Career Coach
Why you are motivated to be involved and support the organisation's mission and objectives?
I first met with the founder of Career Matters, Hannah Kirkbride, back in 2017, her enthusiasm and passion for supporting care leavers, and disadvantaged young people and adults is truly inspiring. It is a privilege to join Hannah, and her team at Career Matters, ensuring that we continue to close the gap in education, employment, and training, between care experienced young people and those in mainstream society. Young people leaving the care system often experience complex and multiple barriers, and challenges to achieving the outcomes they deserve to live their lives confidently, and independently. I look forward to supporting the innovative provisions, enabling widening access, and pathway opportunities that positively impacts the lives of young people.Role at Career Matters
As a career coach with Career Matters, my role involves providing care leavers with careers information, advice, and guidance (CIAG). I support young people across the county of Surrey, providing information for work experience opportunities, jobs, training, and learning. In addition, I support young people with interview preparation, mock interviews, CV writing, cover letters, and job search. Collaborating with local community providers across the region to bring up-to-date information, news, and support to care experienced young people accessing the service.Headline Experience
Femi is an experienced and dynamic careers coach, with over a decade of experience working with young people, long term unemployed, to professionals, across London, and the Southeast. Worked on government employment initiatives such as access to work, community task force, and the work programme. Managed local employment programmes funded by Big Lottery, Housing Associations, and Local Authorities. Delivered 1 to 1 careers advice and guidance. Designed, and presented employability workshops for both small and large groups, from confidence building, job searching and applications, networking, and public speaking. Worked for charities, public, and private sector organisations. Engaged communities, stakeholders, and local jobcentres across South London. Supported learners on apprenticeship schemes, to undergraduates and postgraduate students. Presently, working as a careers consultant with students in higher education.
In the past, Femi worked as a regional careers and learning adviser, supporting diverse client groups into employment and learning, across Surrey, particularly, in areas such as Guildford, Mole Valley, Redhill and Banstead. He has significant experience in recruitment, worked for one of the largest recruitment companies in the UK, Hays plc. He has experience across a broad range of sectors, including, education, engineering, construction, HR, technology, financial services, hospitality, and healthcare.
He became a published author in September 2022, with his first book titled: Confessions of a maverick careers coach: 152 Life Lessons, Tips and Quotes. to Inspire Your Career, Build Mental Resilience, Develop Key Skills, and Acquire Success Your Way. (Foreword by Dr. Roy Paget, UK Neuroscientist).
Femi is an avid networker, and active member of his community. He is a mental health first aider (MHFA). Served as school governor, and board director for 12 years. Trustee board member for local Citizens Advice. Enterprise advisor with the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC). Stood for local councillor elections in his local area of Coulsdon, Surrey in 2022, and has presented on radio, a show called: 'The Confident Careers Show'.
