Mentorship & Creative Growth
EDUCATION and MENTORING
Helping people navigate education, creativity, culture and career — whether you're starting out, starting over, or figuring out what comes next.
Woody, constant companion, occasional life coach.
I never really had a mentor.
When I went to my university employability office at 18 years old and explained that I wanted to work in the music industry, I was treated like I'd suggested building a meth lab in my dorm room and gently redirected toward an entry-level job at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. No shade to Enterprise — but for a music-obsessed creative kid, it wasn't exactly the roadmap I was hoping for.
So throughout my life, I've largely built things through instinct, curiosity, stubbornness and an almost unreasonable belief that if something lights you up enough, it's probably worth pursuing.
That has meant walking up to the head of one of the biggest record labels in the world and telling him I wanted a job. It has meant selling almost everything I owned at 36 and moving to another country to start over and do a PhD. It has meant following ideas, projects, books, music, people and possibilities that didn't always make logical sense on paper — but felt deeply right.
I genuinely believe that with curiosity, hard work, openness and courage, almost anything is possible at any stage of life.
Now, after more than two decades advising students, creatives, researchers, artists, colleagues and collaborators — alongside becoming a licensed STAR Coach practitioner — I want to help other people find that same sense of direction, momentum, possibility and joy.
WHO I WORK WITH
Students & Early-Career Professionals
Choosing a university, exploring career options, building confidence, identifying strengths and finding a direction that feels right for you.
Creatives & Storytellers
Writers, musicians, artists, content creators and entrepreneurs looking to develop ideas, overcome obstacles and build meaningful creative projects.
Academics & Educators
Support with career development, public engagement, publishing, programme development, professional visibility and navigating higher education.
People in Transition
Career pivots, reinvention, second acts, retirement planning, relocation, life changes and figuring out what the next chapter might look like.
Organisations & Institutions
Consulting on curriculum design, programme development, online learning, student experience, creative education, public engagement and cultural initiatives.
my approach
I don't believe there's one right path.
I believe there are many possible paths, and that the challenge is finding the one that feels most authentic, meaningful and sustainable for you.
Whether you're choosing a university, developing a creative project, navigating a career change or imagining an entirely new chapter, my role isn't to tell you what to do.
It's to help you see possibilities you may not yet see for yourself — and build a practical path towards them.
A thoughtful guide for reinvention, creativity, and meaningful second acts.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply allowing yourself to imagine something different.
Whether you're exploring a new direction, developing a creative project, navigating a career transition or wondering what the next chapter might look like, you don't have to figure it out alone.
If you'd like support discovering what comes next — creatively, professionally, intellectually or personally — I'd love to hear from you.
Available for selected one-to-one mentorship, creative development, educational consulting, workshops, talks and collaborative guidance sessions.
There are no such adequate words to describe this woman...he has been an inspiration to me in a number of ways – setting a fine example for being a senior woman in male-dominated industries, putting across your personality whilst maintaining professionalism, but also the importance of following your passion.
Her loyalty to her students is admirable – ensuring we receive the support we deserve, and encouraging students to push their boundaries and aim for the best. Thank you Jen for everything you have done for me!
Lucy Woodbridge, former student, Product and Market Education Specialist at Brightmine, part of LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
Dr. Jennifer Otter Bickerdike is an inspiration and an individual of admiration. Her relentless dedication and commitment to helping those around her further amplifies Jen's demeanor of both kindness and generosity. In her addition to her incredible work ethic and profound ability to succeed at everything she puts her mind to, Jen will always go above and beyond to exceed expectations.
She exudes individuality and is extremely entertaining with a personality that you are quickly drawn too.
In the time that I have known Jennifer, she has inspired me in endless ways and is indefinitely an individual who will continue to achieve inordinate success in everything she does.
An absolute pleasure and joy to know
Amber Maher, former student, Marketing Manager
I first stumbled into Jen's classroom by accident when the tutor I was meant to have that morning did not show up-and 1 consider myself incredibly lucky that this happened!
After about 5 minutes I was in awe and thought "I want to be friends with this woman!"
Her teaching is - albeit somewhat unconventional - always highly exciting and gives an amazing insight in the working of the music industry that one just would not get from anyone without Jen's experience.
That I was not the only person who enjoyed Jen's classes was made obvious by the fact that, unlike other seminars, the number of attending students week to week went up instead of down - a fact that anyone who has had experience with university students will understand is incredible.
Having Jen as a tutor is a privilege and most importantly a lot of fun. If all tutors were like her, universities would not have to worry about student attendance.
Carla Boyd, former student, Director of Digital Marketing at Cineworld Cinemas
Jen's teaching style breaks traditional boundaries, delivering learning experiences that are consistently engaging and thought-provoking. Her passion for our development, combined with her drive to help us see the bigger picture, is truly outstanding, and my group, the course, and the university have all benefited immensely from her influence.
On a personal level, Jen has had a profound impact on my progress through her genuine investment in my development. Thanks to her professional network, I secured an internship at New York Fashion Week - an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams — as well as invaluable contacts within the industry.
Jen encourages us to stand out, be heard, and take risks.
Alice Mercer, former student, Key Account Director, FinTech
Jennifer is one of the most inspiring tutors I have ever had. Since my first lesson with her, I haven't ceased to look forward to every subsequent lesson. She has the ability to make every lesson really interesting, even if the subject is not particularly exciting. At the same time, I feel that her honest, straight-forward stance prepares her students for real-life situations. I am extremely grateful to her for her advice and guidance and consider her to be a definite role model.
Marco Almenaraz-Myford, former student, Marketing Operations & Automation Specialist