The Career Sessions

Marion is the “Chief Trailblazer” at Extraordinary Project Management and is known as the Mary Poppins of Project Management, we can see why! Marion’s career journey started as a graduate of Zoology with her first career move in Pharmaceuticals, where she gained a strong grounding in the business world.  She progressed quite quickly into senior IT roles and then found her key strengths in managing and leading programmes and projects across a wide range of organisations. One of Marion’s career highlights was winning (and project managing) the £400m contract to design and supply the new biometric UK passport in 2009. More recently Marion has devoted her professional life to training and developing project managers/leaders, spreading her magic, and teaching them what she knows best!  She founded her own business and works with project management professionals who want to take their career to the next level and to join, collaborate and contribute to group mastery and mentoring programmes. Marion shares some valuable guidance from her own career journey, which includes knowing yourself, being curious, following your gut, shining your light and not listening to other who may try and limit your beliefs.

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Bin is the founder and Director of Sparkes which specialises in recruiting legal professionals across private practice firms in the UK. Bin started off in the media communications industry following her degree focus, but quickly realised it wasn’t for her.  After a year out travelling she came back and decided she wanted to enter the world of recruitment.  Bin found her passion in recruiting for the legal industry and after having her children (and needing more flexibility) she followed her dream to set up her own agency. Bin shared her experiences setting her new business up during the pandemic, including some unexpected challenges.  She also shares some brilliant top tips for job-hunters, including choosing the right firm to train with, using LinkedIn, taking your time to find the right role (don’t rush!) and being careful about which agencies you use. Another great discussion!

Elizabeth studied Events Management at University with dreams of being a Hollywood wedding planner.  The course/industry wasn’t for her and she landed her first job in recruitment shortly after moving up to London.  Elizabeth is an experienced Recruiter with over 14 years of experience - both in-house at one of the Big 4 and from one of the UK's largest recruitment agencies. After becoming a working Mum, going through redundancy and a struggle to find part-time work herself, Elizabeth decided to set up her own job board during the Covid pandemic.  Elizabeth is passionate about helping Women find their dream part-time or flexible job at the UK’s most family-friendly and forward-thinking employers. Elizabeth shared some good tips for candidates wanting to impress at interview.  She also stressed the importance of self-care and enjoying the journey.

Chris shares his career  journey with Lucy and Tracey,  from the slowest paperboy in the UK, to running a hugely successful Linked In and Networking business, stopping off on the way via a short stint in the police, and a period in IT. He admits he is “unemployable” (so it’s probably for the best he now runs his own business.) Come along and listen to the never dull Chris Williams share his brilliant story with us.

Lucy Williams and Tracey Corney talk to Marc about his journey from his first job as a TV Buyer and his career progression in the media industry (and the party lifestyle that went with it).  After a breakdown Marc’s career took a totally different path and he co-founded Demolish the wall, a mental health consultancy business. Marc shares some career highs including his first Tedx talk and some exciting plans he has for the future.  Marc believes it’s never too late to do what you want and that you should find a career that makes you flip the duvet in the morning!

Welcome to our latest Career Session with Jay Ludgrove. Lucy Williams and Tracey Corney talk to Jay about his career journey from struggling rock star and IT server analyst to starting up GLProUK (in the shed with Tony!) where he is Managing Director today. Jay shares his career challenges along the way, including shocking stories about a sales company where terminal targets and flogging/embarrassing the staff was normal practice.  Jay also shares his thoughts about the importance of CV’s, great applications and standing out in today’s competitive job market. As you’d imagine an inspiring and amusing journey from the podcasting guru himself, don’t miss it!

Carla shares her career journey with us, from Care Assistant, NHS ward nurse, District Nurse to Senior Staff Nurse with Phyllis Tuckwell. She talks about how she developed a passion for palliative care and giving people the best support and experience they can have at the end of life.    Not only has she had an amazing career, but her insight will give you a very different perspective on the normally taboo subject of death and how Phylliss Tuckwell work to not just support people at the end of life, but to help them live with a Terminal Illness.   https://www.pth.org.uk/

Alexander shares his career story with us, from competing in a young chef competition, work experience at Claridge's and the Palace (He even has a bit of Wills & Kate's wedding cake!) to winning the coveted "Front of House Manager of the Year" award while working at the stunning Brown's Hotel in London.  He has a passion for hospitality and even though 2020/21 has been difficult for the sector, he shares with us the compelling reasons that why it is still a great career option for many people.   Alexander even shares with us his nickname (you have to listen to find out!)

Victoria is a heart-centred Career and Personal Leadership Coach who has over 20 years of experience in a variety of industries.  As an experienced educator, Victoria has built a successful career guiding professionals in how to speak with power and purpose so her clients can achieve the promotion they desire, find a career they are passionate about or build the business they’ve been dreaming of.  Hear her journey from working in hospitality to training in financial services business, to now helping other people follow their dreams.