This National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is based on the theme "Skills for Life" and what better time to go back to the basics about apprenticeships and whether they are a good choice for you.

National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

So... this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, Gina Visram - career coach and consultant and host of this podcast explores "What is an apprenticeship and is it a good option for me?"

 If you are a student on your early careers journey - this is actually a question you should ask yourself at least once. In exploring your options on your education towards employment / entrepreneurship journey - it is important to consider the variety of pathways... apprenticeships included.

What is an apprenticeship?

• An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences 
• It involves on the job training and at least 20% of their working hours completing class room based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. 

This episode of the Dive Into Your Career explores this topic and recommends some resources including:

• Website: The National Apprenticeship Week 2024
• Website: UCAS
• Website: Amazing Apprenticeships 
• Website: Rate My Apprenticeship 
• Website: Not Going to Uni 
• Website: Government (Gov.Uk) apprenticeship site 
• Website / Course: The Career People - Apprenticeship Academy 
• Website / Online course: All things careers - Degree Apprenticeship Academy 
• Book: Understanding Apprenticeships: A Student Guide (Ben Rowlands)

Enjoy this exploration of apprenticeships and whether this can be a good opportunity for you...

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

What is a growth mindset?

Is a fixed mindset or growth mindset better?

Why is the word "yet" so magical when it comes to mindset? 

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, Gina Visram takes a look at what a growth mindset is and why it is so important this and every year when it comes to making progress with our goals. 

Inspired by the work of American psychologist Carol Dweck, who studies human motivation, this episode is a short, sharp, important reminder of how:

• embracing a growth mindset 
• tweaking / changing our language and 
• praising the process, not the talent...

... can be a game changer when it comes to how we work towards any developments in our life and/ or career.

If you liked this episode, do remember to share it and to subscribe. 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

For nearly 20 years, there has been talk of "Blue Monday" - the most depressing day of the year which is said to be the third Monday of the year. In 2024, that is Monday 15 January.

Now, you and I know that there is unlikely to be a scientific way to confirm this as the most depressing day. In fact, it was a travel company (albeit led by a psychologist) who first created a campaign about this - with the first Blue Monday being 2005. All of that said, I suspect that one of the reasons why the notion has lingered for nearly two decades is because it resonates. There is something that can feel 'heavy' about the shorter days, freezing weather, lack of Christmas lights now that the festive season is over, financial challenges after the festive season and more.

As such, in case you are feeling a touch blue at this time of the year - this episode of the Dive Into Your Career has one... just one but a powerful one tip for you to help. Create a high vibe (music) playlist.

Listen to the episode to find out more about go to the Your Career And Future blog for a post which features some of my favourite high vibe tunes. 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

It's here! The last of 3 episodes in this series shining a light on some very accomplished women who would likely enhance your feed if you follow them on LinkedIn. 

"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 3 of 3).

In this episode... I am proud to introduce  the final11 of the 32 women who feature in this series. 

Please note... there was no vote. There are no rankings. This isn't even divided by industry. Over the three parts, these episodes feature 32 black and mixed heritage women whose work I have seen up close or from afar and who I greatly admire. Importantly, for the purpose of this list - they are also active content creators and contributors on LinkedIn, the world's biggest online professional network - so aren't you lucky to be able to click a button in these show notes and follow them on the platform.

So here goes, here's the list. Do remember to make sure that you share this episode if it's of value to you and also subscribe to the Dive Into Your Career podcast to make sure you don't miss more valuable career development content. 

1. (22) Shereen Daniels
   Follow Shereen on LinkedIn
   
   
2. (23) Annika Allen
   Follow Annika on LinkedIn
   
   
3. (24) Ladi Mohammed Chapman
   Follow Ladi on LinkedIn
   
   4(25) Cel Amade
   Follow Cel on LinkedIn
   
   5. (26) Serlina Boyd
   Follow Serlina on LinkedIn
   
   6. (27) Deborah B Williams
   Follow Deborah on LinkedIn
   
   7. (28) Naomi Kellman
   Follow Naomi on LinkedIn
   
   8. (29) Ramat Tejani
   Follow Ramat on LinkedIn
   
   9. (30) Vanessa Sam
   Follow Vanessa on LinkedIn
   
   10. (31) Hayley Mulenda
   Follow Hayley on LinkedIn
   
   11. (32) Marielle Legair
   Follow Marielle on LinkedIn
   
   and a bonus mention
   
   12. (33) Ore Ade
   Follow Ore on LinkedIn
   
   As you know, this list is not exhaustive but i

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

"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 2 if 3).

In this episode... I am proud to introduce 11 of the 32 women who will feature in this series. (If you've listened to the first episode you will see that there were meant to be 20... but I added a few more!)

Please note... there was no vote. There are no rankings. This isn't even divided by industry. Over the three parts, these episodes feature 32 black and mixed heritage women whose work I have seen up close or from afar and who I greatly admire. Importantly, for the purpose of this list - they are also active content creators and contributors on LinkedIn, the world's biggest online professional network - so aren't you lucky to be able to click a button in these show notes and follow them on the platform.

