Career Transitions Part 2

Notes from Career Coaching Session 2:

On reflection, the plan I had during my 1st career coaching session was over ambitious. Simplicity is the key, iand so is finding a niche or specialisation. What do I want to become an expert in? I talked about the Internship I hadn't got. At the time I had felt dejected, but I know it's for the best. My career coach reminded me that life is messy, there are always challenges no matter what and challenges are often disguised attempts at new opportunities. When one door closes another opens.

 

So my question is - How do I get to where I’m going? First I need to better understand where I want to go and then build a plan. Career transitions are a process, which can't be sped-up or forced. The key is to identify and remove blocks; fears or stories. The process of career transition is about exploring not committing, finding a place to start.

 

My career coach, also reminded me of the importance of information interviews. My goal this month is to do four, in the following areas: travel & tourism, small business, PR, marketing communications.

 

I often feel reluctant to ask busy people for their time but I was given some great tips on how to approach people for an information interview.

• Make it as easy as possible, show understanding for the fact that their time is stretched, express how much you appreciate their time and why.
• Acknowledge how you feel, express appreciation for their time, try language like 'would you be open to' or 'I'm looking to gain solid information about (given role or industry)', 
• Info interview can be done by phone, email or in person, ask them which works best for them
• Let them know that any time they have to give you is appreciated, even ten minutes, people tend to enjoy talking about their careers so you'll likely get more

I'm interested in:
• Creative Communications: writing, editing, strategy, marketing, photography, audio, video
• Communication (marketing) strategy, planning and implementation
• Writing for journals, magazines (small tourism and travel businesses)
• Photography – how culture and art help promote and support tourism (the reason people travel)
• Photography exposition

• Treat Entitled Canada like a job – what is my title = Marketing, Sales & Business Development

To Do Checklist (before our next meeting):
• Go back and answer my career coach's questionnaire 'Picture Your Future'
• 4 Information Interviews
• Twitter account

Resources:
• Marcus Buckingham
• Artemis Communications

~ Future Forward

Career Transitions Part 1

When I was 18, just before graduating from high school, my dad took me to Galiano Island. I clearly remember walking by some horse stables and him asking me what kind of work I as interested in, I said Animal Behaviour. I could tell from his response that this was the 'wrong' answer. In a futile attempt to please him I switched course to something more safe, practical and applicable - business studies.

I never expected to go to university but in a twist of fate I completed a BA in Marketing & Tourism and a MSc in International Management. I worked in Marketing and eventually Project Management for ten years. I took pride in my skills and the work I accomplished but I never felt connected or passionate about my work. In my 20s I spent a good 5 years trying to figure out what would be a better fit, it was a frustrating process and in the end I sadly gave up. 

Now in my late 30s I am craving connecting to meaningful work, not doing so is simply too soul destroying. My 'journey' started with an amazing BC government career search program called North Shore Compass (this program has now been cut). I learnt the importance of spending time doing things which make me feel alive, those moments when you are in the flow, in the present.

Having spent the last year healing myself I now fee ready to move forward!

My first step was to examine my existing skills and interests;

My Skills:
• Writing
• Photography
• Marketing
• Research
• Technology
• Project Management
• Property Management
• Tourism
• Teaching
• Dog Walking / Sitting
• Nature

Interests:
• Sustainability & Environment
• Tourism
• Outdoor recreation (nature)
• Economic Development
• Art & Culture
• Small / Local Business Development

My plan was to do marketing, sales and business development for my mom's fascinator & hat business Entitled Canada while also researching a career in communications: writing & photography.

I engaged a career coach - Alison Hale @ Vocational Advantage.

In our first Career Coaching Session we discussed:

• The importance of making solid decisions about my future by doing the groundwork and laying the foundation
• Be as clear and specific as possible about the kind of work I want to do
• Thinking about which areas I would want to specialise in, create a niche
• Leverage the best of yourself
• Information interviews
• Virtual mentors by following people who inspire and motivate me on twitter
• Giving myself a time frame to dream and commit to the process > focus on what you get passion from > avoid all other noise, other offers – if it doesn’t bring you joy don’t do it – no compromising
• Really figure out what brings me joy? Flesh ideas out, have a clear idea of what community you want to be part of – when you see it on paper it makes it easier to commit
• Develop the philosophy “we can do what we love”
• Focus on what we are good at – times when work didn’t feel like work – end of work day we are looking forward to tomorrow
• Be specific about how much money you want to earn, how to structure time off
• Journal about the process – coaching, thoughts, feelings, outlet

Questions

1. What do you want to create?
2. What brings you joy?
3. What’s my role?
4. Who are my clients?
5. What type of contracts?
6. How will it be branded?

~ Future Forward