Julia Plumb

My own life has been a series of mostly happy accidents.

Leaving school not knowing what to do next.
Taking jobs where friends worked to earn some money.
Trying things that on paper looked like a good fit.
Learning from it when it didn't work.
Taking a temporary job that lasted 7 fantastic years.
Gaining an M.Sc In Voluntary Sector Management with Philanthropy as a mature student and a mum of young children.
Trusting my gut instinct at times where I felt unhappy.
Finally working in an area that used to be a hobby, but is now my full time career (music).

The one constant I have is that people are the centre of everything I've done, and relationships with them are the key to making things work and getting things done.

Every student is unique so my approach to working with them will be too.

I will assess where they are in life, what they want to achieve, and help them find ways of doing this by using the softer skills that don't get taught in schools but are so invaluable in life.

In Person: Reading the room, reading individual people, body language, eye contact etc.
In person communication skills: Listening before saying anything. Avoiding the nervous wittering/babble. Listening to your gut instinct.

In written form: Emails - context of the content, hidden subtext
Written communication skills: Reading things thoroughly. Understanding the meaning and not responding in 'heat of the moment' situations. Being clear and concise but also open to further discussion , as appropriate. Listening to your gut instinct.

Content of tuition may focus on particular areas of concern by the student.

I will encourage journaling and reflection on situations which went well and those which did not and assessing why.
Looking at people they admire and deciphering what makes their approach work, and what might be replicated in their situations.

Looking at 'Success' and how it is defined: by others and by ourselves.
Trying to do something that makes us happy may not always be successful.
Accepting that can be the start of something important.