Breakfast with the experts—Navigating career change
Join us in Wellington for a panel discussion on career change, transferable skills and how to move confidently into your next chapter.
Description
Are you considering a career change, reassessing your priorities, or wondering where your skills could take you next?
Careers are rarely linear, and changing direction does not necessarily mean starting again. This breakfast with the experts on Friday 7 August will explore career pivoting, transferable skills, and how your education and experience can open up opportunities across different roles, sectors and industries.
Join career coach Lucy Sanderson-Gammon, who specialises in supporting people through career change, alongside data and insights professionals Rebecca Burson and Oxana Hart, whose careers have both taken a few twists and turns to reach where they are today. Together, they will share their career journeys and insights into recognising your strengths, communicating your value and taking steps towards a new direction.
The discussion will be led by Millie Douglas, Senior Career Consultant at Victoria University of Wellington.
There will be time for audience questions and the opportunity to connect with fellow alumni over light refreshments.
We look forward to welcoming you.
The experts
Lucy Sanderson-Gammon
Career Coach, Luminous Career Coaching
Lucy works with mid-career professionals who are considering a career change, questioning their direction or seeking greater clarity about what comes next. Through a structured process exploring values, strengths, interests and working conditions, she helps people understand what genuinely suits them so they can make confident, deliberate career decisions.
Lucy has worked with clients across the public and private sectors for more than 10 years. She runs Luminous Career Coaching from the Wellington region and works online with clients throughout New Zealand. She holds an MBA (Merit) from Victoria University of Wellington and a Diploma in Career Guidance (Distinction), and is a Professional Member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand.
Rebecca Burson
Manager Data & Insights, Te Uru Rākau—New Zealand Forest Service
Rebecca is an experienced people leader who has managed data and analytical teams across multiple government agencies. Rebecca's chance transition from academic research to public service 13 years ago opened her eyes to new ways to innovate, problem-solve and create order amongst chaos.
In her current role, Rebecca leads a team that is improving the quality and reliability of information about New Zealand’s forest estate. She firmly believes that you should 'do a job that makes you grin' and that, when you do, those grins are catching. Rebecca holds a PhD in Psychology from Victoria University of Wellington.
Oxana Hart
Data Scientist, Dragonfly Data Science
Oxana studied Economic Cybernetics in Ukraine before pursuing a successful career in HR at organisations including Nike, Shell and the World Bank Group in Europe and Asia. She found herself being drawn towards work with more purpose and impact and recently returned to her first loves of math and science by retraining in Statistics at Victoria University of Wellington.
Oxana holds a MSc in Statistics specialising in fisheries science.
The host
Millie Douglas
Senior Career Consultant, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Millie is a Senior Career Consultant with a passion for helping people reflect on their talents, achievements and aspirations, and navigate career opportunities with greater confidence. At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, she works with students from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, providing individual guidance and workshops on employability topics.
Her previous experience includes supporting school and college students, school leavers, people experiencing long-term unemployment and trade apprentices. Millie is a registered career practitioner and has been a member of CDANZ for more than 25 years. She loves meeting people and hearing their unique stories, experiences and aspirations.