Niamh agrees with us that young women are the answer to how the future will look. Not only she is a young woman herself but she has made it her purpose in life to help others like her to find their voice, goals and worth in a world in which seems like there is one way only to be successful. 

We can't agree more with the idea of women following their passions, being fulfilled personally and professionally and redefining what success is for them.

Who is Niamh and what is your story?

I am an ICF trained career coach and founder of #Goals, a career coaching and personal development consultancy helping millennial women to gain clarity on their career goals, unlock their true potential and build a career that fulfils them.

Outside of work, I’m a lover of morning routines, good skincare, early nights, reality tv and reading all of the books I can get my hands on. I’m lucky to have some incredible mentors, loyal friends and family and my little Jack Russell, Basil who has my heart.

What is your goal as a coach?

 To show young women that they have exactly what it takes to make their dreams happen.

Why and how did you start this project?

 I decided to leave university at 19 and pursue a more creative path in my life. I learned pretty quickly that those with creative passions, often struggle to find the right career support and I’ve spent the last 5 years on a mission to change that. Since then there have been ups and downs, amazing highs and pretty tough lows but I’ve learned an incredible amount about the creative industry and myself, in particular my passion for building side-hustles, embracing self-employment and helping others build their dream career. 

What is the biggest impact you have had since you have followed this path?

 I’ve successfully coached students, graduates and those making early career moves in finding and creating the role of their dreams both as an employee and in launching their own businesses. I wish I could put into words the true joy and excitement I feel when these women tell me about their dreams of starting their own business and then go and launch those businesses. I’m like a kid at Christmas. Being part of the journey as they build up their self-belief and realise for themselves the absolute heroes that they are is so powerful.

What is your biggest learning?

 When the seeds of #Goals was planted in my mind a few years ago, I imagined that a lot of my work would be based around the practical elements of career support things like helping build portfolios, pitching for freelance work, supporting in the admin and financial side of starting and running your own business but the more I got to know my ideal clients and target market and also my strengths, the more it became apparent that the things that hold us back the most are related to our confidence and our self-belief. Hearing the stories of those with brilliant ideas underestimate themselves both breaks my heart and spurs me on to work harder on my mission. 

What is the big vision for the future?

 My dream is to have a physical #Goals studio, a collaborative community space for young women starting in their career. Somewhere we can come for workshops to learn together, somewhere they can come to work on their craft, to build their portfolio and support them in their journey of self-development and career growth. I daydream about that studio every day.

 In terms of the impact of #Goals, my big vision is to empower all young women to celebrate their worth and understand how truly powerful their dreams are and further to that, how powerful they are as individuals in making those dreams happen. Someday I hope to have scholarships to help fund some of these dreams.

---

What is Feminism for you?

To me feminism means my achievements speak for themselves, regardless of my gender.

Which “everyday sexism” really bothers you?

I’m a curious person by nature so I tend to have a lot of questions. I’ve learned to embrace that and not feel embarrassed even when my questions seem obvious or silly to others. It’s something I don’t know the answer to so why wouldn’t I ask, you know? However, mansplaining is an “everyday sexism” that really gets to me especially in areas of my own expertise. Trust me, if I have a question I’ll ask.

Do you remember when you start identifying as a Feminist and why?

I can’t remember an exact moment but when I entered the working world, my eyes were quickly opened to the presence of sexism in the workplace. Being the only woman on small teams made that very apparent, very quickly. Being made to feel like something delicate and fragile, to be tended to, not to be sworn in front of, censoring language and particular ‘business’ conversations because it wouldn’t be appropriate to discuss in front of a lady...my blood boils thinking about it.

What is your favourite Feminist quote?

“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.”

What is your feminist recommendation?

• Book: The Regulars by Georgia Clark, (bit of a controversial look at the beauty standards set for women)
• TV show: Killing Eve
• Film: Wadjda -Homecoming, Becoming, On The Basis of Sex

What is your feminist call of action to whoever is reading?

Stand your ground. Know your worth. HONOUR your worth. And know that it’s ok to walk away when your values aren’t being respected.