I've always loved the meaning of curriculum vitae - the flow of life.  Yet somehow I can't reconcile this lovely and inspiring  phrase with its physical manifestation - two to three pages of typewritten A4, a chronological list of dates, qualifications and salaries.

All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go

 OK, so I had no plan.  I would just "do Art" and then something would show up.  Couldn't wait to get to Art College.  Had all the necessary accoutrements, portfolio, red hair, Doc Martens, a grant and a student rail pass.  But not a Career Plan.  Forgot to pack that somehow.

I'd always wanted to "do Art".  I loved the mesmerising focus of being absorbed into texture and paint and colour and shape.  I was good at it too.  But the dream had been squashed in favour of something more sensible, and it had to go on hold for 20 years.

Early Days

I've been browsing through graduate career forums and I am struck by the lack of direction and feeling of futility.  Our national talent seems to be stumbling about in the dark, equipped only with Huge Potential, and a clutch of Qualifications.

Yet, careers advisor is now an established career path in itself.  Every school, college and university has a department where you can go for careers advice.  So what's going on?

What can a Career Coaching Programme do for me?

• Speed up your job search by setting priorities and goals, and developing a more strategic career plan
• Translate your life and work experience into realistic and rewarding career opportunities
• Help you to get a better return on your investment of time, effort and money into your qualifications
• Remove any blocks to your career progress
• Improve your interviewing, networking and negotiating styles
• Use selected assessment tools to increase your understanding of your strengths and personal values
• Help you balance your work and life priorities, and manage stress
• Help you to advance in your present career into a leadership role
• Encourage you every step of the way to become “career self-reliant” – and be successful!

What do you want?  Send in your suggestions.