Real life stories
Minna's dreams come true
Minna Archer’s dreams of a career in fashion are a step nearer reality as she prepares to fly to Paris for a year to get the essential experience she needs to succeed in this competitive industry.
After finishing her A Levels, Minna, from Canterbury, decided to have a year out before going to University but needed some help with her CV in order to make best use of her gap year.
It was then that she sought professional advice by attending a CV clinic at her local leisure centre. As a result of her freshly re-vamped CV, Minna has managed to get a job as an au pair in the ‘fashion capital’ for a year.
She hopes that during her ’down time’ in Paris, she will be able to get some retail experience at some of the city’s famous fashion houses in order to enhance her CV and help her on the way to realising her ultimate ambition of running her own fashion business.
Minna, who is hoping to study fashion at the London College of Fashion is no stranger to the world of work. She has been making jewellery and designing clothes since she was 12 and more recently, running a business with her mother selling her products in the UK, France and Germany. Both mother and daughter are currently writing a book about their experiences together.
“I am so pleased that I went to the CV workshop,” Minna said. “The advice I was given was fantastic and really helped me with my CV and ultimately get this amazing opportunity to work in Paris. I can’t wait to get over there. While I will be busy looking after the children, I am hoping to get as much fashion retail experience as possible, which will really help me once I go to university and beyond.
Minna is one of many young people up and down the country wondering what to do after finishing school, college or university.
Michael O’Leary, a careers adviser, who helped Minna with her CV, said: “This is always a busy time for young people as they consider their future and for people like Minna, who have just left full time education and not sure what their next move should be, sometimes all they need is the time to talk through their options.
“Often, it is a person’s CVs that can let them down and as this is the first communication individuals have with potential employers, it is important to get it right. Whether looking at getting into work, changing career of moving up the career ladder, getting tailored advice can really help people achieve their goals.
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