Director Profile - Siobhan Neary
Role in NAEGA
I got involved with NAEGA in 2004 as part of a project to support and grow the infrastructure of the organisation. I then became the convenor for the East Midlands and have continued to contribute to NAEGA conferences and regional events ever since.
Career background
I started working for the Career Service in 1990 after completing the Diploma in Careers Guidance (Dip CG) at Swanley. I initially worked with young people but decided I didn't really like school politics! I progressed on to work with FE and adults, where I began training people in adult guidance after getting involved with the Certificate and Diploma in Adult Guidance and managing the local TEC adult guidance contract. After privatisation of the Careers Service I decided to seek pastures new and in 1996 I became a careers adviser at the University of Derby. My role was to develop accredited careers modules for undergraduates, eventually moving into tendering for national projects and helping to grow the services and diversify the offer for students. I eventually became the Deputy Head of Service when I developed an interest in quality issues and undertook a masters degree in social research which has helped me to straddle the practice/research continuum. After catching the 'quality' bug I worked for the Guidance Council as a quality improvement consultant. This involved working all over the country supporting organisations in adopting and implementing quality standards. During this time I worked with many different types of providers including; voluntary and community, prisons and higher education. I also managed projects and conducted research on a range of guidance related issues including; skills for life, offenders, employers and learning disability.
Current job
After a stint as a freelance consultant I joined the International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS) as an associate in 2004 to develop and promote the e-learning MA Guidance Studies programme. Current I currently work for the centre as the deputy head with responsibilities for continuing professional development activities which includes both academic and work based opportunities. My current areas of research focus on CPD and the practitioner researcher.
Passions
Yoga, Running, Wine, Greece, my ipod, and reading any thing and everything.
Weaknesses
All of the above when I should be working!