November is National Career Development Month – a timely reminder for individuals to reflect on their paths and for organisations to ask: Are we doing enough to support meaningful growth?
I’ve spent most of my career helping people navigate their professional journeys. But the truth is, that clarity didn’t come easily to me either. Let me take you back to where it all began.
Finding Career Clarity at a Crossroads
I was 27 and thought I had it all figured out. A first-class degree, a role at Procter & Gamble, a solid career in product research. On paper? I was ticking all the boxes.
But something didn’t feel right.
I was more interested in people than in washing powder. When I tried to move into HR, the company was supportive—but only if I relocated to Egham. And while Egham has its charm, I was living in Newcastle, falling in love with the city (and a Geordie), and building a life that felt like me.
So, I walked away.
It was voluntary redundancy. A bold choice, maybe even foolish to some. But it came with something unexpected—a career coach. I thought he’d help me update my CV. Instead, he asked me: “What do you want?”
That one question changed everything.
Until that moment, I’d been following someone else’s definition of success. My coach helped me see that I had to define it for myself.
And that’s the message I now share with organisations and employees all over the world: Success isn’t about following someone else’s map. It’s about creating your own.
That clarity led me to a new role, a new direction and, ultimately, to building the business I run today.
Why Wait for a Crisis?
That question has stayed with me: Why do so many people wait until they’re stuck or facing a crisis to reflect on their careers?
And more importantly: What are organisations doing to help them gain career clarity before they reach that point?
A Real-World Example: Collinson’s Career Month
Earlier this year, the Collinson Group asked themselves that very question and took action.
In June, they ran their very own Career Month with a powerful theme: Own Your Journey.
Each week focused on a different element of career development. Topics ranged from self-reflection to growth, connection, and action. It was a brilliant initiative, filled with practical workshops, mentoring sessions, and learning opportunities.
I had the privilege of delivering the opening keynote to launch their month-long global programme.
Drawing on my COMPASS framework, I invited employees to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters to them. I shared my own journey – from ticking boxes to taking ownership – and challenged them to define success on their own terms.
The feedback was humbling.
“Antoinette’s COMPASS keynote was the perfect way to launch our Career Month at Collinson. Her engaging and insightful session gave colleagues the space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters to them in their careers.”
—Collinson Group
“Loved every minute of it…The personal storytelling really made me reflect on my own journey.”
—Participant comment
“It makes us reassess where we want to go and what will be fulfilling.”
—Participant comment
Why This Matters Now
Career development shouldn’t be a once-a-year tick-box. Nor should it be left to chance.
As we approach the end of the year, now is the perfect time to spark the conversations that lead to career clarity, both for individuals and organisations. And that clarity leads to confidence, action, fulfilment, and retention.
It starts with a story. It leads to a shift. And it can transform a team or an entire organisation.
Let’s Talk
If you’re planning an event for National Career Development Month or want to empower your people to take ownership of their careers, I’d love to help.
Book a call with me to explore how I can support your organisation as a keynote speaker or workshop facilitator.
Together we can create a culture where clarity comes from conversation, not crisis.
