Career planning and career change advice specialist Lynley Soper
Lynley has built a strong business around her desire to offer young people help choosing a career and providing practical career change advice for people at any age or stage of working life.
From 2017 Lynley has also provided career support to tertiary students as a career adviser in the University of Otago’s Career Development Centre.
Lynley holds a Graduate Certificate in Career Development from AUT University, and a degree in Business Studies (Massey University). She is a Professional Member of the Career Development Association of New Zealand (CDANZ) and holds a diploma in Professional Coaching.

Need help choosing a career – ask an experienced career practitioner
Lynley set up Lynley Soper Careers in 2010 to offer tailored career advice in Otago and Southland, including specialised early career planning with students and young adults.
Lynley comes from a farming background and has lived and worked in rural communities for many years, particularly in the Agriculture, Tourism and Social Sectors. This has helped her gain insights to a diverse range of career and life pathways from New Zealand’s primary industry through to science and tech, from social and people-based careers to those involving creative and artistic pursuits.
Get help choosing a careerLynley Soper on the rewards giving career change advice
“I enjoy operating as an independent career development practitioner and coach, applying my passion for helping people create opportunities to do work they love” says Lynley.
“I thrive on supporting my clients to learn to ‘captain their own ship’, acquiring the qualifications, experience, networks and career management skills necessary to successfully create opportunities for real meaning in their work and life.
“Professional development and personal growth go hand in hand in shaping us as individuals. It is our experiences as much as the qualifications we attain that help us grow into more rounded individuals and better versions of ourselves.”
Contact Lynley SoperLynley Soper Careers
TESTIMONIALS
Hannah (Yr 13) Southland
After completing the online survey and one on one appointment with Lynley Soper I am feeling focused on my final year at high school and have ideas to point me in the right direction for my next few years of tertiary training. The session didn’t so much narrow my options and set them in concrete, but highlight my strengths and the opportunities available to me. I would definitely recommend this career planning work to anyone, any age, that is serious about heading down a pathway that is right for them.
Maree, Southland
Our children saw Lynley during their senior years at high school.
She made them aware of where their learning strengths were/are and where their passions lay – she goes through this in depth. Her knowledge in this area opens up many options which are available for students, which they not have been aware of before.
With this information, they were then able to ensure they were taking the subjects that would see them be able to apply for the courses they were interested in.
Our eldest son thought it would be a “waste of time”. After his session with Lynley said it was “great” and proceeded to amend his subjects so he could ensure that he had pathways open.
SC Alexandra
I never knew what I wanted to do once I left School, and I wanted my children to have an idea of where they were heading, what subject choices to make, Our daughters friend recommended Lynley to us. Lynley has been amazing, she spent an afternoon with our daughter and she now has an idea of what she would like to do with her life, her strengths, weaknesses and passions. She is very thorough, relates well to young adults and provides a great service. Worth every cent.
Shelley, North Otago
Lynley provided a one on one session tailor made for our two daughters, where they learnt things about themselves that they didn’t know and became aware of career choices that they had not thought about or had passed over. They came away feeling like they had a direction to work towards to.
We have found Lynley honest, very approachable, open, easy to relate to and knows her stuff! Most importantly our girls enjoyed working with Lynley.
We would thoroughly recommend Lynley’s services to any parent/child that is feeling overwhelmed in career planning.
Gaylene, Central Otago
“We are grateful for the time that you have spent with our daughter working through career options, identifying her strengths and helping broaden her thoughts around tertiary study. She has come home really excited about the prospects of her last year at school along with working through her options for university. It was great to see her enthusiasm and how her ideas have expanded around the career path that she is planning following the session with you.
Once again from us, a huge thank you Lynley for walking her through this journey, it exceeded our expectations.”
Charlotte & Sam (Yrs 10 & 11)
We have found Lynley to be very helpful in giving us guidance and knowledge with our pathways for future careers. I would highly recommend Lynley to talk to about your future career and what subjects to take.
Megan, Invercargill
Lynley has been instrumental in providing me the tools to really evaluate both my current and future career pathways, allowing me to create space in my own head to make positive decisions for the future. I am incredibly grateful to Lynley for her calm and insightful guidance during our sessions that really do focus you as an individual. I cannot recommend Lynley enough to anyone who is seeking change in their career or wishing to pursue study options.
Lara, Te Anau
4 years out of high school and I was feeling a little lost. Lynley helped me to assess what was important to me in my career, what skills I already had & narrow down what I wanted to do. She then assisted me in doing research so I could get that dream career! I’m well underway with study & am a lot more confident in my future!