Dive into your Career

"Saluting Our Sisters" is the theme of Black History Month 2023 in the UK. This has inspired today's topic of the Dive Into Your Career podcast - "32 awesome UK-connected black and mixed heritage women to follow on LinkedIn" (Part 1). *** (Please note that since recording this episode - the total number of number of women mentioned in these 3 episodes will be 32) In this e...

How do I make new friends? What is the accommodation like? How does cleaning work in halls? Conversations about creating a positive start to the new academic year are taking place far and wide - and while not all of these questions above are addressed - this 2-part episode episode highlighting "10 ways to have a positive start to the new academic year" is my contribution. Listen to Part...

Happy New Year! Okay okay... that's not quite right. Happy New ACADEMIC year! (If you're listening in real time), it is September - and it's back to school season, whether you are heading back to secondary school or starting / returning to university.  New academic years are so full of promise, but also before you get into the swing of things, can be nerve wracking and uncertain - e...

If you, or anyone you know is in a situation where it recently became apparent that your "Plan A" wasn't going to happen as you hoped - then this will be a useful episode for you.  Inspired by A-Level (& GCSE) results season, this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast gives some food for thought and specific ideas around how to change direction and create a new vision for...

As we enter A-Level results day 2023, my mind and heart goes out to students around the U.K. and globally who follow the British system, with their own hearts in their throats right now. On the cusp of greatness (whether or not they achieve their grades) and soon to realise whether the expectation and hope they have for themselves for their immediate next chapter is to be realised as they envision...

In the 100th episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast (that's right - 100... woohoo!!!) and today we are focusing on "8 ways to dive into your career which will improve your life and make your career journey more fun".  At Your Career And Future, it's my mission to support students and graduates on their journey from education to employment (and entrepreneurship) in a spiri...

Hello. Helloooooo?! Anybody there?! If you are a subscriber / regular listener to the podcast (and huge thank you if you are!) - you may have been knocking on my podcast door and asking this question. It has been over a month since I published my last episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast. Not great (says my inner critic) for someone who intends to publish one podcast episode per week. But...

How do I figure out what I want to do with my life? This is a big, important question that many students and graduates grapple with on their journey from education to employment. Sometimes, the magnitude can result in overwhelm, uncertainty and even shame - none of which are helpful in moving forward positively. So  in this episode of the Dive Into Your Career career coach Gina Visram recommends 5...

"Whether you think you can or think you can't... you're right." This quote from Henry Ford is one of my favourites and is a brilliant embodiment of "mindset" - the focus of today's podcast episode.  In my experience of working with 3000+ students and graduates and indeed in my experience as a human being(!) - I have recognised the importance of mindset on the pro...

Ever found it tricky to secure work experience? Difficult? Ooooh.... "impossible" you say? If it is feeling like you are not having any success finding work experience, this  episode - "How to secure work experience when you have given up hope"  is for you. I'm Gina Visram - a career coach and consultant who wears multiple careers support 'hats' in varying settin...

Got an interview coming up? Chances are there will be some "competency questions" as part of the interview process.  What is a competency question?  You have come to the right place to find out all about this popular method of asking interview questions... and indeed about the STAR technique / method - the recommended way to answer questions of this nature.  In this episode of the Dive I...

Got an interview coming up? Congratulations!  What sort of questions might they ask you? While it isn't beneficial to  prepare excessively - to the stage of being inauthentic and overly rehearsed, it is also essential to do your homework ahead of any interviews so that you can truly shine. In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, I talk to you about 7 common interview questions a...

Do you get in your own head about interviews? Tell yourself that you don't enjoy them? Or complain that it's a stupid process? You may even have told yourself "I'll never be good at interviews". That thinking is unlikely to get you the job or opportunity you are seeking because as per one of those famous Henry Ford quotes " Whether you think you can , or you think you...

What GCSEs should I choose?  What if I make the wrong choices? The stage at which you choose your GCSEs is often the first (of many) choices you will be making and it can feel daunting!  Check out this episode to hear more about some of the elements which can help you with these choices!  (And good luck - you've got this!) Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of t...

Students and graduates... Do you want your career to be a happy one? (If your situation is one in which you are working to be able to earn... That question ultimately equates to saying, "Do you want to be happy in your day to day life?!") Not sure I know anyone who would answer "no" to that question - yet jobs and careers can often slip into unsatisfying and mundane territory. ...

Should you keep your dreams and goals a secret?  Inspired by a TikTok I saw this week in which the creator was talking about "6 things you should always keep private" - a list upon which "your dreams and goals" was at the top - this week's episode of the Dive Into Your Career considers that perspective.  Should we be secretive about our dreams and goals?  Does the risk of...

Chances are, in the coming years there will be many... I mean MANY things for which you will be applying. Think about it... sixth form / college work experience  volunteering roles leadership positions / positions of responsibility university  apprenticeships  internships  placement year / year in industry jobs (part time / full time / graduate) ... and this is not an exhaustive list!  As such, it...

Are you at a stage where you are looking to achieve something important?  This episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast may be the boost you need.  "8 inspiring quotes about goals and goal setting" delivers what it promises and features goal setting quotes from Oprah Winfrey, C.S Lewis, Jim Rohn, Michelle Obama and more.  Which ones feel particularly relevant for and / or encouraging...

Happy New Year!  Well, Happy New Year if you are listening in real time... and all the best if you are listening at another time of year - because, well, setting goals at any time of year can be a good thing.  Do you like the energy of New Years resolutions? Or does it feel icky / counterproductive or like you are setting yourself up to fail?  Do the statistics about the failure rate of New Years...

What is a digital footprint? Do we all have one? Can it impact my career (positively or negatively)? Is it true that I can lose a job  or opportunity due to my digital footprint The answer to the last two questions is yes yes yes - anyone who uses the internet has a digital footprint. Wikipedia kindly highlights that: " Digital footprint or digital shadow refers to one's unique set of tr...

What is career success, really? The answer to this is a very personal one and it is with that spirit that I invite you explore 12 secrets of career success for students and graduates . Your career goals are specific to you. Not your mum, your dad, your sibling, your cousin... you.  No matter how well intended your supporters are, it's important to be building towards aspirations that resonate...

What A-Levels should I choose? Judging from the recent interactions I have has with many Year 11s (and indeed their parents and supporters), this is a topical question as late in the Autumn (and sometimes at the beginning of the Spring) term, these pupils are contemplating their post-16 plans.  There are so many things to consider and importantly, one of them is that A-Levels are not the only opti...

What is an influencer? How do influencers make money? How can I become an influencer?  Is this a 'legitimate' job? Do influencers only exist in the fashion and beauty world or might they exist in other industries? Can I create an additional income as a content creator without being an influencer myself? If you have ever asked yourself any or all of these questions (whether out loud or in...

If you are aged 14-16 or are the supporter (parent, sibling, aunt or uncle, teacher, careers adviser) of someone who is - this episode is for you. Within the British education system (whether you live in the U.K. or elsewhere), at the age of 16, students sit GCSE (or IGCSE) exams. This is the culmination of five years of secondary education and is the first experience of national exams for most pu...

Volunteering can be one of the most powerful things you do in your early career development. Truly.  Earlier this year I was delighted to speak to David Coles, Volunteer Centre Manager at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) about all things volunteering - and I hope you'll immediately recognise what a 'win win' situation it can be. First things first - a quick...