Georgina Sharpe joined the Summer Opening team as a Warden in July 2005, after being alerted of the position by Central Lancashire University Job Shop.  After a successful first season, Georgina accepted the offer to return as a Warden during the 2006 Summer Opening of the State Rooms.  Having graduated with a degree in Creative Advertising and completed two summer contracts, Georgina successfully applied for a position within the Royal Household, which she took up in November.

I worked as a 'Stand By' Warden during my time with the Summer Opening team, which meant that each morning, following a team briefing, I would be allocated to a particular Warden activity.  One day I would be meeting and greeting visitors from all over the world at the Visitor Entrance and the next I could be issuing audio tour equipment for the State Rooms.  Such a varied role can be challenging.  You are often thrown into situations at the drop of a hat - for example, I was once taken out of morning briefing and asked to show the Lord Chamberlain around!  Such a challenge is really enjoyable, and the variety of the position is great!

I got great satisfaction when assigned to the Visitor Entrance.  It was very interactive, and you work on rotation basis - for example, you will spend half an hour collecting tickets, followed by half an hour monitoring the queue, followed by half an hour offering information to visitors.  We worked very closely with the Ticket Sales team, which was great.

One of the highlights of each day was lunch - we were always put on lunch breaks with other team members, so it was a bit of a catch-up session with your friends.  The food is great, and it is much appreciated after a hard morning's work.  The best part about working for the Summer Opening has to be the environment itself - Buckingham Palace really is an amazing venue to work at, and it's so refreshing to work in a role where every day is different.  But what really made my time special were the people I worked with - you all start together and because of the way you work you really do operate like one huge family.  Away from the actual work, we always made an effort to socialise together - every night there is something going on to join in with.

It is because of all these factors - the versatility, the environment and the people that I jumped at the opportunity to return for the 2006 season.  It seemed silly to look for another summer role when I could return to this one.

Having graduated last June, I decided that it was time to start thinking about my career.  A vacancy within the Household came up which interested me - it was a fixed-term placement working for the Visitor Office and Personnel Department.  Having enjoyed my time here so much, I decided to apply for it.  Following two interviews I was thrilled to be offered the position, which I have now been in for just over a month.  I'm not sure what my next step will be, for the moment I'm just enjoying doing what I'm doing!