The Career Discovery Podcast

Jo Smyth

Welcome to The Career Discovery Podcast!
A platform dedicated to helping young people broaden their career horizons through insightful, inspiring and empowering conversations with experts in their fields.
Our hope is that by sharing conversations like these, we can demystify careers that may be confusing, give young people access to careers that may seem out of reach and expose them to careers that may be invisible.
By doing so, we aim to help young people from all backgrounds broaden their career horizons and discover their professional potential.
Ready to explore limitless possibilities? Tune in now and embark on your journey of career discovery!
https://linktr.ee/thecareerdiscoverypodcast

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Top 10 The Career Discovery Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Career Discovery Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Career Discovery Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Career Discovery Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

What Is a Career in Advertising Client Services Like? In Conversation with a Client Services Director

The Career Discovery Podcast

05/17/23 • 94 min

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

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What Is a Career in Digital Marketing Like? In Conversation with a Digital Marketing Manager

The Career Discovery Podcast

05/10/23 • 111 min

On the show today we meet Grace! Grace works as a Digital Marketing Manager in the asset management/investment management industry in the UK.
Grace kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (4:22)

Common misconceptions of the digital marketing manager role
An insight into the structure of a digital marketing team and how it fits into the broader marketing team
An overview of the asset management/investment management industry
The purpose of the digital marketing manager role
What a digital marketing manager does on an average day
Specialist tools:
- WordPress web content management system (CMS)
- Adobe Analytics
- Salesforce
- Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (54:36)

How Grace became a digital marketing manager from aspiring TV chef and speech & language therapist
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Proudest moments of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:33:40)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring digital marketing professionals
The future of the digital marketing profession
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in digital marketing:
- Google Digital Garage
- Digital Marketing Podcast
Advice for her younger self and you!

We also talk about:

The power of collaboration
The importance of trusting yourself
The value of talking to people and asking for help
Saying yes to opportunities
Being open to change, embracing it and reframing it as an opportunity

So if you’re curious and wondering what a digital marketing manager does or how to become a digital marketing manager or you just want to be inspired! Listen, watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

What Is a Career in General Counsel Like? In Conversation with a General Counsel & Chief Legal Officer

The Career Discovery Podcast

05/03/23 • 80 min

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:
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

What Is a Career in Internal Audit Like? In Conversation with a Chief Internal Audit Officer

The Career Discovery Podcast

04/26/23 • 135 min

On the show today we meet Kate! Kate works as a Chief Internal Audit Officer in the financial services industry in the UK.
Kate kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (02:51)

Common misconceptions of the internal audit role
An overview of the financial services industry: retail banks & building societies
The purpose of the internal audit role
Internal audit versus external audit
An overview of the typical roles within an internal audit department
What a chief internal audit officer does on an average day
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (44:54)

How Kate became a chief internal audit officer from aspiring doctor
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:59:21)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring internal audit professionals
The future of the internal audit profession
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in the internal audit profession:
- The Institute of Internal Auditors
Advice for her younger self and you!

Other resources:

Love and Work – Marcus Buckingham
What if I Say the Wrong Thing – Vernā̄. Myers
Daring Greatly – Brené Brown

We also talk about:

Having the courage to make tough decisions
The importance of choosing a company and culture where you can be yourself
Managing imposter syndrome
The importance of taking risks and putting yourself in the ‘arena’
Knowing and believing in your own value and worth

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

What Is a Career in Logistics Management Like? In Conversation with a Managing Director for Retail

The Career Discovery Podcast

04/19/23 • 84 min

On the show today we meet Natalie! Natalie works as a Managing Director for Retail in the logistics industry in the UK.

Natalie kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise - logistics management (03:39)

Common misconceptions of the logistics management role
An overview of the logistics industry
The purpose of the logistics management role
An overview of the typical roles within a logistics company/department
What a managing director for retail does on an average day
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (33:17)

How Natalie became a managing director for retail from not knowing what she wanted to do
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:08:21)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring logistics management professionals
The future of the logistics management profession
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in the logistics management profession:
- Generation Logistics
Advice for her younger self and you!

We also talk about:

Navigating steep learning curves
How to approach mentoring
Building a network to support your career development
Learning from failure
Sustainability
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Why it’s okay not to have a plan

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

What Is a Career in Sovereign Analysis Like? In Conversation with a Sovereign Analyst

The Career Discovery Podcast

04/12/23 • 82 min

On the show today we meet Biola! Biola works as a Sovereign Analyst in the Asset Management/Investment Management industry in the UK.
Biola kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (05:41)

Common misconceptions of the sovereign analyst role
An overview of the asset management/investment management industry
The purpose of the sovereign analyst role
What a sovereign analyst does on an average day
Specialist tools:
- Bloomberg
- Macrobond
- Excel
- R
- EViews
- Python
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (30:14)

How Biola became a sovereign analyst from wanting to be a lawyer as a child
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Proudest moments of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (58:25)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring sovereign analysts
The future of the sovereign analysis profession
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in sovereign analysis:
- Financial Times
- The Undercover Economist - Tim Harford
- IMF
Advice for her younger self and you!

