This week I've been using Linkedin to help me improve and update my CV. I watched two of their videos which gave me some up to date advice before I made a start and that gave me some good pointers. I also had a video appointment with a careers adviser Susan Cayton, who was very encouraging and gave me some interesting suggestions about preparing for life 'post-covid'.
I found the whole process really useful and it's given me the opportunity to consider the skills, qualifications and work experience I've gathered over the years, in a fresh light. I have been reminded during this process of the importance of networking (in a selective fashion) and having a strong Linkedin profile. I have also realized how far I've come in terms of my personal goals and achievements. In life, it is rare to really stop and take stock of your past, present and future - and that is what I've been doing this week.
Ultimately, I am aiming to create a one page CV. I am well aware that people are busy and just want to scan for keywords, before reducing the volume of applicants and investigating further. So I will have an 'in-depth' version on hand and a one-page version too. What follows is some (not all) of the in-depth version.
Here's how far I've got:
Contact: kathyrowan18@hotmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/kathyrowan-796783155 (LinkedIn)
Top Skills: Art Astrology Teaching
Kathy Rowan Magical Artist and Workshop Facilitator.
Professional Astrologer and Esoteric Teacher. Blackpool
Summary
Kathy is a Visionary Artist who creates atmospheric and ethereal artworks. She is also a Professional Astrologer and an experienced, qualified Teacher of Adults. She has been self-employed, offering a variety of consultations, classes and workshops since 2001. She is currently studying Fine Arts and will graduate in 2021.
Experience
Self-Employed Teacher and Workshop Facilitator. July 2007 - Present (13 years 5 months) Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
After teaching for the local college for six years I decided to branch out on my own and teach classes and workshops independently. This role requires patience, enthusiasm, good organisational skills, a sense of humour and excellent communication skills. I have been teaching a wide variety of esoteric and artistic classes and workshops from home, at residential weekends, camps and conferences ever since. I also created correspondence courses which I changed to online courses as students became more computer literate. This year I have used Zoom to overcome covid restrictions. This has enabled me to continue to support my students and clients by continuing to provide lessons and consultations.
Self-Employed Professional Astrologer October 2001 - Present (19 years 2 months) Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
I have been working as a professional astrologer for almost 20 years. This has given me skills in promoting and running my own business. I was the astrologer for Radio Lancashire for 5 years and taught the subject to adults at Blackpool and the Fylde college for six years. I have also written a monthly astrology column for YQ Magazine and been on SKY TV being interviewed Page 1 of 3 about astrology. My client work involves providing consultations and character analysis, relationship analysis, yearly forecasts and 'souls journey readings' in person or online. I am also an experienced speaker about astrological and esoteric subjects and have provided talks and workshops to many clubs, societies and conferences. Furthermore, I have taught astrology from beginners to advanced levels in classes and workshops, both in person and online.
Freelance Exhibition Manager and Artist September 2020 - November 2020 (3 months) Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
I was offered an exhibition by the managers of the HIVE Art Group and asked to provide Magical Art to complement the time of year (pre-Halloween). I worked in collaboration with the artist Mark Hetherington (who is also my partner) and created an exhibition called 'A Discovery of Witches'. His work referenced historical witchcraft in the area, namely the Pendle Witches. My artwork focussed on modern-day witchcraft, the importance of the Moon and other planets. Also magical places and sacred spaces. This project involved preparing the artworks, publicizing the event, curating my artworks and working in collaboration with my partner and the management of HIVE. It was a challenging project and I learned a lot from this great opportunity.
Freelance Exhibition Manager and Artist September 2019 - February 2020 (6 months) Blackpool, England, United Kingdom In the second year of my Fine Art Degree,
I decided to have an Exhibition. This involved finding and booking a suitable venue and collaborating with other artists. I led the organisation of the event, dividing jobs up between us. It was my responsibility to promote the event with press releases, the creation of posters and social media promotions. Communication skills and teamwork were crucial to the success of this venture. At the private view, I interacted with members of the public, took photos and sold artworks. It was a happy occasion and we had a successful exhibition.
Blackpool and The Fylde College Life Model September 2014 - June 2018 (3 years 10 months) Blackpool, England, United Kingdom
In this position, I was employed on a bank staff basis to model in the art department. This position required a CRB check as some of the students were under 18. I modelled clothed and naked for different groups from Foundation Level to Graduate students. The role required confidence, good timekeeping, flexibility and reliability. I enjoyed working in an artistic environment and seeing the students progress.
Blackpool and The Fylde College Adult Education Teacher January 2000 - June 2007 (7 years 6 months) Blackpool Area
During this period I taught Astrology, Tarot, Qabalah, Numerology, Guided Meditation and other esoteric subjects in and around the Blackpool area for the local educational authority. I taught weekly classes, day workshops and summer schools and took part in publicity events on behalf of the college. I also dealt with the necessary paperwork, meetings and lesson plans required of the position. During this period my confidence and experience as a teacher of adults grew. I found teaching to be enjoyable and rewarding, so I continued teaching privately when I left this position.