So here goes, here's the list. Do remember to make sure that you share this episode if it's of value to you and also subscribe to the Dive Into Your Career podcast to make sure you don't miss more valuable career development content. 

Names and LinkedIn links of 11 of our 32 women featured in this short series include the below. Listen to the episode for further details and context:

1. (11) Chichi Eruchalu
   Follow Chichi on LinkedIn
   
   
2. (12) Vee Kativhu
   Follow Vee on LinkedIn
   
   
3. (13) Dr Anne Marie Imafidon
   Follow Dr Imafidon on LinkedIn
   
   
4. (14) Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell
   Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn
   
   
5. (15) Kike Oniwinde Agoro
   Follow Kike on LinkedIn
   
   
6. (16) Lisa Anderson
   Follow Lisa on LinkedIn
   
   
7. (17) Sharon Thomas
   Follow Sharon on LinkedIn
   
   
8. (18) Faith Locken
   Follow Faith on LinkedIn
   
   
9. (19) Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah
   Follow Lady Phyll on LinkedIn
   
   
10. (20) Stacy Moore
    Follow Stacy on LinkedIn
    
    
11. (21) Michelle Raymond
    

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

"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 episode... I am proud to introduce 10 of the 20 women who will feature in this series. 

Please note... there was no vote. There are no rankings. This isn't even divided by industry. Over the two parts, these episodes feature 20 black and mixed heritage women whose work I have seen up close or from afar and who I greatly admire. Importantly, for the purpose of this list - they are also active content creators and contributors on LinkedIn, the world's biggest online professional network - so aren't you lucky to be able to click a button in these show notes and follow them on the platform.
 
So here goes, here's the list. Do remember to make sure that you share this episode if it's of value to you and also subscribe to the Dive Into Your Career podcast to make sure you don't miss part 2 or any other amazing episodes ahead. 

Names and LinkedIn links of 10 of our 20 women featured in this short series include the below. Listen to the episode for further details and context:

1. Davinia Tomlinson
   Follow Davinia on LinkedIn
   
   
2. Jenny Garrett OBE
   Follow Jenny Garrett OBE in LinkedIn
   
   
3. Nova Reid
   Follow Nova Reid on LinkedIn
   
   
4. Veronica Patton-Cemm
   Follow Veronica Patton-Cemm on LinkedIn
   
   
5. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu
   Follow Shola Mos-Shogbamimu on LinkedIn
   
   
6. Ronke Lawal
   Follow Ronke Lawal on LinkedIn
   
   
7. Amina Yonis PhD
   Follow Amina Yonis PhD on LinkedIn
   
   
8. Akima Paul-Lambert
   Follow Akima Paul-Lambert  on LinkedIn
   
   
9. Denise Myers
   Follow Denise Myers on LinkedIn
   
   
10. Mildred Talabi
    Follow Mildred Talabi on LinkedIn
    
    

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

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 1 (featuring numbers 1-5) here

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast - there are even more suggestions about how to create a good foundation for an amazing academic year ahead... including actively building employability skills (# 6) and start conversations (with curiosity) (# 10). 

Whether you are starting Year 12 in a new school or college; starting your undergraduate degree or even just determined to have a great year - regardless of your stage in education - I hope you will find a few suggestions here that you will commit to trying! 

As ever, it would be brilliant to hear about what resonates and what actions you take so feel free to DM me on Instagram, message me on LinkedIn or get in touch in any way (details below) to let me know how you are getting on. 

Have an amazing start to the academic year. You've got this! 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

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 - especially if you are in a new environment, be it:

• a new post-16 setting like a college or new sixth form to you... or 
• post-18,  where you may be embarking on a new apprenticeship or university degree. 

The coming weeks may include leaving home for the first time, moving into student accommodation, having a first taste of lectures and seminars and so much more. It's a big deal for you... and indeed for your parents who are supporting you with the greatest of hope for this new chapter. 

So, on this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, we take a look at the first 5 of 10 ways to have a positive start to the new academic year.  (If you haven't subscribed to this podcast yet make sure you do, so you ensure you don' miss the second part to this episode and the many awesome episodes which will follow)

Check out the episode and don't forget to share it if you find it helpful!

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

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 your future. 

Coming to terms with the fact that your original plan will not be happening in the way you intended can be tough, but stay tuned to this episode for some ideas about how you can take the necessary next steps to adjust your vision and move forward positively

As ever, if this is episode is useful - please do share it far and wide! 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

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 envisioned it… or whether it is time for them to dream a new dream (or pivot the existing one, or at the very least - reset the potential timing of it all).

Such a big day.  

If you missed your offer - firstly *hugs*. I am so soooo sorry. I know it can be devastating. You will need to recalibrate and come up with a new plan. Do listen to this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast - it is full of gems just for you. 

Do listen and share this episode with anyone in your world who is creating a new vision  or new plan for themselves, after navigating some disappointing results. 

All while remembering that regardless of your results you are just as incredible as you were before receiving them - and if you are kind to yourself in this process and ready to take action, you can create a brilliant alternative plan. 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!