This week I attended the launch of the innovative careers website, icould.
The site is a great example of the potential of the social web in careers work. It comprises more than 1,000 video stories, featuring a mixture of celebrities and members of the public telling their career stories.
This narrative approach is an exciting development and provides those exploring career ideas a new way to learn about the world of work. Everyone's story is unique, and the personal element is deliberately designed to inspire people. It's a refreshing alternative to the standard, impersonal careers information sheet handed out to generations of advice seekers.
Registered users can comment on stories, and share their favourites through a range of social media connections - e.g. Facebook, Bebo, Digg, Delicious etc.
Although you can search by occupational areas, the clips database can also be searched by very different life themes - for example stories from people who took risks to get where they are today, or people who have faced discrimination, or who did not blossom until after leaving school.
Some example stories are available on youtube - search for the tag "icouldstories".
