Dear Colleagues!
Best regards,
Aigiun Kurbanova
Aigiun Kurbanova
I hope this conference will bring you valuable insights, encourage you to reflect on your role, provide useful knowledge and new tools, and connect you with a warm, supportive community. Invite your colleagues—let's make the Career Forum the best event for career professionals worldwide!
- We want to show that despite being in different parts of the world, we have much in common—we are united by our values, mission, and tools.
- As the founder of a school dedicated to training career professionals, I feel a deep responsibility and see my mission as ensuring the professional growth of our community. This means sharing the most up-to-date information, the latest scientific research in career studies, new methodologies, and effective tools.
Why do we do this?
My name is Aigiun Kurbanova, and I am the founder of the Career Management School and the organizer of the Career Forum conferences. For the past three years, we have been hosting events for career professionals—career counselors, coaches, career guidance specialists, HR professionals, and researchers. Each time, we bring together the most outstanding, insightful, and unique speakers from around the globe.
What can you expect at the conference?
Presentations by leading experts of global renown on career counseling and vocational guidance.
Practical tools, case studies, and methodologies that have been tested in the field.
An international panel of speakers from over 15 countries.
Integrating theory and practice: presentations and studies on career topics, along with workshops and real-life cases from career consultants.
Complimentary online attendance at the conference – you will receive the latest insights on career management.
Speakers
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- Rutuja Kulkarni (Japan)Founder of Beyond The Obvious and a clinical member of the International Mental Health Professionals Japan
- Sophia Morgan (China)Principal at China Maple Leaf Educational Systems, member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling
- Raza Abbas (Pakistan)Head of Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Centre. Focal point at the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network. Editorial board member of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance
- Andreea Szilagyi (Romania)Associate Professor at University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania and ANTIOCH University New England, USA. Founder and Vice President of the Romanian Counselors Association
- Francesca Scelsi (Italy)Co-founder of Azione IKIGAI and founder of Jobscouting.it. Professor at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
- Veneta Uzunova (Bulgaria)PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Humanities at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, specializing in Social-Emotional Learning and Career Counseling, Global Career Development Facilitator
- Marta Forai (Serbia)Expert in HRM and coaching, PCC. Member of Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology
- Tristram Hooley (UK)Professor at the University of Derby. Chief Editor at the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling
- Krishnaveni Thamarai Selvan (Canada)Founder of Career Youniverse, Career Reinvention Specialist, certified Career Strategist & Analyst and a member of Career Professionals of Canada
- Britt-Mari Sykes (Canada)Founder of Canvas Career Counselling. Sessional Lecturer at the University of Ottawa, PhD
- Mihaela Stroe (Romania)Expert in Nonverbal Intelligence, PhD in Nonverbal Communication. Author of four books
- Sujin Kim (Australia)Professor in James Cook University, PhD. Editor in Journal of Career Assessment, Сareer development researcher and educator
- Marlo Lyons (USA)Globally Certified Coach, Award-Winning Author, Host of Work Unscripted Podcast, Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Higher Ed Consultant
- Pavel Kiselev (Russia)Architect of HR software, co-author of the Digital Human® methodology
Target Audience for the Forum
For those eyeing roles as career counselors, child or adult vocational counselors, or career coaches within the helping professions.
For support specialists eager to stay updated with the most recent studies in career and vocational guidance, and to discover new methodologies and tools.
For HR professionals and leaders interested in discovering new trends in career and vocational guidance.
Program Overview
DEAR FORUM PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE NOTE: THE TIMES LISTED ON THE WEBSITE ARE IN CENTRAL EUROPEAN SUMMER TIME (UTC+2). PLEASE CONSIDER THE TIME ZONE DIFFERENCE WHEN PLANNING
09:00-09:30
About the School
09:30-10:00
Igniting & Cultivating Hope
Raza Abbas (Pakistan), head of Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Centre. Focal point at the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network. Editorial board member of the International Association for Educational and Vocational Guidance
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- Let’s Build Hope: understanding the science behind hope
- How we can develop an Internal Reservoir of Hope?
