I felt sad to wrap up my 5-year engagement with the Geospatial Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) last week. All five PhD cohorts have shown great engagement, creativity and appreciation for the value of human skills. In today’s world the positive approach of their generation is a cause for optimism. Thank you to everyone atContinue reading “The next generation of geospatial is human”
Category Archives: careers
What makes a good career?
What does a good career look like today? When graduates struggle to find work and midlife professionals dream of quitting, is that even the right question? As a seventies child I was part of Gen X, the first cohort to see cracks appearing in the promise of endless growth, predictable careers and secure retirement. TodayContinue reading “What makes a good career?”
Reflective questions to review and plan your year
The end of the year is always a good time to reflect. My 2025 was a year of growth and adventure, but also challenges. Here are some questions I am asking myself. I hope you find them useful, too. Looking back on 2025 The here and now Looking ahead to 2026 Bonus questions I can’tContinue reading “Reflective questions to review and plan your year”
The world needs more mentors: YOU
If you are taking the time to read this post, I believe you would make a great mentor. My question is: do you believe it too? I recently ran a couple of mentor training workshops for Women+ in Geospatial, a global professional network with thousands of members. They have the largest mentoring programme I know.Continue reading “The world needs more mentors: YOU”
On transferrable skills
A geologist, a psychotherapist and her client walk into a bar. Actually, no – they walk into the hills. Also, the geologist and therapist are the same person: Ruth Allen, author of Weathering, a beautiful book I enjoyed reading this summer. If you’re passionate about the natural world – and personal development – then youContinue reading “On transferrable skills”
Books and ideas for your midlife career
The summer holidays are a great time to reflect on what we want from our lives and careers. Below are some books and ideas I have found helpful over the years – and some to avoid! – collated into 10 themes. 1. When basic questions don’t work anymore When we feel a bit stuck in theContinue reading “Books and ideas for your midlife career”
Going solo: Lessons from my mid-career change into coaching
People often ask me what it’s like being a freelance coach after 25 years in geospatial technology. So I spent some time reflecting and wrote down the key lessons I have learned so far. By way of background, I’m based in the UK and qualified as an executive coach in 2020. I previously held leadershipContinue reading “Going solo: Lessons from my mid-career change into coaching”
Transferrable geo skills and AI: New geomob podcast
This post is for the geospatial people in my network. It was great fun being on the geomob podcast with Ed Freyfogle. We discussed: 🌐 Geospatial transferrable skills.🌐 Moving in and out of geo.🌐 The impact of AI on technical careers.🌐 And more… Episode link: https://thegeomob.com/podcast/episode-221 PS. I’m not the fastest speaker at the bestContinue reading “Transferrable geo skills and AI: New geomob podcast”
When working more hours doesn’t pay
Since being a freelancer I’ve learned that sometimes it’s more lucrative to go for a walk than work another hour. It’s a simple arithmetic. As in any business, tracking my time is important. Especially billable vs. non-billable hours. One morning this week I had no meetings, and nothing billable or urgent to do. Normally suchContinue reading “When working more hours doesn’t pay”
Simple questions for meaningful reflection
The end of the year is always a good time to reflect, look back and plan ahead. To this end I have compiled a guide of reflective questions that you may find useful. Whether you want to take stock of your career, leadership journey or life at large, there’s a wide and eclectic range ofContinue reading “Simple questions for meaningful reflection”
True Horizon Coaching 