So the holidays are over, the new year has begun and we’re back to work/academia.  For some there will be renewed energy, either in their current work, or to make that change that they’ve been putting off ad infinitum.  There are lots of articles focusing on those people. For many of us though work will seem more a less of a trudge, the same-old-same-old, that … Continue reading Keep on keeping on

At a recent informal managers’ forum I noticed that the discussion wasn’t around strategy, tactics, achievements or success, it was about coping.  The discussions were around managing within the maelstrom of stuff that happens in our VUCA world.  And what were they aiming to achieve?  Happiness? Self-actualisation? No, something that “would do”, that was “OK”, that they were “content” to accept, that were the results … Continue reading Coping to Achieve Contentment

On Wednesday I was in the audience at a conference when my excellent colleagues, Dan & Sarah, presented how Henley Careers helps post-graduate students achieve their career goals.  One of the pillars of the strategy they talked through was Enabling Professional Readiness. But what is Professional Readiness? Is sitting at your desk, twiddling your hair & watching last night’s Love Island on your PC professional? … Continue reading Ready for anything

There are lots of people starting, or about to start, new jobs in new employers.  For some it will be a first job, or at least a first ‘real job’ – which just means the first job on a career path, rather than just a job that pays.I’m mentioning this because the other day I heard someone say that they wouldn’t mix with the receptionist, … Continue reading It’s who you know that counts – who = everyone.

“I wouldn’t have panicked and took the first opportunity that came my way” was the response a current placement student gave me this week when I asked him what he would do differently with respect to his placement year. This is really important advice at this time of the year, and not just for those students at the end of the 2nd year undergraduate degree … Continue reading Don’t Panic