- How to ignite the Hope Reservoir trough Self-Reflection Activity
- How to determine Hope Scale Activity
- Exploring of how Fostering Your Own Hope begins with Roots & Wings
10:00-10:30
Navigating Academic Pressure and Career Choices in Japan: The Role of Schools and Families
Rutuja Kulkarni (Japan), founder of Beyond The Obvious and a clinical member of the International Mental Health Professionals Japan
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- The pressure students face in Japan: academic stress, career choices, and how schools & families can help
- Importance of education and exams in Japan
- How stress, competition, and expectations affect students’ mental health
- Why career decisions feel overwhelming for students
- The influence of tradition and family expectations on career paths
- The emotional and psychological challenges students go throug
- Career counseling guidance mental health support in schools
- Support of parents, supportive environment
- Ways to reduce stress while planning for the future
- Encouraging self-exploration and flexible career paths
- Why mental health awareness is important in schools and families
10:30-11:00
Career Attitudes and Values – What is Important to Young Adults? Stories from Australian University Students
Sujin Kim (Australia), professor in James Cook University, PhD. Editor in Journal of Career Assessment, Сareer development researcher and educator
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- How career values shape career paths and influence career trajectories.
- Shifting priorities in young adults – how much do they really differ from traditional values?
- Key insights & takeaways from interviews with 24 Australian university students.
- Freedom, autonomy, self-fit, and other core values identified.
- How to transform these findings into valuable insights for HR professionals and career practitioners.
11:00-11:15
Advancing Holland’s Career Choice Theory for a Post-Industrial Economy
Pavel Kiselev (Russia), Architect of HR software, co-author of the Digital Human® methodology
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Read more →
11:15-11:45
Specifics of Career Guidance for Teenagers in China
Sophia Morgan (China), principal at China Maple Leaf Educational Systems, member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling
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- An interactive and engaging presentation on career guidance for teenagers in China
- The impact of academic pressure, parental expectations, and limited career exposure on decision-making
- Comparison of China’s approach with global practices
- Learning from each other: structured career counseling, real-world learning opportunities
- Practical strategies for students, parents, and educators
- Supporting informed and flexible career choices
11:45 – 12:15
The Dynamic Interplay: Singularity and Career Development in the Quest for Meaning and Purpose
Andreea Szilagyi (Romania), Associate Professor at University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Romania and ANTIOCH University New England, USA. Founder and Vice President of the Romanian Counselors Association
- Singularity, as a catalyst for change: exploring how the potential surpass of human intelligence could redefine the world of work.
- Navigating uncertainty and rediscovering of meaning: the human element in a tech-driven age.
- Empowering counselors: navigating with clients through transition and transformation.
13:15 – 13:45
The C.R.E.E.A. Model - a Unique Approach to Career Guidance
Francesca Scelsi (Italy), co-founder of Azione IKIGAI and founder of Jobscouting.it. Professor at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
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- How visualizing the future, rethinking limiting beliefs, and expanding career possibilities can profoundly transform a professional path
- The C.R.E.E.A.® method and the IKIGAI model – how they emphasize the importance of focusing on desires rather than fears
- How to structure change into clear, concrete steps and make career transitions more achievable
- Aligning personal aspirations with market opportunities as a way to sustain motivation, authenticity, and professional growth
- How to maintain competitiveness in a job market increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence using these methods
13:45 – 14:15
Beyond Technical Skills: Developing Self-Awareness and Career Thinking
Veneta Uzunova (Bulgaria), PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Humanities at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, specializing in Social-Emotional Learning and Career Counseling, Global Career Development Facilitator
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- The success of young people in VET today is not solely defined by technical skills but by their ability to develop self-awareness, understand their values, and navigate their careers with confidence and vision
