Find Your Joy

Graduation is a milestone but also a crossroads.

With so many voices offering advice, it’s easy to feel pressure to follow the “right” path, land the perfect role, or climb fast.

But what if your next step wasn’t just about what you should do but more about what brings you joy?

Not every graduate knows exactly what they want. That’s okay. So instead of chasing someone else’s version of success, pause and ask:

👉🏽 What energises me? 👉🏽 What kind of work makes me feel like I am doing something worthwhile? 👉🏽 What values do I want my career to reflect?

In this issue, we’re sharing practical options to help you navigate the unknown with curiosity and confidence.

Spotlight this month is Monique Anderson, a young woman who has found her joy and created an Influencer Agency after university.  Finding your joy isn’t fluffy - it’s strategic.  It will sustain you long-term through the ups and downs of your career so whatever path you choose, let joy be part of the decision.

Love and Power from your Career Coach 💜

Sandra

Career Corner 👩🏽💻

🎓 Graduating this year or making a change? 

You’re stepping into a job market that looks nothing like the one your parents entered.

The traditional corporate ladder isn’t dead but it’s no longer the only route. And for many, it’s not what they want to do.

In fact, only 6% of Gen Z graduates say their main career goal is to climb to a leadership role in a traditional corporate setting. (Source: Deloitte 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey)

That’s not a lack of ambition, it's a redefining what a career looks like.

Gen Z is navigating:

• A hyper-competitive job market

• Economic uncertainty

• The rise of AI and automation

But they’re not shrinking back. They’re adapting and innovating.

They're prioritising learning, wellbeing, purpose, and flexibility.  My son is Gen Z and he and his friends have this focus which is refreshing to see.  They have seen first hand the price their parents have paid, often costing health, and they don’t want to pay it.

Here are six worth exploring if you're just starting out:

🔧 The Apprenticeship Renaissance Today’s apprenticeships include everything from UX design to data analytics with companies like Google and Microsoft offering hands-on, paid training that rivals grad schemes.

💼 The Freelance Economy Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr are launching pads for independent careers. Freelancing builds skills fast, offers flexibility, and gives you control.

🌱 Entrepreneurship & Micro-businesses You don’t need a co-founder or Venture Capitalist to be a founder. A one-person consultancy, Etsy shop, or content business can be a great first step.

🧩 Portfolio Careers Blend part-time work, passion projects, freelancing, and continuous learning. You’ll build adaptability, great skills and multiple income streams.

🌍 Purpose-Led Work B-Corps and social enterprises are prioritising purpose alongside profit.  Roles in these companies can offer both meaning and marketable experience.

🌐 Remote-First Roles Geography is no longer a barrier. Remote work is creating global career opportunities and more inclusive hiring.

🎯 The path to success is no longer linear and that’s a good thing.

So don’t panic if you’re not climbing a ladder. 

Instead, focus on building:

 ✔️ Skills ✔️ Networks ✔️ Resilience

These three will carry you through any path you choose.

👉🏽 What path are you exploring or changing this year?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

✨ Spotlight ✨

Business Owner Monique Anderson

1. Could you share a bit about your background and how you started your business? 

I'm the founder of an influencer marketing agency called IT'S RATED BY. I launched the business out of a deep interest in the evolving creator economy and a frustration with the lack of authenticity in many influencer partnerships. I knew I could bring a better, more genuine approach to the industry so I decided to take action and start the agency   

2. Can you tell me about your business and what the growth journey has looked like over the past few years?

Over the past few years, we've partnered with clients such as Netflix, ITV, Disney, and Meta. Our focus has been on collaborating with brands where our expertise can meaningfully enhance and complement their existing strategies increasing their ROI.  

3. What is your biggest accomplishment or milestone so far?

Launched a talent agency earlier this year managing influencers across various niches,  and it’s already thriving!  

4. What's been your toughest challenge so far, and how did you push through it?

As we build our client pipeline, we're constantly exploring new and innovative ways to onboard clients. We've also been investing more time into strengthening our online brand presence.  

5. As someone who's built something from the ground up, what's the one piece of advice you'd give to other young people thinking about starting their own business?

Believe in yourself, stay clear on your purpose, and let it guide everything you do  

6. What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Spending time with friends, travelling and exploring new food spots!

The Multi-Hyphen Life by Emma Gannon

This book offers a blueprint for building a career that doesn't fit into traditional boxes, with insights and actionable strategies.

Emma dismantles the myth that you need to choose one path and stick to it, showing instead how to create a fulfilling work life that reflects all your interests and talents.

Her honest approach tackles the practical realities - from managing finances to dealing with the uncertainty that comes with non-traditional career choices.

The Squiggly Careers Podcast

In this Podcast, Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis create an empowering space where career confusion becomes career clarity, offering practical tools that turn uncertainty into an opportunity for growth.

📍If you want to build your brand, career or personal growth download my FREE and low cost guides or DM for 1-1 support: https://sandraguidesandbooks.gumroad.com/ Linktree for 1-1 Bookings, Guides, Testimonials