Wagstaff Wisdom

In this session of Wagstaff Wisdom, the conversation centers on the campaign #NoWrongPath, emphasizing the importance of diverse career journeys and perseverance, especially in light of Scotland's exam results day.

The guests, Paul and Noah from Team Brit, share their unconventional career paths, illustrating the message that there is no single "right" path in life.

Paul recounts his early academic struggles, a transition from music to engineering, and ultimately joining the Army, only for his military career to be cut short by a diving accident that left him with severe physical challenges.

Meanwhile, Noah shares his experience of transitioning from a promising motocross career to life after a paralyzing accident.

Both guests highlight how they eventually found new passions in motorsport through Team Brit, reinforcing the campaign's message that even when life takes unexpected turns, new and fulfilling opportunities can emerge.

Over time, the team expanded to compete in full-scale motorsports, including the British GT and McLaren Trophy. The ultimate goal is to race at Le Mans, a feat never achieved by a team like theirs.

Paul and Noah reflect on how racing fulfills their need for adrenaline and personal growth, with Noah emphasizing the continuous learning and challenges in motorsport. The conversation shifts to their positive outlook on life, where both draw inspiration from challenges and seek the silver lining in difficult situations.

They share advice on careers, noting that success often comes from perseverance and exploring various paths.

Neil Hussey's journey is a testament to perseverance and adaptability in the face of life's unexpected turns.

From his early days in a private boarding school, where he thrived in sports but struggled to find his academic focus, to his eventual career as a Technical Sales Engineer, Neil's path has been anything but straightforward.

Despite initial setbacks, including missing out on university and facing redundancy, Neil leveraged his curiosity and passion for understanding how things work to build a career in engineering.

His story is one of resilience, constant learning, and the power of keeping an open mind.

It's our very own Ruth Forster's time in the hot seat!

Ruth Forster is the founder of Wagstaff Recruitment and Careers Coaching, specializing in permanent and interim recruitment within the engineering, manufacturing, and automated distribution sectors.

Ruth's career journey reflects resilience and determination, emerging from a background where school was a struggle and her path forward was unclear.

Having experienced a profound loss early in life and navigating self-doubt, Ruth found her footing through a YTS placement in a local authority, which ignited her passion for recruitment.

Today, she leads a successful business, empowering others to find their voice and build their careers.

Charlotte Sykes is an accomplished businesswoman and the founder of Career Workshops and Recruitment (CWR).

With over a decade of experience, Charlotte provides a range of services, including coaching, training, and recruitment, to individuals, schools, and businesses within the local community.

Having grown up in various parts of the world, including America and Europe, Charlotte's career journey reflects a passion for connecting people and creating opportunities.

She values consistency, creativity, and community involvement, and her business embodies her dedication to fostering growth and development in others.

Karen Dungey is an experienced professional who has navigated a diverse career path, currently serving as the Course Coordinator at South Staffordshire College.

With a background in catering and hotel management, Karen's journey has seen her transition from aspirations of joining the army to working in hospitality, retail management, and recruitment.

She later moved into roles focused on mentoring and training, especially supporting young people and those facing educational challenges.

Her experiences, including overcoming redundancy during a previous recession, have shaped her commitment to helping others find their way through career transitions and personal challenges.

A new epiosde for our #NoWrongPath series where we hear from Phil Holwell.

Phil Holwell is an accomplished engineering professional who currently holds the position of Senior Vice President of Engineering at PERI Formwork Systems in the United States.

With a career spanning over two decades, Phil has worked across multiple industries, including construction equipment and rail manufacturing, for renowned companies such as JCB, Caterpillar, Bombardier, and JLG.

Known for his passion for how things are built, Phil's journey reflects a blend of resilience and adaptability.

Despite challenges in mastering math and sciences during his school years, Phil's perseverance and love for engineering have propelled him to the forefront of his field, where he now leads engineering and technology advancements in the construction industry.

Phil has developed his career through engineering working for large UK & US brands including JCB & Caterpillar. Now living and working in the US, Phil shares with Ruth his career and thoughts on today's market considering how graduate and experienced people can secure roles in 2020.

Jon Walker is a seasoned professional with a diverse career trajectory that spans multiple industries.

Initially driven by a passion for sports during his school years, Jon's career path took a turn as he decided to join the military at a young age, following in his stepfather's footsteps.

His military career lasted nearly five years, where he developed skills in engineering and gained invaluable experience.

After leaving the military, Jon explored various roles, transitioning from retail to management and eventually landing in the sales sector.

His adaptability and resilience have been key to his success, especially during challenging times like the 2020 pandemic, when he faced redundancy but persevered to secure a new role in a highly competitive job market.

Jon's journey highlights the importance of transferable skills, continuous learning, and staying focused in the face of adversity.

An honest and insightful interview in COVID times, with a technical glitch half way through the interview! to add to the reality of life in 2020 - although it probably was operator error on Ruth's part!

We hope you enjoy

In this interview, we welcome Julia Doherty as the first guest in a new interview series called "My Career Journey,"

We have witnessed various career journeys filled with unexpected twists and turns and these interviews aim to highlight how career paths have evolved over time, particularly in today's world, where people are expected to have an average of 12 jobs during their lifetime.

Many individuals are changing careers, even after reaching senior positions in industries like marketing, finance, and even healthcare.

We have known Julia for about 12 years andher diverse career path, starting in recruitment, moving into digital marketing and social media, and finally transitioning into the outdoor adventure space is well worth listening to.

We do a deep dive into Julia's career history, particularly focusing on what led her to make such varied career shifts, while also teasing out the unknown details of her career before recruitment.