Tyra Tucker

Tyra is the Senior Ministerial Visit and Events Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions. She collaborates with various groups such as policy teams, press offices, frontline services, businesses and organisations to identify and plan ministerial visits and events that align with department policy and priorities.

Transition to university life

Originally from the USA, Tyra always aspired to live and study in the UK. This dream was realised when she started studying International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Derby. During her time at Derby, she created new friendships whilst discovering how hard work and the right opportunities could turn her goals into reality.

Tyra is very proud of the resilience she showed when facing a range of challenges during her university years when she learned the profound importance of believing in herself. More importantly, she discovered the value of self-care, recognising that focusing on her mental and physical well-being was essential to achieving her goals.

Career progression opportunities

Whilst completing her degree, Tyra engaged extensively with the University’s  Careers and Employability. One of the most impactful experiences was participating in the Be The Boss programme. This initiative ignited her entrepreneurial spirit and provided her with invaluable lessons in business management and leadership.

Through the Be the Boss programme, Tyra launched her own website business, Culture Scoop, which allowed her to hire and mentor four interns and create engaging content. This experience was instrumental in developing Tyra’s skills in entrepreneurship, strategic planning and team management. It taught her how to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and drive her business forward.

"The skills and knowledge from my degree have been very useful in my current role. My studies fuelled my passion for digital and public diplomacy, teaching me how to use different communication tools to engage with diverse audiences and share important messages."

Taking part in numerous internships further reinforced her ability to manage projects, build professional relationships and adapt to dynamic environments. These experiences, coupled with the support from the University, have been pivotal in shaping her career and entrepreneurial journey.

Advice for current students

Tyra advises current students to balance their academic endeavours with building a strong CV and exploring personal and professional interests. Tyra believes it is important for students to utilise their time at university to experience new interests whilst working hard and staying dedicated.

For students aiming to have a role in the Civil Service, Tyra highlights the importance of being adaptable and strategic whilst being able to adjust to new situations.

" I encourage students to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills as you will interact with various people. Stay updated by reading multiple news sources and tracking parliamentary activities to gain a clear view of how policies are crafted and their effects. This knowledge will enhance your effectiveness in the role."

Career journey

Since graduating her biggest success has been the breadth and depth of experience that she gained both academically and professionally. After completing her studies at University of Derby, she pursued a postgraduate degree at Oxford University.

Currently, she serves as an Executive Committee Member and Event-Coordinator for Young Diplomats in London where she facilitates connections within London’s diplomatic community and hosts events across the city.

As a civil servant, she had the privilege of supporting the delivery of the first-ever AI Summit where she interacted with technology influencers and was in the same room as Elon Musk and numerous world leaders.

Future aspirations

Moving forward, Tyra has several exciting projects in progress and personal goals she is eager to pursue. Tyra is open to new opportunities and she looks forward to developing her ideas over the coming months and years.