Diverse audience seated at an indoor event while a speaker addresses the crowd with a microphone.

 

The stories behind our careers

 

A Live Storytelling Experience Where Professionals Share The Pivots, Choices, Challenges, and Unexpected Turns That Shaped Their Careers

 

 

join the next event
Joyful Black woman reading aloud at a microphone at a professional career event.

what is career story nights?

We spend a lot of time talking about what we do, but rarely about how we got here. Career Story Nights creates space for the stories behind our working lives: the unexpected turns, bold decisions, setbacks, side quests and moments that shaped the way we work today.


Each edition brings together a curated group of storytellers around a theme, sharing their stories live in seven minutes or less.


No presentations or slides. We focus on real stories shared from the heart.

Man playing acoustic guitar while seated, performing for a small audience in a bright modern event space.

Join the next event

14 October | 6:45 PM | Zoku, Amsterdam

The multigenerational edition

 

We're interested in what happens when different generations work alongside one another and in the assumptions that can accompany age and experience. Being too young. Being too old. Being too experienced. Not being experienced enough. This edition brings together career stories from different stages of working life to explore these questions and more.

 

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host an edition

Career Story Nights for Your Team or Organisation

Looking for a different kind of experience for your team, community or conference?


Career Story Nights can be curated around a theme that matters to your audience, with storytellers sharing their own career experiences live on stage.


From finding and preparing storytellers to hosting the evening, we take care of the details so you can bring your people together around stories that spark conversation.

Get in touch
Group of diverse attendees listening attentively at a modern indoor conference or workshop event.

Editions to date

What started as an intimate group of ten people in July 2024 has grown into nine editions across different themes and communities.

The queer edition

July 2026 | Zoku, Amsterdam

We explored the relationship between queerness, identity and work. LGBTQIA+ professionals shared honest stories of belonging, resilience, self-expression, and career navigation across industries.


Woman in black outfit speaks at microphone during Career Story Nights event.
Man in olive shirt speaks into a microphone at a Career Story Nights event with a large seated audience.
Young man with curly hair speaks passionately at a Career Story Nights event in a modern venue.
Bald man in purple shirt shares his career story at Career Story Nights event.
Tattooed woman reads from notes at microphone during Career Story Nights event.
Audience members sit attentively at a Career Story Nights event in a modern venue.
Woman with white hair plays acoustic guitar and sings at a Career Story Nights event in a bright modern venue.
Man plays acoustic guitar seated at Career Story Nights storytelling event.
Energetic bald speaker gestures while presenting at Career Story Nights event with seated audience.
Woman speaking and gesturing at a Career Story Nights event in a bright modern venue with large windows.

The corporate identity edition


March 2026 | Zoku, Amsterdam

This edition explored the relationship between personal identity and professional identity. Storytellers reflected on the moments that shaped who they are in the workplace and how they've navigated their corporate careers.

 

Diverse audience smiling and engaged during a Career Story Nights storytelling session.
Curly-haired woman speaks on microphone at Career Story Nights event in modern lounge setting.
Diverse group of professionals socializing and networking at Career Story Nights event.
Female speaker addresses large engaged audience at a Career Story Nights professional event.
Career Story Nights motivational quote cards displayed on glass door at professional event.
Woman presents career story to attentive seated crowd at a Career Story Nights evening event.
Woman speaking into microphone at Career Story Nights event in modern lounge setting.
Woman reading from paper at Career Story Nights event standing at microphone stand.
Engaged audience listening attentively at Career Story Nights networking event.
Speaker addressing a full room of attendees at a Career Story Nights networking event.

The Reinvention Edition



January 2026 | Zoku, Amsterdam

We celebrated the courage to start again. Through stories of career change, unexpected opportunities and personal growth, speakers shared what it means to redefine success on your own terms.

Woman speaking to audience at Career Story Nights event in bright modern venue.
A speaker addresses an engaged audience at a Career Story Nights event in a modern venue.
Older woman speaking at microphone at Career Story Nights event with seated audience.
Smiling woman seated at microphone presenting at Career Story Nights indoor event.
Woman presenting at Career Story Nights event holding papers at microphone stand.
A woman in a brown suit speaks into a microphone at a Career Story Nights presentation.
A red-haired woman speaks into a microphone at a Career Nights event, addressing an engaged audience in a modern venue.
Career Story Nights event with audience seated in modern office space listening to a speaker presentation.
Two women networking at a Career Story Nights event, standing under pendant lights in a modern office space.
A speaker presents to an engaged audience at a Career Story Nights event in a modern venue.

The Career Pivots Edition


October 2025 | Zoku, Amsterdam

This edition explored the turning points that shape our careers and how our personal lives often lead to pivotal moments in our careers. Storytellers shared the moments that led them in a new direction.

Woman with curly hair reads from papers at a microphone during Career Story Nights speaking event.
Woman speaking at a microphone during an intimate indoor event with an audience seated in front of her.
Woman in yellow blazer speaking at microphone holding red book in modern kitchen setting.
Two professional women smiling at a Career Story Nights event, one in a blue suit and one in a white shirt.
Woman speaking at microphone in stylish teal kitchen setting, wearing colorful headwrap and brown jacket.
Woman in light blue blazer speaks into microphone at indoor event with audience seated in background.
Diverse group of people seated in a modern room listening attentively during an indoor presentation or event.
Woman in mint green sweater speaks at microphone, holding book, in modern cafe setting.
Two women socializing at an evening gathering, holding wine glasses in a warmly lit modern lounge setting.

women in tech edition

 

July 2025 | Amsterdam Canals

 

Woman in navy blazer speaking to a group of attendees inside a scenic canal boat.
Group of women gathered on a canal boat for a networking lunch event on a sunny day.
Interior of a classic wooden boat with red cushioned seats and place settings on table.
Large group of women dining together on a scenic boat tour, smiling for a group photo at a long table.