- How the workshop guided students on a journey of self-discovery, helping them recognize opportunities and learn how to maximize them
- Self-awareness as a key strength—transforming knowledge into wisdom, ambition into achievements, and dreams into reality
- Observing growth in essential soft skills, the ability to overcome challenges, and the realization that a career is a purposeful and dynamic journey rather than just choosing a profession
- The role of mentors and consultants in inspiring, supporting, and guiding students—helping them unlock and harness the most valuable tool for success: their own minds and hearts
- Presentation of the programme, methods, process, challenges, turning points, and feedback, along with visual documentation
14:15 – 14:45
Empowering Job Seekers Through AI: A Human-Centered, Ethical, and Future-Focused Approach
Marta Forai (Serbia), expert in HRM and coaching, PCC. Member of Psi Chi – The International Honor Society in Psychology
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- How career counselors can strategically leverage AI-driven tools to enhance key aspects of the job search—optimizing ATS-friendly resumes, refining LinkedIn profiles, and preparing for interviews while preserving each client’s unique voice
- Emotional and ethical dimensions of AI adoption—how to navigate common fears while maintaining transparency and authenticity
- Ways to stay current with emerging AI trends and guide clients toward future-proof career strategies
15:00 – 15:30
Leading Good Careers Programmes in Schools'
Tristram Hooley (UK), professor at the University of Derby. Chief Editor at the National Institute for Career Education and Counselling
15:30 – 16:00
The Power of First Impressions: How to Be Seen as Trustworthy and Credible in Any Job Interview
Mihaela Stroe (Romania), expert in Nonverbal Intelligence, PhD in Nonverbal Communication. Author of four books
- The science behind credibility and trust – key nonverbal cues that shape an interviewer’s perception.
- Assessing trustworthiness – practical insights for both candidates and interviewers.
- The role of professional appearance, body language, and impression management – how they enhance or undermine credibility.
- Confidence and authenticity – strategies from PhD research to help candidates leave a lasting positive impression.
- Standing out in a competitive job market – mastering nonverbal elements to increase job interview success.
16:00 – 16:30
Topic and speaker for approval
16:45 – 17:15
Your Career is a Story: Rewrite, Reframe and Reinvent with Narrative Counseling
Krishnaveni Thamarai Selvan (Canada), founder of Career Youniverse, Career Reinvention Specialist, certified Career Strategist & Analyst and a member of Career Professionals of Canada
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17:15 – 17:45
Working with Clients from an Experiential and Existential Perspective
Britt-Mari Sykes (Canada), founder of Canvas Career Counselling. Sessional Lecturer at the University of Ottawa, PhD
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- Explanation of why the way we perceive work, the meaning we attach to career, and access to opportunities are deeply existential aspects of life.
- How work provides a space to develop skills, contribute to communities, and sustain life.
- How addressing career challenges through a contextual and experiential approach enables a deeper and more holistic perspective.
- Exploring clients’ expectations and aspirations to help integrate their personal definitions of stability and success.
- Understanding the fulfillment derived from work and strategies for navigating inevitable career transitions, disengagement, and burnout.
17:45 – 18:15
How to Help a Client Land Their First Job
Marlo Lyons (USA), Globally Certified Coach, Award-Winning Author, Host of Work Unscripted Podcast, Organizational Effectiveness Strategist, Higher Ed Consultant
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- Beyond resumes and interviews — helping clients discover their «why» and build a standout personal brand.
- Targeted job search strategies — how to approach job hunting with focus and efficiency.
- The power of networking — leveraging connections to uncover hidden opportunities.
- Effective interview preparation — equipping clients with confidence and the right mindset.
- Long-term career success — turning the first job into a stepping stone for a fulfilling, purpose-driven future.
Aigun Kurbanova (Poland)
- Founder of the School of Career Management
- It is included in the top 100 HRD 2022 according to the Kommersant Publishing House
- Experience as HR Director for more than 20 years (East-West, Domodedovo, Magnit).
- Certified coach of ICU (International Coaching Union)
- Career Consultant
Rutuja Kulkarni (Japan)
- Counseling Psychologist, Hypnotherapist, Career Counselor and School Counselor based in Tokyo, with roots in India.
