The Purposeful Careers program was developed by our Head Purposeful Career’s Coach — Annemarie Cross.
Meet our Purposeful Careers Coach — Annemarie Cross
Annemarie Cross is a Career & NLP Coach, a Certified Reach Personal Branding Strategies and Certified Reach Online ID Strategist and Workplace Counsellor, and Author of 10 key steps to Ace that Interview, and has been supporting job seekers from diverse backgrounds from all over the globe since 1995.
Annemarie holds internationally-recognised certifications in resume writing, employment interviewing and career coaching, and qualifications in Human Resources, Training & Assessment, Career and Workplace Counselling and Personal Branding. Annemarie is also an NLP Master Practitioner and Trainer.
As a member within numerous associations including Career Development Association of Australia, Career Directors International, and Career Management Alliance, Annemarie continues to demonstrate her commitment to remaining at the forefront of this industry in order to deliver only the best career solutions for her clients.
Annemarie’s personal career journey…
My personal journey…
A horse riding accident at the tender age of 15 turned my entire world upside down. It was March of 1983 when it happened – my girth strap snapped causing me to fall off my mount with the blow to my head as I hit the ground causing a concussion. At least that was what I was told, as I still cannot remember that fateful event from a few hours before through to the next day.
Following the accident, I began to experience frequent headaches, a loss of concentration and inability to study, preventing me from continuing my schooling. I had dreamed of being a teacher, planning to complete Form 6 and 7 at college, and then going on to university to get my degree. However the accident changed that, as for the next 6 months I attended a concussion clinic at the local hospital undergoing extensive treatment to strengthen my memory and concentration.
At the completion of the treatment there were only a few months until the end of the year, so it was decided that I would return to school and repeat Form 6 the following year, while getting a part time job until that time. After a month of working in a small milk bar, my parents thought that rather than returning to school I could continue working while attending night school to further my education. I could not imagine myself working in a milk bar for the rest of my life, so it was not long after that I secured an Office Junior role with a health food company. What surprised me was that I absolutely loved it. I say ‘surprised’ as it was something I thought I would hate, vowing never to work in an office. The ‘just in case’ subjects I took at school, namely ‘secretarial practice’ and ‘accounting’, ended up providing me with the knowledge to shine in this new role, and it was not long after that I was promoted and received two subsequent pay rises. I returned to night school, completed a number of accounting subjects, and steadily worked my way up to an office management role.
Six years on, working in various office management, bookkeeping and administrative roles, marriage, and my first child, I left the ‘paid’ workforce to take on the role as primary carer for my family. After a year of being at home I began to get restless so bought my first P.C. and established a secretarial business. During this time I also continued my studies (in accounting) and later within business management with an emphasis on human resources. Once I began my studies in human resources, something clicked – I had found a subject that I was totally enthralled by and wanted to learn more about. So I also enrolled in a counselling diploma, majoring in Workplace Issues and career counselling, as well as a handful of additional certificates in resume writing, interviewing and other career related topics.
After having left the workforce and undergoing further self-assessments, exploration, professional development and self-reinvention, I underwent another career transition to that of a Career Coach & Workplace Counsellor, and now operate my own career consultancy. It is in this role that I truly believe my passion lies, in serving and supporting others in discovering their own passion, allowing them to regain meaning and purpose in their work – something which I experience each and every day.
Upon reflection, my entire career path seems to have been prompted by serendipitous events – unexpected opportunities that have seen my life evolve from one career path to another. But then I believe that it was a higher power guiding me down that path, allowing me to discover who I was truly meant to be – serving in a role that allows me to use my gifts and talents to ultimately fulfil my life’s calling. Am I sad when I think I was not able to live my dream of being a teacher? Absolutely not – in my current role I hold training workshops so have been able to incorporate my love of educating and supporting people in their learning and personal development. I can honestly say that I love what I do and am thrilled and honoured to be able to support you in your discovery of your purposeful career through our Pursuing Your Passion – Purposeful Careers program.
I would like to share with you a passage from a book titled “Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, which holds significant meaning for me. In it he writes:
“The way in which you define your life, determines your destiny. Your perspective therefore influences how you invest your time, use your talents, and value your relationships.”
My hope for you is that should you decide to join is in one of our upcoming Purposeful Careers Programs is that not only will you achieve significant and powerful changes in your career, but also through other areas of your life too! Here’s to the discovering and living your purpose driven life and career.
Here’s to living your calling!
Annemarie