Other references:

We also talk about:

Finding your passion and knowing when you have found it
Finding a mentor and getting the most out of the mentoring relationship
The value of extra-curricular activities at work for growth, development and raising your profile
The importance of values alignment and happiness in career decision making
Rejection and the importance of courage, tenacity, resilience and self-belief

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

What Is a Career in Counselling & Psychotherapy Like? In Conversation with a Counsellor & Psychotherapist

The Career Discovery Podcast

04/05/23 • 79 min

On the show today we meet Mike! Mike works as a Counsellor & Psychotherapist in the healthcare sector in the UK.

Mike kindly shares with us:

Area of expertise (03:59)

Common misconceptions of the counsellor & psychotherapist roles
An overview of the counselling & psychotherapy industry
The purpose of counselling & psychotherapy
What a counsellor & psychotherapist does on an average day
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (19:20)

How Mike became a counsellor & psychotherapist from aspiring actor and established IT professional
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Proudest moments of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (49:46)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring counsellors & psychotherapists
The future of the counselling & psychotherapy profession
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in counselling & psychotherapy
Advice for his younger self and you!

We also talk about:

Financial security in career decision making
Navigating a mid-career change and re-training
Pursuing passion, purpose and career fulfilment
The importance of continuous learning
Setting boundaries to prevent burnout
The power of self-reflection and self-awareness
Imposter syndrome and fear of failure
Taking a leap of faith

So if you’re curious and wondering what a counsellor & psychotherapist does or how to become a counsellor & psychotherapist or you just want to be inspired - listen or watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

What is a Career in HR Like? In Conversation with an HR Consultancy Business Owner

The Career Discovery Podcast

03/29/23 • 68 min

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

What is a Career in Social Media Marketing like? In Conversation with a Social Media Consultant

The Career Discovery Podcast

03/15/23 • 91 min

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

What Is a Career as an Entrepreneur Like? In Conversation with a Social Entrepreneur

The Career Discovery Podcast

05/31/23 • 108 min

#26 - On the show today we meet Alex!
Alex works as a Social Entrepreneur in the UK.

Alex kindly shares with us:
Area of expertise (02:54)

Common misconceptions of the entrepreneur role
An overview of the entrepreneurial landscape
The purpose of the entrepreneur role
The differences between the roles of founder, entrepreneur and CEO
What an entrepreneur does on an average day
Most enjoyable parts of the role
Challenging parts of the role
Proudest moments in the role

Career journey (50:03)

How Alex became an entrepreneur from not knowing what he wanted to do
Highs of the career journey
Challenges of the career journey
Importance of role models and mentors

Advice (01:33:59)

Helpful education, training and skills for aspiring entrepreneurs
The future of the entrepreneurship
Advice and resources for people who are keen to find out more about a career in entrepreneurship:
- My First Million Podcast
- The Purposeful Project
Advice for his younger self and you!

We also talk about:

Social entrepreneurship, ESG and sustainability
The power of self-awareness
Navigating overwhelm and burnout
The importance of knowing and upholding your values
Embracing failure, resilience and tenacity

So if you’re curious and wondering what an entrepreneur does or how to become an entrepreneur or if you just want to be inspired ~ listen or watch and enjoy!
→ Show notes

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FAQ

How many episodes does The Career Discovery Podcast have?

The Career Discovery Podcast currently has 51 episodes available.

What topics does The Career Discovery Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Career Advice, Career Coaching, Career Development, Podcasts, Education, Business, Careers and Career Change.

What is the most popular episode on The Career Discovery Podcast?

The episode title 'Timeless Insights #6: From Our Conversation With an Architect' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on The Career Discovery Podcast?

The average episode length on The Career Discovery Podcast is 77 minutes.

How often are episodes of The Career Discovery Podcast released?

Episodes of The Career Discovery Podcast are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of The Career Discovery Podcast?

The first episode of The Career Discovery Podcast was released on Dec 24, 2022.

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The Career Discovery Podcast

Jo Smyth

Top 10 The Career Discovery Podcast Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does The Career Discovery Podcast have?

What topics does The Career Discovery Podcast cover?

What is the most popular episode on The Career Discovery Podcast?

What is the average episode length on The Career Discovery Podcast?

How often are episodes of The Career Discovery Podcast released?

When was the first episode of The Career Discovery Podcast?

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