- Experienced in supporting students' health and wellbeing.
- Passionate about integrating mental health support into career guidance.
- Specializes in anxiety, depression, relationships, academic pressure and trauma healing.
- Mission to empower individuals across the globe to overcome life’s challenges and rediscover their inner strength.
Sujin Kim(Australia)
- Career development researcher and educator, exploring the intersection of work, education, and policy.
- Expert in career pathways, labor market trends, and education policy, supporting workforce transitions.
- Faculty at James Cook University, designing curricula and leading research on career development.
- Active mentor and collaborator, helping professionals navigate career transitions.
Veneta Uzunova (Bulgaria)
- PhD, Associate Professor, expert in the Theory of Education and Didactics (Social-Emotional Learning).
- Head of the Department of Humanities at the Department for Information and In-Service Teacher Training at Trakia University, Stara Zagora.
- Honorary Lecturer in Career Counseling in Master’s Programs at New Bulgarian University and Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski".
- Psychologist, Certified Coach, and Career Counselor (Master's in Psychology, Certified by Mentor Coaches, and holder of the Global Career Development Facilitator Certificate).
Marlo Lyons (USA)
- Globally Certified Coach with over 20 years of experience advising executives and teams.
- Strategic Advisor on Organizational Effectiveness, specializing in leadership development and communication strategies.
- Award-Winning Author, regularly published in Harvard Business Review.
- Host of the "Work Unscripted" Podcast, covering topics on career growth, leadership, and effective communication.
- Higher Education Consultant, supporting strategic development and enhancing the effectiveness of educational institutions
Krishnaveni Thamarai Selvan (Canada)
- Career Reinvention Specialist, Essential Skills Coach, and Employment Counselor based in Vancouver, with roots in India.
- Founder of Career Youniverse, empowering professionals to navigate career transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
- Expert in career development, coaching, and training
- Currently working on book, "Borders of Courage", about navigating change across borders, finding belonging, and embracing the limitless potential of reinvention
Pavel Kiselyov (Russia)
Architect of personnel management software, co-author of the Digital Human® methodology, author of papers
Scientist advancing the ideas of Lev Vygotsky and Yevgeny Klimov.
Proponent of an approach based on individual style and social constructivism in career development.
Co-creator of a Career-guidance Robot.
Author of the paper "Career guidance based on machine learning: social networks in professional identity construction".
Author of the paper "Predicting verbal reasoning from virtual community membership in a sample of Russian young adults".
Scientist advancing the ideas of Lev Vygotsky and Yevgeny Klimov.
Proponent of an approach based on individual style and social constructivism in career development.
Co-creator of a Career-guidance Robot.
Author of the paper "Career guidance based on machine learning: social networks in professional identity construction".
Author of the paper "Predicting verbal reasoning from virtual community membership in a sample of Russian young adults".
Sophia Morgan (China)
- Doctor of Education: STEM Leadership
- Masters of Business Administration: Corporate Finance
- Bachelors of Education: Mathematics Education
- Bachelors of Science: Computing and Information Technology
- Diploma in Teaching: Mathematics and Computer Science
Francesca Scelsi (Italy)
Career Consultant and Co-Founder of Azione IKIGAI, with over 15 years of experience in career counseling, coaching, and human resources, she specializes in professional transitions, skill development, and purpose facilitation. She promote a culture of professional fulfillment and supporting hundreds of individuals in defining their career paths with clarity and confidence.
Francesca also serves as a lecturer at various institutions, companies, and universities, providing training on Career Counseling and soft skills. Passionate about helping people identify and pursue their professional purpose, she guides professionals through strategic career planning and targeted coaching.
Francesca also serves as a lecturer at various institutions, companies, and universities, providing training on Career Counseling and soft skills. Passionate about helping people identify and pursue their professional purpose, she guides professionals through strategic career planning and targeted coaching.
