How did you get started in careers education? 

I spent over two decades in teaching and SEND - working with learners who often felt like they didn’t fit into the “standard” careers narrative. I saw how much these students had to offer, but also how often they were overlooked or underestimated. That made me want to shift the system from the inside. I trained in careers education and started creating content that focuses on the learner - not the labour market.  

What does your freelance work involve now? 

It's diverse! I design inclusive careers curriculum and resources, deliver workshops and staff training, and provide 1:1 support for young people and adults. A significant part is leading Continuous Professional Development (CPD) on careers, particularly for SEND settings. Every project starts from the belief that every learner has potential. 

What truly motivates your work? 

I want every learner, regardless of background or pathway, to feel their voice matters. Careers education should expand options, not narrow them. I'm especially driven by those told they're “not ready” or “not employable” - my job is to prove readiness looks different for everyone. 

Your work philosophy? 

Practical, purposeful, and personalised. It's about giving learners usable tools grounded in their reality. I also inject a lot of creativity - visual resources, story-based activities - to make careers education accessible and engaging, not intimidating. 

Was there a turning point in your career? 

Leaving formal teaching was a big leap. It gave me the freedom to build a practice focused purely on inclusion, prioritising learners often at the margins. Seeing how careers work can build identity, not just prepare for jobs, was another key moment. 

Who or what inspires you? 

Learners who persist despite systemic challenges, educators who fiercely advocate for their students, and colleagues who bring creativity and compassion. I'm also inspired by neurodivergent thinkers – they challenge norms and help build better systems. 

Any favourite theories or frameworks you lean on? 

I favour experiential approaches like the DOTS model, and those that are reflective and scaffolded to help learners make sense of their journey. I also draw on holistic approaches connecting employability with wellbeing and identity, plus inclusive pedagogy and differentiated teaching strategies. 

What does a typical day look like for you? 

There isn't one! It could be co-designing resources with a college, delivering CPD to teachers on integrating careers into subjects like maths, or supporting a learner with EHCP needs on their transition plan. I might also be creating toolkits for local authority teams. It's busy, but it feels right. 

What challenges do you face? 

Navigating funding gaps and short-term contracts. The work is valued, but often not sustainably resourced, which makes building trust difficult. I also constantly push back against outdated assumptions about what learners with additional needs can or should do - a fight I'm always ready for. 

Your top advice for new careers professionals? 

Know your learner - context is everything. Be flexible - one size never fits all. Partner up with educators, families, and local employers - it takes a network. And keep learning, always putting learners first. 

Final thoughts on careers education? 

It's not about filling forms or ticking boxes. It's about belief - helping someone believe they can, even if they've been told they can't. If we achieve that, we're doing the work that truly matters.