Feeling empowered to take control of my path

Alex* found Twining at a pivotal moment in his life when he was facing a series of challenges and needed employment support to help him explore his career aspirations in a safe and supportive space.  Alex was introduced to Lakhvinder, his dedicated Employment Advisor, who supported him to recognise his full professional potential.  Alex is now delighted to be in a new job abroad and looking forward to a new course starting in September!  Here he tells us about his experience with Twining in his own words…

What was your life like before finding Twining and your Employment Advisor?

At a pivotal moment in my life, I connected with Lakhvinder through Twining’s employment support service. Her guidance arrived during a particularly challenging period, as I was grappling with debilitating migraines, financial hardships at home, and the emotional fallout from ending a long-term friendship after returning from my work in Hong Kong. I realized that I had allowed the opinions of others, along with my struggles to find work, to shape my self-esteem and sense of identity. In my pursuit of meeting external standards, I lost sight of my own values and aspirations, neglecting to establish meaningful standards for myself and my relationships.

How did your Employment Advisor help?

When I met Lakhvinder, she provided me with a safe space to express my thoughts and the challenges I was facing. She was not only attentive but also took the time to guide me back on the path toward my dreams. My aspirations included working abroad in teaching or public affairs, as well as pursuing opportunities to begin my acting career. For a long time, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy regarding acting, but Lakhvinder consistently encouraged me to move forward. When I shared my dream of acting, she went out of her way to find multiple resources for acting schools.

Throughout this journey, I faced significant rejection during the application process, often taking it personally and questioning my abilities. However, what stood out to me was Lakhvinder’s unwavering kindness. She consistently reminded me of the triumphs I had achieved in life, even when I mentioned them only in passing. She recognized my potential during times when I struggled to see it myself, uplifting me throughout our sessions - often going slightly over time just to provide the support I needed.

What’s happening in your life now?

I appreciate Lakhvinder’s support as I am now working in Hong Kong as an English teacher, as a result of her encouragement.  This was a decision that made me anxious at first but with her support I was able to confidently step into this opportunity abroad. Additionally, I have also been accepted by Oxford University to commence my PGCE program in September. I’m deeply grateful to Lakhvinder for her guidance and support, which empowered me to take control of my path and pursue what truly fulfils me.

*Name and picture changed to protect client anonymity