This page is dedicated to the CWA alumni who have enhanced our lovely group over the years. (Please note that not all previous CWA members choose to become alumni and therefore feature on this page.) Alumni feature in no particular order!
Alison Dixon
Gill Sharp
CWA member from the Early 1990s until 2023.
Gill Sharp began writing on careers themes in the 1990s, alongside working as a careers consultant, lecturer, trainer and assessor in schools, colleges and universities. Over the next 30+ years she produced a substantial range of work for educational and professional publications, including regular advice columns in magazines and daily newspapers. She also contributed to numerous internet sites and written content for organisations such as UCAS and the Open University.
In addition, Gill has authored reports for the DfEE and various education and training providers. Her books include “Law Uncovered” and “Look Ahead Fashion”. Her main expertise is in higher education (HE) and graduate employment, particularly in law and art and design.
She continues to work part-time in the HE sector, advising students and recent graduates.
Hilary Nickell
I am a retired career adviser, consultant trainer, author, retreat guide and small business owner.
Since an injury forced early retirement from the Royal Marines and a complete rethink of my own life’s direction; I have always found great meaning in helping others navigate through periods of uncertainty and crisis, to find and unlock their purpose, and have the tools to bring it out into the world.
I believe sympathetic curious active listening, together with deep careers knowledge are the twin foundations of good careers guidance.
I honed the first working in British and European schools and colleges, and practice it to this day as a Trustee and Guide for Crossroads Retreats (mygoodway.org).
The second: researching and sharing deep knowledge on careers information, became the focus of my life’s passion, work and business.
I have seen that the right information, at the right time – can help a person bridge the gap from their ideas and aspirations to how to make them happen.
If I could gather all the best information in one place, I hoped I could help my fellow professionals help many more people than I could ever hope to meet one-on-one!
I worked on the Hints Library system – a pre internet attempt at completeness! I spotted the transformative nature of the internet early and my first publication came in 2000 with How To Books – a timely (though now dated) title ‘Surfing Your Career’, which was the UK’s first comprehensive directory of web-based careers, learning, and training information. Two further editions followed, and by then, I was self-employed.
A generous offer from Troman led to The Internet Uncovered, published in 2006. Around the same time, I ventured into self-publishing with Surf In2 Careers: Career Change, co-authored with my friend and fellow CWA alumni, Alison Dixon. This was quickly followed by a popular series of web posters and career desktop rolodexes, which thrived before internet search engines dramatically improved.
For the past 25 years, I have continued to pursue my passion for mediating and curating the ever-evolving world of careers information online, offering both national and bespoke Career Companion services to schools and colleges.
Letting go of businesses built with passion love and time isn’t easy… I am a Careers Adviser and Guide to my bones! Now I live out my passion, as my family tease me, conducting “job studies” on people I bump into. I’m here as I want to give back to the community of Careers Guides, that I have gained so much learning from myself.