The Career Discovery Podcast

Welcome to our special summer series, where we're embarking on a journey back in time to explore some of the key moments and timeless insights from our previous episodes.

This week, we're turning back the clock to our very first episode and revisiting our enlightening conversation with Aline, a remarkable data scientist in the pharmaceutical industry based in Switzerland.

In this episode, we'll revisit an array of themes, including:

• Navigating networking and enhancing connections through extracurricular activities
• Embracing cultural awareness in networking and uncovering some global nuances
• Unlocking your potential by harnessing the power of transferable skills
• Turning setbacks into opportunities and embracing failure as a catalyst for growth
• Harmonizing diversity for success and tapping into the strengths of team variability
• Exploring curiosity, emotional intelligence and values
• Strategies for in-depth research and self-discovery in the realm of career paths
• Lessons from the journey: Insights Aline and I wish we knew earlier in our careers
• Breaking free from perfection and embracing your unique path to fulfilment

This episode takes a departure from our usual format to offer you a rich compilation of insights. It's a chance to rekindle the wisdom shared by Aline. As always, expect a sprinkle of final words of wisdom and encouragement that encapsulate the spirit of this series!

Join us as we revisit the past to enrich your present and future endeavours.

→ Show notes, links & more

***
Thanks so much for listening, we really hope you enjoyed the show!
If you found this episode valuable, please help us spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and giving us a 5-star review.
And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch using the links below, we would love to hear from you!
Instagram
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Coaching, newsletter, website & more!
If you prefer to watch the show, our episodes are available on YouTube too.

On the show today we meet Merope! Merope works as a Client Services Director in the advertising industry in the UK.
Merope kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (02:51)

• Common misconceptions of the client services director role
• Insights into an advertising agency – typical workflow, departments & the myriad of roles
• An overview of the advertising industry
• The purpose of the client services director role
• What a client services director does on an average day
• Most enjoyable parts of the role
• Challenging parts of the role
• Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (37:03)

• How Merope became a client services director without a career plan
• Highs of the career journey
• Challenges of the career journey
• Proudest moments of the career journey
• Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:14:20)

• Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring client services directors and advertising professionals
• The future of the advertising profession
• Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in advertising:
  • Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA)
• Advice for her younger self and you!

We also talk about:

• Following your instincts and trying different things until you find the thing you love
• Managing your personal brand at work
• Navigating salary increases and mentors
• The value of continuous learning
• The importance of culture and being able to bring your whole self to work
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the industry
• Presenting and public speaking – skills that can be nurtured and developed

So if you’re curious and wondering what a client services director does or how to become a client services director, or if you just want to be inspired ~ listen, watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

***
Thanks so much for listening, we really hope you enjoyed the show!
If you found this episode valuable, please help us spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and giving us a 5-star review.
And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch using the links below, we would love to hear from you!
Instagram
LinkedIn
Coaching, newsletter, website & more!
If you prefer to watch the show, our episodes are available on YouTube too.

On the show today we meet Katie! Katie works as a General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer in the investment management industry in the UK.

Katie kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (02:36)

• Common misconceptions of the general counsel role
• An overview of the investment management industry
• The purpose of the general counsel role
• An overview of the typical roles within an in-house legal department
• What a general counsel does on an average day
• Most enjoyable parts of the role
• Challenging parts of the role
• Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (22:29)

• How Katie became a general counsel from aspiring vicar
• Highs of the career journey
• Challenges of the career journey
• Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:11:27)

• Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring legal professionals
• The future of the legal profession
• Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in the legal profession:
  • The Law Society
  • Solicitors Regulation Authority
  • The Bar Council
• Advice for her younger self and you!

Other resources:

• Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life – Héctor García & Francesc Miralles

We also talk about:

• The legal profession more broadly:
  • In house legal versus private practice
  • Law firms – typical types, structures and services
  • Solicitors, Solicitor Advocates & Barristers
• The Japanese concept of ‘ikigai’
• Why it’s okay not to have a plan
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
• The importance of staying open and curious

So if you’re curious and wondering what a general counsel does or how to become a general counsel or you just want to be inspired – listen or watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

***
Thanks so much for listening, we really hope you enjoyed the show!
If you found this episode valuable, please help us spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and giving us a 5-star review.
And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch using the links below, we would love to hear from you!
Instagram
LinkedIn
Coaching, newsletter, website & more!
If you prefer to watch the show, our episodes are available on YouTube too.

On the show today we meet Karen! Karen works as a Human Resources (HR) Consultancy Business Owner in the UK.

Karen kindly shares with us...
Area of expertise (3:00)

• Common misconceptions of the HR role
• An overview of the HR industry and typical roles within an HR department
• The purpose of the HR role
• What an HR consultancy business owner does on an average day
• Most enjoyable parts of the role
• Challenging parts of the role
• Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (19:48)

• How Karen became an HR consultancy business owner from aspiring Pan’s People dancer & PE teacher
• Highs of the career journey
• Challenges of the career journey
• Proudest moments of the career journey
• Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (51:14)

• Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring HR professionals
• The future of the HR profession
• Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in HR:
  • Disruptive HR
  • HR Disrupted – Lucy Adams
• Advice for her younger self and you!

Other resources:

• The Top Regrets of the Dying - Bronnie Ware

We also talk about:

• The advantage of surrounding yourself with positive people
• The benefit of transferable and in-demand skills
• The value of getting a foot in the door and learning on the job
• The power of humility, curiosity and continuous learning
• The importance of believing in yourself
• Getting out of your comfort zone

So if you’re curious and wondering what an HR professional does or how to become an HR professional, listen, watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

***
Thanks so much for listening, we really hope you enjoyed the show!
If you found this episode valuable, please help us spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and giving us a 5-star review.
And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch using the links below, we would love to hear from you!
Instagram
LinkedIn
Coaching, newsletter, website & more!
If you prefer to watch the show, our episodes are available on YouTube too.

On the show today we meet Louise! Louise works as a Social Media Consultant in the media & communications industry in the UK.

Louise kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (02:34)

• Common misconceptions of the social media consultant role
• An overview of the social media marketing industry
• The purpose of the social media consultant role
• What a social media consultant does on an average day
• Most enjoyable parts of the role
• Challenging parts of the role
• Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (30:46)

• How Louise became a social media consultant from not knowing what she wanted to do
• Highs of the career journey
• Challenges of the career journey
• Proudest moments of the career journey
• Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:12:11)

• Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring social media marketing professionals
• The future of the social media marketing profession
• Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in social media marketing:
  • The Chartered Institute of Marketing
• Advice for her younger self and you!

Definitions:

• VA – Virtual Assistant

Other references:

• Jim Collins – Bug Book

We also talk about:

• Networking nerves
• Imposter syndrome
• The power of transferable skills
• ‘Listening’ to what excites you and connecting the dots
• The importance of staying curious – listening, learning, up-skilling, asking questions
• The value of building solid foundations before specialising
• Facing your fears, the ego and receiving feedback as a gift
• Taking control of your own destiny
• The importance of believing in yourself

So if you’re curious and wondering what a social media consultant does or how to become social media consultant, listen, watch and enjoy!
→ Episode page

***
Thanks so much for listening, we really hope you enjoyed the show!
If you found this episode valuable, please help us spread the word by subscribing to the podcast and giving us a 5-star review.
And if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please get in touch using the links below, we would love to hear from you!
Instagram
LinkedIn
Coaching, newsletter, website & more!
If you prefer to watch the show, our episodes are available on YouTube too.