Networking / relationship building is an important part of creating a successful career journey... however sometimes introverts may feel that networking is too overwhelming for them.

Here on the Dive Into Your Career podcast, we don't want anyone to miss out on the HUGE benefits of networking due to either shyness or introversion and hope that this episode will help even the most reluctant of networkers know there's a way to make it work for them.

If this episode is useful for you, be sure to share it with other students and graduates in your life that can benefit.

For previous episodes about networking on the Dive Into Your Career podcast, see here:

034 - Why networking is essential for students

035 - 5 top networking tips for students and new graduates

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

With Valentine's Day falling in February and the world seemingly headed in a less "loving" direction from some global leaders... today's episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast focuses on How to create a career you love

After all, we all deserve joy and safety and part of that can include purposefully creating a career you love.

Now, I am not being tone deaf about what is happening in the world and the fact that there will be many people who were surprised to be laid off recently, for whom thinking about work they love is a luxury that may not feel realistic in a competitive market and increasingly expensive world.

However, I would argue that even with all that context, you whether you are listening as a student or graduate which is the originally intended audience or as someone further in your career who clicked on this episode seeking inspiration for your next steps, it is worth bearing in mind some of the topics raised in this episode.

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

These days, there are many viable, worthy options for students on their journey from education and / or entrepreneurship i.e. from school into the world of work. These options include university, apprenticeships and hybrids of the two.

To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week 2025, this week's episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast asks "Are apprenticeships a good option for me?"

... and guess what? The answer is yes! In that apprenticeships are a route that every young person should consider as they navigate their 16+ and 18+ options.

"Considering" does not mean "choosing" of course - but why not be purposeful in the research that you do and the options you consider.

Check out this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast to gain more insight into why all students / families should explore apprenticeships as an option. And as you investigate, remember:

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is the biggest week in the apprenticeships and skills calendar! It takes place from 10 to 16 February 2025. The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring.

Be sure to visit the website (whether in real time or even after the week) to access important information and resources.

Further useful resources include:

The first episode of the UCAS Parents Podcast - which I am proud to feature in alongside Tash Tustin from Atkins Realis and hosted by Jon Smith. Click here to access it.

Episode 110 of the Dive Into Your Career podcast - What is an apprenticeship and is it a good option for me?

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 website

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

2025... and in many ways, it feels like the world has gone nuts...

More wars...

Clear and direct threats of ethnic cleansing

Removal of science and factual information from the public

Fires and more evidence of climate change

Further erasure of women's rights and autonomy

Removal of DEIA / EDI initiatives (from organisations claiming anti-racism less than 5 years ago)

An unelected citizen gaining access to private information via government sources

... and yes, most of this is mainly relates to or is instigated by the United States of America (USA) but you know that when it catches a cold the rest of the world sneezes.

It feels clearer than ever that we are in a new era of activism (unlike early in my career 20 years ago where we may have been protesting the Iraq war but generally, things felt more centrist and less extreme then)

... so it's no wonder that you as a candidate may be wondering whether your future employer aligns with your values or not. Here are some things (in this episode) to consider before you decide where you are applying...

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

Hey hey hey... HAPPY NEW YEAR! (To anyone listening in real time... and wishing the spirit and hope of a new year to anyone listening to this months later!)

Welcome to the first Dive Into Your Career podcast episode for 2025.

Regardless of how you spent the Holiday season, there's a chance that you experienced a change of pace and routine and as such may have deliberately or even subconsciously set some - insert appropriate word for you... intentions / resolutions / goals / promises for the year ahead.

While creating unnecessary pressure on yourself at one time of the year probably isn't helpful, there is a collective energy in the are which we each have the opportunity to tap into and as such today's episode focuses on...

How to start 2025 right if you're a student or recent graduate on your early careers journey.

Spoiler alert: as a teen or twenty something, regardless of whether you engage with it or not, you are already on your career development journey. Paying attention and actively getting involved in your journey towards your future will be beneficial for you.

In this episode, career coach, consultant and content creator Gina Visram shares 8 ways to start your 2025 on a positive note - though even if you're listening in June instead of January, you still find it beneficial.

At the start of the episode, Gina does pause to recognise that natural and political disasters mean that at this time, some people won't necessarily have the bandwidth to do this reflection and action taking encouraged in this episode... but many... in fact most of us do have the agency to take charge of our present and potential future and if that includes you, why don't you listen to this episode today and share it with a friend.

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

In today's quickie episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, I (Gina Visram) reaffirm my commitment to you - to support you on your early careers journey, enhancing a spirit of fun and optimism.

This episode is filled with

• Gratitude
• Reflections
• Hope
• Self-awareness
• Pledges

... and more and I hope you will stick around for more free (podcast and TikTok) and paid (soon to come - group coaching and job seekers planner) content, services and products designed to bring joy and impact on your journey from education to employment and entrepreneurship.

Do stay connected, subscribe and share. Join the mailing list (links below) to receive the Hello Career newsletter.

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

I am not okay.

That's an important thing to admit these days right?

While I had intended to record and release an episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast last week, on 6 November, my emotions in relation to the result of the 2024 US Election had left me reeling... and unless you wanted to listen to minutes of me sobbing... or stunned silence... I needed to step away for a week.

And I have...

Having paused and reset, somewhat...

Today's episode of the Dive Into The Career podcast is focused on "Why keeping politics out of it may be outdated career and life advice" - a topic which is the result of some of that reflection.

This episode will be useful for you if you:

• Were disappointed / devastated about the results of the US Election 2024
• Feel affected by world events
• Are increasingly aware that how companies invest and who they support, may have an impact on your own career decisions
• Want to reflect on how important it is to reflect on values - yours and those of companies you may be considering

If you needed to pause, reflect and acknowledge these recent political developments before getting back to your day to day life... I hope this episode helps you to feel seen and heard.


PS - As mentioned in the episode, here is a link to a website which shares some of the ways Trump's administration rolled back civil rights in his first term... and it is this sort of legacy which has many people, like myself, so concerned about a second term:

https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/

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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!

Inspired by the 2024 theme for Black History Month (BHM) in the UK, "Reclaiming Narratives" - this episode of the Dive Into Your Career looks at this concept more widely as well as specifically in relation to proudly owning your careers story.

In this episode, career coach and host of the Dive Into Your Career podcast shares thoughts around:

• Critical thinking in relation to history when it comes to who is telling stories and what their motivation is (as well as considering who is not telling their own stories)
• Hidden Figures - The brilliant film inspired by the discovery of the impact 3 black, female Mathematicians (Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn and Mary Jackson) who worked for NASA during the space race
• Reclaiming Narratives in relation to your career journey
• Acknowledgement that with the global situation being what it is, there are many people who cannot own their own journey, due to their circumstances. Bisan from Gaza is named as an example (of the thousands and millions who may not have control of their career trajectory but certainly are reclaiming their story)
• Proudly owning your career journey and your career story (and what the difference is)

Don't be a passenger in your own life.

Ready to own your experiences and differences?
Time to level up and take some ownership of your trajectory?

This is a powerful episode 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 gina@yourcareerandfuture.com 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!