Britt-Mari Sykes (Canada)
- Britt-Mari Sykes Ph.D. is a Career Counsellor and the founder of CANVAS Career Counselling.
- She is a Career Development Practitioner (CDP), a member of Career Professionals of Canada, and the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Career Professional Award of Excellence.
- She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa specializing in Existential and Experiential Psychotherapies.
- She is a sessional and guest lecturer on historical and contemporary Existential Psychology and Theories.
- She is the author of Questioning Psychological Health and Well-Being (2010), a historical and contemporary examination of the meaning of psychological health and development.
- She is working on her second book: a collection of essays on the meaning of career and our relationship with work from an existential career counselling perspective
Marta Forai (Serbia)
- Expert in integrating AI solutions into coaching and consulting practices,
- Master in Cognitive Psychology & Neuroscience
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy practitioner
- Certified Facilitator of Accelium Methodology – gamified cognitive skill development
- ICF Professional Certified Coach
Raza Abbas (Pakistan)
- Global Multi Award Winning Career Practitioner, Coach
- Certified Confident Career Conversations- Facilitator
- Vice President Hope Institute-Intl. Hope Cultivator, Impactful Trainer
- Focal Person: UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network- Pakistan
- International Board of Directors- IAEVG
- Head of Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Center
Participation Options
100 EUR
«STANDARD»
Live viewing of speaker presentations on April 11
- Recordings of the presentations
- Speakers' presentations
- Additional materials
- Participation certificate
Discount available until April 11
0 EUR
«FREE»
Live viewing of speaker presentations on April 11
- Additional materials
- Participation certificate
- Recordings of the presentations
- Speakers' presentations
Discount available until April 11
- Sophia Morgan. Workbook "The Specifics of Career Guidance for Teenagers in China"
- Mihaela Stroe. A chapter from the book "Put Yourself First in Your Life!" with the title BUILD YOUR MINDSET FOR SUCCESS
- Sophia Morgan. Guide "Career and College Blueprint: A Three-Year Advising Curriculum for High School Students" and 30% discount on the workbook "The High Schooler's Guide to College and Career Planning"
For «FREE» and «STANDARD»
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
Career Forum 2025
Participation
Olga Ismagilova (Czech)
- As a Certified Career Coach and Consultant, I help professionals to achieve their career and life goals by leveraging my 25-year expertise in finance, sustainability, and business transformation. I have worked with market leaders in Fortune 100 companies of telecom, Big4, and industrial automation across 42 diverse markets.
- A CIMA Fellow, a CGMA Digital Mindset holder, representing Czechia in the Mainland Europe Area committee of AICPA-CIMA.
- The Mentor at FemmePalette (since 2022), The Mentoring Club (since 2021), Mentium (since 2015).
- Mentees and couchees are from 24 countries of 5 continents (EMEA, APAC, Americas, Africa).
- A speaker on conferences and universities.
- I lived in 6 countries. I built my 20-year career journey as an international finance professional from Kazakhstan to a global position at Honeywell.
JoAnn Corley-Schwarzkopf (USA)
- Is a highly recommended executive leadership and career advisor focused on holistic career planning and management.
- For 25 years she has devoted herself to this philosophy, «When each person is their best human self, secure in their talent and purpose, we will have great organizations!».
Mary McMahon (Australia)
- Is an Honorary Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, School of Education.
- Mary is a developer and co-author of the Systems Theory Framework of career development.
- She researches and publishes on lifespan career development, narrative and systems approaches to career counselling, and qualitative career assessment.
Katerina Lengold (USA)
- A former space tech entrepreneur turned brain researcher and mental health advocate. She is a founder of Neurointegration Institute (California)
- By the age of 23 Katerina sold her space tech startup and became the youngest executive in the world aerospace industry
- After severe burnout she turned her interest from launching satellites to studying human brain
- Katerina’s background includes graduate level studies in social innovation and interpersonal neurobiology from Mindsight Institute in addition to Computer Science, and MBA from MIT and Harvard Business School
Shannon Hodges (Australia)
- Shannon Hodges is Professor Emeritus of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) at Niagara University and Associate Professor of Counselling at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Shannon has over 39 years in the mental health profession providing, teaching, counseling, training, and consultation on six continents.
