Simon, aged 30

What triggered you to take up career coaching?

I had gradually and slowly become dissatisfied with my previous career. I felt that I had learnt as much as I could and needed new challenges. I was frankly bored! I tried to find ways of making my current career more interesting within the existing companies and I tried doing the same kind of work in different companies. Neither of these strategies worked so it was time to get some advice and input from another person and to make a change, so I took up career coaching with Figuring Out.

What type of work experience did you try out?

With the help of the coaching sessions and research I undertook as part of my homework, I identified some key areas of interest. Figuring Out connected me to organisations that fitted the bill and after revising my CV with the help of Figuring Out, I went to meet them to discuss work placements.

I quit my job, and took up 3 positions in different areas to experience different career options. These were fantastic opportunities, which included working with Polecat, co-owned by the former Head of Innovation at Microsoft UK; and working on a piece of government research for Freshminds. These positions were a combination of paid and unpaid positions.

How has the overall experience helped you to figure out your next step?

The Figuring Out programme has helped me identify those parts of a job that I do and don’t enjoy and use this knowledge to determine the most suitable career for me. In addition the process of research really gave me a valuable background of information which allowed me to see the ‘wood for the trees’ and gain a clearer view of the paths my career could take. The contacts and network that I have built up in the process have been invaluable for finding interesting and relevant job positions.

Anne, 32

What triggered you to take up career coaching?

I had had a small change in career, in the direction I thought I wanted to go, but it didn’t work out. I wasn’t happy in my job, didn’t know where to go next, and had stopped trusting my own judgement and abilities. I felt I needed to talk to someone professional and unrelated to it all, to get some perspective and advice, and try to figure out a plan of where to go next.    

How has the overall experience helped you to figure out your next step?

The experience was great. I ended up finding a new job durig the process, but I learned to think differently - about my skills and experience, what I had to offer, where I should be directing myself etc. My confidence returned and I learnt about new ideas and developed strategies and plans that I had never even thought about before, and which would enable me think further than the next job and to build my career. I’m happy in my new job - but I also know what I need to do to enable me to progress in the future.  

Ele, aged 24

What triggered you to take up career coaching?

I had some ideas of what I enjoyed doing and what I wanted from a job, but didn’t have a clear idea of what sort of role and company would suit me best. I also wanted a kick start to help me move forward in the best way to find a job that suited me

What type of work experience did you try out?

Figuring Out gave me loads of ideas of companies to contact to arrange work expereince. They also showed me how useful a few days voluntary work, shadowing or even a tour of a company can really help to see whether the type of company and work might suit. My eyes were opened to the huge opportunities available to try different types of work.

How has the overall experience helped you to figure out your next step?

My career coach was very helpful in helping me to see trends in the work I had already done and highlighting where my skills lay. This helped me not only to focus my job hunting on relevant jobs but also to tailor my CV to highlight my best skills. I’m now employed in a company that has a product I am passionate about. It matches my values as well as my working style and I am thoroughly enjoying myself!

Leo, aged 24

What triggered you to take up career coaching?

I was to looking to focus my thoughts in which areas of business I would like to work, and specifically interested in the field of social enterprise. I was looking to make contacts and perhaps to find a job in this way. the services offered by Figuring Out seemed both impressive and unique.

How has the programme helped you?

The coaching was useful in helping me identify my goals. My Coach connected me to MDs of some interesting small companies, including Eudemonic and Nubastar and Being Elemental relevant to my interests within the creative arts and events, and I had a great time learning about their various projects.

How has the overall experience helped you to figure out your next step?

I would say the entire experience has been very valuable to make contacts and give me an insight into aspects of the world of business generally to help me with my career. I am now considering my next steps in more detail.

Nick, aged 32

What triggered you to take up career coaching?

I wasn’t completed satisfied in my career as I was something missing in my full-time job.  I was keen to start a new social enterprise project that would fulfil this gap and complement my existing job. Having a solely corporate background meant that some of these business planning skills were either lacking or not developed to the extent necessary to give me total confidence on what to do next.

How has the programme helped you?

The coaching helped me to research and identify the project to take forward. She also helped me focus on what was essential and what was not at the right times and set me really useful tight deadlines and review meetings. As part of the added value my coach also had a wealth of expertise and specialist knowledge in the social enterprise sector and was really highly networked.

How has the overall experience helped you to figure out your next step?

The social venture I embarked on involved educating children with behavioral problems through sport. We have run one successful course and plan more in 2009. Whilst it’s not a thriving enterprise it works as an off the shelf toolkit that sports clubs can use to engage with local schools and communities. I have also moved on to work more in a coaching mentoring environment in the area of sustainability. This was also inspired by the process.