About

How I work

I am trained to work in a client-centred way. I will not tell you what to do or overload you with information. Instead I will listen very carefully to you and your story so that you feel really heard and understood. I will listen for themes and ask you questions that make you think and reflect on yourself. I will challenge your ideas for realism without squashing your dreams. Active listening is a highly skilled activity and through it you will gain clarity of thought and insights into yourself that might surprise you. We may use simple activities and exercises to help with your thinking, reflect on yourself and to generate ideas. I will encourage you to be proactive, to think of different ways to obtain information and to use your network of contacts to help you achieve your goals.

Why choose me….

I am highly qualified…

I completed the MA Career Management programme at Canterbury Christ Church University achieving a Distinction in the Qualification in Career Guidance (QCG, Level 7)) and am on the Register of Career Development Professionals (RCDP). This means I have a rigorous academic understanding of career theory and am highly trained in career guidance skills. I am also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with a Distinction in the Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel and Development (MCIPD). I adhere to the CDI’s Code of Ethics and continue to develop my practice through CPD, reading widely to keep abreast of labour market developments and to indulge my fascination with psychology and coaching techniques.

My first degree was in Geography and I have an MSc in Environmental Policy, awarded by Imperial College. My academic qualifications reflect my 3 passions in life – learning, understanding people and the natural world!

I understand what it is like to struggle with career decisions

I faced a lot of adversity early in my life. This led me to make poor career decisions, to choose security over fulfilment. My confidence and self-awareness were low and I lacked guidance and support. I found my path eventually, but not without a struggle and a great deal of personal exploration. I believe these experiences make me uniquely able to understand and empathise with the difficulties people have with career decision making. My career journey helped me recognise that my ability to build relationships with people is my greatest asset. I love to use this to help people recognise and value their own strengths and skills and fathom out the right path for them too.

I have wide ranging and relevant experience

My early career was in graduate recruitment and training, followed by a period in environmental education and supporting students with learning difficulties. After a career break I set up and ran an award winning Farmers’ Market, a project which required collaboration with a range of partners and which benefitted local producers, charities and groups. These experiences have given me a unique perspective on the challenges people face negotiating today’s fluid and unpredictable employment market. The process of reflecting on myself and my own career journey led me to my current role – one in which I help people to think about these things too. And, having changed direction a couple of times and re-entered the job market after a career break, I know just how scary and confusing this can be. I’ve been there and I can offer the support people need.

For more information about my career history, please look at my Linked In profile…