Sylvia started her career in education as a teacher. She has taught and managed departments in the primary, secondary and adult sector in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire. For four years, Sylvia worked for the Open College Network in Sheffield becoming head of the Accreditation Team and specialising in ESOL qualifications. Till 2017 she worked as a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, first leading ESOL teacher education and then leading the PG Cert in higher education teaching.

Sylvia left Hallam to concentrate on writing and the second edition of the book she co authored on creative teaching in higher education was published in 2021. Since then she has been working on other creative writing projects.

From 2018 to 2023, Sylvia was on the management group of NATECLA and was also a trustee then Co-Chair of Trustees for a Sheffield based ESOL charity working with volunteers to offer English language support in local communities.

In 2024, Sylvia became a school governor and she is looking forward to working as a trustee for NOCN.