My early career
I have always worked in customer-focused roles and enjoy delivering great service. My first job was in a Lillywhites sports shop in Nottingham, where I was a customer sales assistant, but my early career also included waitressing and a customer support role at a Land Rover call centre. I like environments where you can build and maintain relationships, whether that’s with customers, partner organisations or agencies, and whether it’s face-to-face or more about knowing that your work helps people. In that sense I’ve been quite lucky in my career – it brings to mind the “planned happenstance” career theory. I’ve found opportunities to work to my strengths and was always quick to recognise what I enjoy about my positions. Ultimately, I’ve ended up doing a job I love because I like helping people.
Finding my calling
My first experience working with young people and careers advice was when I joined a careers advisory company in 2003. I joined as a team administrator because that’s what I thought I wanted to do. My mum had worked in an office and I had been around that kind of environment so it made sense for me to get an admin role.
I was surrounded by careers advisers who were delivering guidance to young people in schools. It was a bit of a “Eureka!” moment, because what I saw appealed to me. I was often the first port of call for the young people supported by the organisation; if they came into the office or called, it was me they spoke to first. Once I realised that this was what I wanted, becoming a career adviser for young people was the next step.
Developing as a careers professional
I got the opportunity to work with schools directly when I supported careers advisers, and embraced it. I supported 16- to 19-year-olds who were not in education, employment or training, helping them with job searches, claiming benefits and applying for training. Whenever I secured training opportunities for them I would often attend to make sure they were okay.
I spent time as an AimHigher personal adviser, where I supported young people and students into higher education. AimHigher helped to raise aspirations in individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and in areas where young people wouldn’t generally consider university, and I found it very rewarding.
Achieving a world first
When I joined Adviza in 2017, I worked alongside partners, managing a caseload of customers, identifying barriers to progression and making referrals. Adviza supported me through my Level 6 careers development professional qualification which has only recently become available as an apprenticeship – in fact, I was the first person ever to complete it! I couldn’t have done it without amazing support from my apprenticeship coach and the fantastic and passionate Adviza team.
I was able apply my learning immediately. For my research project I focused on Adviza’s digital delivery of careers guidance services. I enjoyed helping to further develop an essential service and have been promoted to digital services lead. It involves a lot of planning, ensuring young people, schools and adults have access to our digital resources, and understanding the needs of customers so we can provide the best possible support.
TOP THREE CAREER TIPS
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Find something you’re passionate about. I really enjoy helping people make good career choices, so I relish everything about my role, including the challenges.
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Learn from the people around you. Never be scared to ask for support and take every opportunity to learn from your peers.
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Embrace new challenges. Growing your remit helps you grow as a professional and ultimately everyone benefits. Keep adding to your skillset and your value.