Education
Blackpool and The Fylde College - Bachelor of Arts - BA, Fine Art and Professional Practice · (2018 - 2021)
In my first year I researched and created two bodies of work, the first was 'Moon Magic' inspired by the work of the writer and occultist Dion Fortune. The second entitled 'Bondage' investigated vulnerability and male gaze theory. I experimented in the second year to develop my studio skills and my work became more process-based. My research during that period focused on 'Goddesses' and in particular the Paleolithic 'Venus' Figurines. This led me to delve deeper and discover the Venus of Hohle Fels, which is the oldest figurative artwork in the world. This became the subject of my dissertation, which explores the figurine from a Goddess Feminist perspective. My studio practice in the third year compliments this, featuring prehistoric stone circles and exploring the Divine Feminine and mysterious fragments of remembering.
Usui Reiki - Reiki Master and Teacher, Healer and Teacher · (2006 - 2007)
I studied Reiki for two years beginning with the first level of Reiki which teaches you to heal yourself, family and friends. Then I progressed to the second level which increased your healing abilities, teaches you the Reiki symbols and how to operate a Reiki Business. Finally, I was attuned to the highest level, which is Reiki three. This taught me how to teach Reiki at all levels and attune others. After completing my Reiki Masters and Teachers qualification I incorporated Reiki into my esoteric healing and teaching businesses offering Reiki healing treatments and teaching workshops. Many of my students have become successful healers, teach others, operate their own Reiki businesses and some work voluntarily offering their skills to community organisations such as the local Hospice.
Mayo School of Astrology - Diploma, Astrology · (2001 - 2001)
This course gave me a sound training in all advanced aspects of interpretation and applying the astrological craft to the highest standard. The qualification is for serious students who intend to embark on astrological consultancy work, research, write and/or teach. Upon completion, students can use the D.M Astrol title after their name. I passed this qualification which usually takes 3 years of study within 9 months, with outstanding results.
Blackpool and The Fylde College - Further Education Certificate 730/7 City and Guilds (1999 - 2000)
This course taught me to:
Prepare lesson plans that are relevant, timely and engaging
Plan and present a live teaching session for assessment
Work in a team preparing and delivering a group teaching session
Reflect on each lesson and adapt my teaching to the individual needs of the learners
Plan lessons with an awareness of time management and structure
Develop good presentation skills,
Improve my communication skills
Have an awareness of different types of learners, disability and diversity
Be professional at all times and aware of boundaries.
When I completed the course I applied to work at the Blackpool and Fylde College as a non-vocational adult education teacher of astrology. As my experience grew in this area I began teaching other related subjects as weekly classes, introductory sessions and workshops. During this period (six years) I learned a lot about communication, patience and paperwork. It was a valuable experience.
Blackpool and The Fylde College - RSA 1, 2, 3 Wordprocessing and Textprocessing (1998)
After completing this course I left the jobcentre where I had worked as an Administrative Officer for six years and became the Personal Secretary and Office Manager at Mellors Architects in Lytham. After a year the company moved away from the area so I joined the NHS as a Personal Secretary.
Voluntary Work
Student Representative, Blackpool and The Fylde College, Sept 2018 – Jun 2019, Volunteer duration: 10 months
In the first year of my Fine Art Degree, I volunteered to be a Student Representative for my class. My responsibilities included: Attending meetings and communicating information to staff and students. Acting as a voice for the students and passing information and ideas on in an objective and confidential way. Performing my duties professionally with an understanding of diversity and equality.
Local Organiser and Secretary, Pagan Federation North West, April 1993 - July 1998. Volunteer duration 5yrs 2 months
I joined the Pagan Federation and volunteered to help as a local organiser. This involved replying the enquiries by letter and being available to represent the Pagan Federation in the local community, responding to enquiries from the public and the press. I also attended committee meetings and helped organise the annual conference. I later volunteered to be the Secretary which involved sending out the agenda for meetings, taking minutes and distributing them. I also (with my partner) set up a local group for Pagans to meet on a monthly basis, this required organisational skills, patience, leadership ability and reliability. This was a successful group and it ran for about ten years.
Committee Member, Secretary, Treasurer, Webmaster, Northern Lights Astrological Society, May 1990 – Present, Volunteer duration: 30 yrs 7 mos
I joined the society in 1990 and became a member of the committee initially. After a few years, I volunteered to be the Secretary and in this role, I was part of an editorial team which wrote and published our society magazine 'Icarus'. In 2016 I changed roles and became the group's Treasurer which involves taking care of the society's finances. I also arrange, host and attend committee meetings, provide the agenda, take and distribute the minutes. I also created and run the groups website, uploading our quarterly ezine and keeping the website up to date with the latest news, events and details of the meetings.
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