The Founders Table Edition


April 2025 | Karavaan, Amsterdam

A collaboration with the Amsterdam Founders Club, this edition explored the realities of building a business and the people behind it. Founders shared honest stories that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys.

Woman in a navy blue dress laughing and gesturing with hands in front of a colorful orange curtain backdrop.
Woman in floral embroidered blouse speaking passionately on stage with warm golden backdrop.
A smiling blonde woman in a red jacket sits at a candlelit Career Story Nights dinner.
A woman with glasses smiles while holding papers at a candlelit Career Story Nights event.
Career Story Nights Founders Table Edition event table number 5 sign with wine glass in warm lighting.
A man stands and speaks at a candlelit Career Story Nights storytelling evening.
Woman in white blouse and red pants reading from a card at an indoor event.
Two women sitting together at a restaurant table with yellow tulips and wine glasses in the foreground.
A bearded man in a white shirt smiles in a warmly lit restaurant interior.
Diverse group of professionals attentively listening at an indoor networking dinner event.

Female Ventures Edition


October 2024 | Hotel Arsenaal, Delft

A partnership edition with Female Ventures celebrated the diverse stories of women at work. Stories of leadership, change, confidence and reinvention: speakers reflected on the moments that shaped their careers and identities.

 

Woman speaking into microphone at a professional event wearing a colorful printed shirt.
Speaker presenting to a seated audience at an intimate professional networking event with wine.
Man in blue blazer speaking to a group of women at a cozy professional networking event.
Woman in black dress speaking at a podium during a professional networking event indoors.
Group of eight diverse professionals posing together at a Tamale networking event indoors.
Woman holding microphone and yellow book speaking at an intimate professional gathering.
Woman in green jacket presenting to an audience at a cozy professional networking event.
Woman in blue outfit speaking to a diverse group at an evening professional networking event.
Person taking notes with a blue pen on a notepad at a wine tasting event with glasses in background.
Large group of professionals engaged at an evening networking event in an elegant indoor venue.

Equals edition

 

Sepember 2024 | Equals Clubhouse, Amsterdam

 

Woman in olive dress presenting to two people seated on red couches in a modern art gallery setting.
Woman in white dress and black boots presenting in elegant room with TV screen, artwork, and seated audience member.
Professionals gathered in a modern lounge for a collaborative meeting, seated on brown sofas around a circular ottoman.
Man in white shirt and khaki shorts presenting in a warmly lit art gallery space with audience seated on sofas.

The pilot edition


July 2024 | Stories, Amsterdam

Ten people came together for one evening to test whether Career Story Nights was a concept I could grow. Each person had a story to share; we listened, we reflected, and we wrote in response to reflective prompts. The rest is history.

Smiling woman in brown coat clapping during an indoor group event or presentation.
Young woman in black outfit seated on a sofa with abstract art on the wall behind.
Woman in white t-shirt speaking and holding a wine glass during a group discussion.
Man in blue turban and woman in striped shirt seated at a group meeting or seminar.
Man in cream t-shirt writing in a notebook while seated in a bright room.
Group of diverse people seated in a circle during an indoor discussion or workshop.
Man in black beanie and glasses engaged in conversation at an indoor networking event.
Woman with expressive hand gestures speaking during an intimate indoor discussion panel.
Smiling woman in navy dress holding a notebook and glasses while seated indoors.

What People Are Saying

The first Career Stories event was a lovely event to attend. Not knowing what or who to expect, it was very inspiring to hear and share so many diverse and quite personal stories.

Nastasja

I couldn't get enough of the stories. Each one was unique and inspiring. I was in my element, an evening filled with wonderful new people, amazing stories, inspiration and clarity

Hannah

I was very moved by all the stories shared. Some of them resonate with mine. I’d like to believe that you can keep reinventing yourself throughout your whole life.

Camille

Meet the Team

Woman in brown suit speaking into microphone seated on stool at Career Story Nights event.

 

Lisa Thompson

Founder and Creator

Lisa is the founder of Your Career Space and creator of Career Story Nights. She created Career Story Nights in 2024 to give people a space to share the stories behind their careers. At the heart of her work is career storytelling, identity and positioning.

Saskis at the microphone

 

Saskia Oelschlaeger

Event Manager

Saskia is the Event Manager for Career Story Nights. She was integral to operationalising the relationship with Zoku in October 2025 and now oversees venue coordination, logistics, run of show and guest experience, helping create the conditions for each edition to run smoothly.

Two women smiling and holding hands at a professional networking event indoors.

 

Shreya Padmasola

Visual Designer

Shreya is a visual designer who brings another dimension to Career Story Nights, capturing the stories visually. She has collaborated with Lisa to explore how career stories can be expressed through images as well as spoken storytelling creating a unique storytelling visual style.

 

Our Photographers

 

Our longstanding photographer, Elena Fidanovska, has captured the Career Pivots, Career Reinventions, Corporate Careers and the Queer Edition at Zoku, Amsterdam. She also captured video for the Founders Edition and Female Ventures Edition and has become a key part of the Career Story Nights team.

Black and white photo of a woman in denim shirt sitting at a striped table smiling warmly.

Elena Fidanovska

Black and white portrait of a young blonde woman in a black blouse posing on a chair.

 

Maria Alexandrovna Bogacheva

 

Black and white portrait of a man with long hair and beard wearing a suit and bow tie.

 

Ronny Barthel

 

Black and white photo of a smiling woman holding a professional camera against white background.

 

Polina Nasedkina

 

Let's Create Your Career Story Nights Together.

Do you want to host a Career Story Night or have a question about an upcoming edition?

Feel free to get in touch.

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