- His publications, include Creating a meaningful life: A practical guide for counselors, therapists, and other helping professionals, The Counseling practicum and internship manual: A resource for graduate counseling students (4th Ed.), The Professional counselor: Challenges and opportunities, and a novel, The Lonely void: A Bob Gifford counselor mystery.
- Shannon has been awarded for his research, teaching, and leadership and is a longtime member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the Australian Counselling Association.
Liane Hambly (United Kingdom)
- Author of the international best-selling book Creative Career Coaching, Theory into Practice (2019), and acclaimed educator and supervisor of career development professionals.
- Designs programmes and resources that enable career professionals to deliver quality services in challenging situations.
- Author of articles on creativity, uncertainty, contemplation and whole-brain decision making.
- ·Volunteers for Facework, a social enterprise equipping people to face the changing world of work through skills training.
- Co-author of Sailplaning, Creating a 4D Life and Career (2023)
- Delivered key notes in Australia, the US, New Zealand and the UK.
- Awarded a Career Development Institute fellowship for contribution to the career development field.
- Runs her own career coaching and supervision practice.
Aida Dadiani (Russia)
- Expert in career exploration and women's development
- She has conducted over 1,500 hours of consultations with women, helping them make a conscious career choice that considers both career and family values.
- Career psychologist, ACT therapist.
- Author of the transformational career game "Kariyerika".
- Instructor and creator of educational programs on career guidance and counseling.
Caterina Calsamiglia (Spain)
- Is Research Professor at Institute of Political Economy and Governnace.
- Her research focuses on Public Economics with an emphasis on school choice, affirmative action and welfare economics. Her work includes theoretical, experimental and empirical analysis.
Madina Bilyalova (Kazakhstan)
- President of the Association of Independent Career Counselors and Consultants of Kazakhstan
- PCC-level Coach
- Author of the "Expert Career Counselor" course and mentor
- Recognized as the "Best Mentor" in business development programs by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- Expert in psychoemotional diagnostics
- Master's degree instructor
- Business trainer
- Wife and mother of three children
Natavan Namazova (Azerbaijan)
- PhD in Economics, Associate Professor
- Director of the Institute of Sustainable Development
- Lecturer at Azerbaijan Technical University and Azerbaijan State Economic University for over 10 years
- Author of approximately 30 scientific papers and the book "Labor Economics and Digital Transformation"
- Researcher at Kaunas University of Technology, Istanbul University, and Yıldız Technical University
Dominik Froehlich (Austria)
- Professor.
- Career researcher, entrepreneur, and career coach.
- His main focus is on learning and professional development for knowledge-based careers.
Laura Garcia (Spain)
- Works as an R&D associate at Pentabilities.
- Her expertise encompasses the instruction and guidance of educators alongside rigorous research regarding the improvement of learning environments through development of socio-emotional skills for both teachers and students.
Juan Valencia (Columbia)
- Works as the Product Manager of Pentabilities.
- His main role is to understand different users of the product like students and teachers and ensure the product responds to their needs, so that technology is a tool for the development of Socio-Emotional Skills.
Aaron Basko (USA)
- Higher education leader, speaker, and author Aaron Basko shares his unique insights to help others manage their education, career, and professional development.
- Over his 30-year career, Aaron has led four different colleges to enrollment turnarounds, spoken and taught at a national and international level, and written or been quoted in a wide range of publications, including Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education, inside Higher Ed, and The Times Higher Education in the UK.
- Aaron is the author of three career development books, including his latest - Find Your Purpose. Manage Your Career, as well as Master Any Language Faster, and The Homeschool College Planner, available on amazon.com/author/aaronbasko.
Lyudmila Skobeleva (Lithuania)
- Coach
- Psychologist
- Future career advisor