A-Maze-ing Careers Laura Parker

In this episode we meet Pip Clarke, whose career really does feel like a box of chocolates - so many flavours of work frankly we could do a whole episode on each of the stages of her career. Pip now heads up the international sales team at EZRA Coaching, but unsurprisingly given the nature of this podcast her journey has been anything but linear, with possibly the most turns we’ve heard so far. 

Steve Harvey's story will be a lesson into the value of understanding your transferable skills and, much like Gary in Let Them Eat Cake or Zoe in From Retail Spreak to Legalese, that a strong work ethic can open doors for you. Steve wasn’t particularly academic and followed an early path that was more vocational until he eventually saw an opening to move from hospitality to retail. With another move still to happen his story continues to show us that it can be impossible to see your end point when you make choices earlier on, but have faith that opportunities will come to light. 

Today I’m delighted to introduce you to Gary Lincoln, whose career had a surprising start (involving very early mornings), and a number of false starts including a spell of self-employment, before eventually finding where he’s been for the last 16 years. I’m looking forward to you all hearing not only his story, but also Gary has some great pointers for what has helped him make the career moves he’s made.

This week’s guest is a current colleague of mine, Zoe Edwards. Zoe’s story is a little different to other guests in that she’s only had one big career shift. However within her roles she was able to create and take new directions, and today she is doing a job she wanted to do back at school but didn’t think she ever could.

Like Fi McLay in episode 4, she wanted to do the role she is now doing when she was younger and is better for it now having taken a longer route to get.

She has enjoyed all her learning, “treated it like a hobby” which has really helped her make the most out of it.

Zoe has had some mental health challenges along the way, and whilst we won’t dwell on those today, she is an example of someone who despite that has managed to take up new opportunities and develop professionally.

Today you’re going to meet Fi McLay who I’ve got to know specifically because of her story for this podcast. Fi’s career journey has actually come pretty much full circle, although it’s not over yet. Her journey to date involves jobs in both the private and public sector and a couple of different educational paths as well. There are a couple of themes within Fi’s story -  her choices have reflected other things going on in her life at any point in time, and she got to know herself better after each role.

In this episode we feature not just three big career changes, but a country change as well! Born in Malta, Leah Vella had to navigate quite a niche education and job market at the start of her journey before eventually coming to the UK. Once in the UK her journey continues with two further career changes. What I love about her story is that she has absolutely taken ownership at each stage, which we both hope will inspire listeners that a career change is absolutely within your control.