I spent the first eight years of my career in the corporate world, joining a graduate programme in 2009 – fresh out of university and with no previous experience working in an office.

I worked in recruitment for many years, ultimately leading graduate recruitment for a top-tier City law firm. While I enjoyed many aspects of working for large multinationals, I knew deep down that it wasn’t what I wanted to do forever.

I wanted a career that truly excited me – one where I could push myself to my full potential outside of the structure of a typical 9-to-5 office job.

I wasn’t alone in feeling this way. Many of my friends left university full of ambition and excitement, only to find themselves burnt out, uninspired, or stuck just a few years later. The idea of staying on exactly the same career path until retirement felt daunting.

But knowing I wanted something different wasn’t enough – I had no clear vision of what my “dream job” even looked like. Investing time and money into chasing a goal I couldn’t fully articulate felt naïve – and sometimes even a little bit crazy.

The turning point came during a family holiday in 2016, the year I turned 30. It was such a fun holiday, but as the trip came to an end, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that I was going back to a life that wasn’t right for me. By the last day, it was all I could think about.

Reflecting on what I wanted from my career after that trip was a long and frustrating process. Buried in the back of my mind was the idea that “someday” I might go into coaching, having enjoyed a short course I’d taken a few years earlier. At the time, I had been too afraid and uncertain to pursue it further. I still felt scared, but knew things had to change.

After a bit of procrastination, I started talking to people I had met who worked as coaches, and started exploring how I could potentially make it a reality. I saved up some money, immersed myself in personal and professional development books, and even hired a coach of my own. Ultimately, I embarked upon a dual post-grad qualification in executive coaching – one of the best decisions I ever made. 

In 2017 – one year after that holiday – I left the corporate world to build a career and a business in coaching and consulting.

Drawing on my recruitment expertise, leadership experience, and my own career shift, I now help others navigate their careers with clarity and confidence.

The transition wasn’t always easy. There were ups and downs, lessons learned the hard way, and plenty of trial and error. I pushed through by stretching my comfort zone, nurturing my network, and investing in my own personal development.

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to:

✅ Work with hundreds of clients from all around the world

✅ Spend two years coaching and consulting at one of the UK’s top business schools

✅ Be featured in The Guardian, The Independent, The Evening Standard, Grazia, and ITV News

✅ Publish my first book in 2022 – Graduate Careers Uncovered: Tools and insights from a former recruiter to demystify your job search

Even now, I sometimes feel like an imposter – but I remind myself that growth comes from taking action, even when you’re unsure.

If you’re feeling stuck in your career, I’d love to help. Find out more about my career coaching programme here.