I have worked for over 20 years exclusively in the Careers Industry and have had the privilege of working with many awesome people, offering one to one career support and running workshops for a wide variety of clients. I have extensive experience in career counselling and coaching, career transition, change management, coaching in job search and interview techniques, and writing CVs. I am passionate about careers and supporting individuals in their quest to find the path that is best suited to them.
Clients range from young adults in early career decision making, job seekers, career changers and those facing transition, helping them to come to terms with the next chapter in their life.
Why do I do the work that I do? Because of my dad.
My dad was intelligent, well read and knowledgeable. He had a wicked sense of humour, and would do anything for anyone. He was made to leave school before he had the chance to get any qualifications, and although he trained as a draftsperson, teaching woodwork skills to students, and creating furniture, I always knew him as owning and running a Lawn Mower Business, selling and repairing mowers.
Dad was a creative, gentle, caring and very generous soul. His passion was creating beautiful furniture which he certainly had the talent for. But his main focus was working hard in a business that had little to do with his passion. His sensitive personality opened him up to self doubt, continuous questioning and never feeling like he was good enough. He was never a successful businessman but worked many long hours and yet felt like a failure.
When your efforts are focussed in the area that does not give you energy and support who you are, there are inevitable consequences. Dad had two serious mental breakdowns requiring shock therapy and he died suddenly 34 years ago.
At the heart of my practice is the belief that by understanding and honouring who you are, what energises you, what environment supports you to work in the best way possible, and what tasks excite you, you will be able to make good decisions for yourself.
I originally come from Christchurch and completed my BA in Psychology and Masters in Industrial Psychology at Canterbury University, before moving to Wellington. There I worked in Human Resources and Productivity in the services and manufacturing industries before taking time off to raise my 2 children. Moving to Auckland presented me with an opportunity to study the Graduate Certificate in Career Development at AUT and set up my own business in Careers. I have since lectured on this qualification at AUT, worked for three years as a career counsellor at UNITEC, set up and ran a post graduate research career programme at Macquarie University in Sydney, worked in private practice and contracted to outplacement consultants.I am an active member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand, being a professional member for over 20 years, now a Fellow, and have served on the local and National Executive Committee. I was part of the Professionalism Project, leading the team working on bringing Professional Standards to the Career Industry. I am also a Certified Career Coach, and belong to the International Coaching Federation and CATE.
There is no way I could do this work effectively without having faced my own transitions. I lost not only my dad but also my mum suddenly 34 years ago. I have had to start over many times, having lived in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Sydney. I have also experienced redundancy and returned to paid work after 5 years of being a full time mum. Both times with confidence at an all time low.
I love what I do – being able to help a person who might have no idea of what they want to do, maybe having lost their way, or are at the stage of reinventing themselves, not always by choice. The best part is being able to give hope, showing there are options and answers and ways to make the life that they would like possible.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Arts (Hons.) in Industrial Psychology
- Graduate Certificate in Career Development
- Certified Coach
- Accredited Administrator of Myers Briggs Type Indicator & DISC Instruments
- Fellow of Career Development Association of New Zealand (FMCDANZ)
- Member of Career and Transition Education Association (CATE)