About me

I have extensive experience of working with young people not only at the key transition points in their educational development and progression, but also at the points inbetween when they are exploring and formulating their ideas about their next steps.

Working in a secondary educational environment, I have supported entire year groups through the process of deciding on GCSEs, A Levels, alternative options to Sixth Form, university choices and courses, and apprenticeships and first/part time jobs.

I have a strong track record in supporting students successfully through UCAS applications, Oxbridge and Medicine applications, apprenticeship applications and an indepth understanding of how the different processes work, and how to help them achieve these goals.

This includes helping them to understand the different application processes, what to do to ensure their application stands out and leads to interviews and/or offers for their desired destination. Key within this is supporting students in preparing focussed, relevant personal statements and apprenticeship application answers that will resonate in reflecting their personality, interest and understanding, and open the door for interviews and assessments, and supporting in the preparation for these too.

Integral to this is also the time inbetween - successful applications are part of a process of buiding evidence of interest, intellectual curiosity and relevant skills and understanding how to relate this to what you want to do and convey it successfully. This can include super-curricular engagement, work experience, school-led projects, and society and club leadership and engagement in and out of school. society leadership.

I ensure my understanding of developments and shifts of UCAS processes and university and apprenticeship requirements is up to date through continous professional development, and that my understanding of Labour Market Information, through extensive links with industry, is consistently up to date so I can support young people appropriately and correctly.

Close-up photo of a woman with long blonde hair, wearing earrings and a dark top, standing in front of a white pegboard with black holes.

My ethos

I understand the importance of working on the young person’s level and respecting this - this is not a ‘one size fits all’ process.

Every young person is different and can have a different way of working and interacting. Building trust through listening to them and working at their pace will lead to the most productive and helpful interactions and consequent outcomes.

My credentials

  • Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance & Development

  • Registered Member of the Careers Development Institute, the UK’s professional body for careers practictioners - ensuring impartiality and adherence to the Code of Ethics

  • Enhanced DBS check

  • University of Manchester - BA Hons History

  • 13 years experience working in a top Hertfordshire secondary school rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted

  • Previous experience of working in the recruitment and PR industry

  • LinkedIn profile - linkedin.com/in/jo-zanetti-90102946