From IT Engineer to Therapist

From IT Engineer to Therapist Success Story > From: Job To: Freelance From IT Engineer to Therapist “My unhappiness boiled; everything at work made me angry and bitter.” * From IT Engineer to Therapist Think a big career change requires a 'big leap'? Think again. After spending 13 years in a job he knew wasn't right for him, Paul House has found a way to make a gradual shift into a career he loves â€" and to enjoy his current job while he does it. What work were you doing previously? For the last 13 years I have been working as an IT Support Engineer. Essentially, I'm the guy who picks up the calls about broken printers, laptops that are blue screening, and important presentations that somehow vanish into the ether just before the big sales pitch. What are you doing now? I am currently enrolled on a three year Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy course, while still working as an IT Support Engineer at a company in Essex. I'll hopefully qualify as a hypnotherapist at the end of 2014, and a psychotherapist at the end of 2016, so there’s a long road ahead yet. Why did you begin your career change? To sum it up, I knew in my heart of hearts that the career path I was on was wrong for me. I would sit on IT courses trying to force knowledge into my brain which seemed to reject the information on a fundamental level. I always felt I should try to advance my career in IT, but whenever I came close to making a step into a higher level role, something inside would stop me. I kept moving jobs in the hope that if I just 'found the right place' this nagging doubt would vanish. After all, I had put years of effort and study into my IT career, I thought people would think I was mad to simply give it up. I eventually found myself working in a brokerage in the city surrounded by great people, in a job I (mostly) loved, with the opportunity to travel the world for work, and still I found myself becoming increasingly unhappy. This unhappiness eventually boiled to the point where everything about work made me angry and bitter. Fortunately I had a very understanding manager who allowed me time off to go see a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, who completely changed my way of thinking. For the first time I allowed myself to admit out loud that my career wasn’t what I wanted, that it was making me increasingly unhappy, and that I needed to make a change. At this time I didn’t even consider becoming a therapist as a career choice, I only knew what I didn’t want to do, so I set out and did some research. I came across Careershifters online, read through the website and attended a Careershifters workshop one evening after work. It helped me work out the parts of my current career that I liked (mostly interacting with and helping people) and got me thinking as to what to do next. Ultimately something just clicked, it all came together and I knew I wanted to become a therapist to help people make a difference in their lives. When was the moment you decided to make the change? Finally admitting out loud to myself and the therapist that my career wasn’t working for me was a big turning point. This all happened around the same time as my Dad lost his job in a career he didn’t enjoy and found a new vocation as a volunteer gardener which made him so much happier. I thought if he can do it at nearly 60, then I can do it at 33. Are you happy with the decision to change? Completely! It’s so different working and studying towards something you have a real passion for. Also as retirement is looking more and more unlikely for my generation, I want to spend my life doing something I love. How did you go about making the shift? I started out reading a lot of self-help, therapy and psychology books and websites whenever I could. I spoke to my girlfriend, my family and my friends, all of whom provided encouragement to go for it. I had to give up working in the City for a job closer to home with a shorter commute which was a hard sacrifice as I loved the atmosphere up town. I got in contact with the therapist who I had seen previously and she gave me some tips and advice on how to start. Ultimately I found a course at a college close to home and enrolled there. We have one day in class per month, a study group meet up at least once a week, and a lot of homework. How are you handling your finances to make your change possible? As I am still working full time in my current role, I'm able to pay my half of the mortgage and household bills, so my girlfriend and I carry on more or less the same lifestyle as before. I do try to save more than I did previously so that when I begin to make the transition we will have a safety net. Ultimately it means more making my own sandwiches for work and having to resist the temptation to buy a new X-Box (not that I would have time to play it anyway). How are you handling being in your current role whilst making the change? It’s actually a lot easier to go into work and do my job now that I know I have a path that I want to walk in front of me. Once you drop a lot of the 'I should be... progressing.. enjoying.. grateful...' statements about your career and that dreaded thought that 'this is all I will ever do', the day to day becomes easier. Of course I do still get stressed and frustrated at times but it doesn’t quite have the impact it used to. One of the added benefits of being on a therapy course, surrounded by trainee therapists, is that there is a lot of work on relaxation and stress reduction. How do you manage your time to make the change? It is sometimes tough to cram everything in around working full time, but I suppose that's the trade off for financial security. Most nights I get in from work and, bad day at the office or not, I will have some reading to do, or an essay to write, or a study group meet up to go to. Fortunately my girlfriend is very understanding, and there are people in my class who are juggling a job, kids and studying so I can’t complain too much. What is the most difficult thing about changing? It’s the fear of the unknown, I suppose. I know I can do my current job, I have an employer who takes care of getting me paid and providing work, so all I have to do is turn up every day. When I am a therapist the chances are I will be working for myself, so I won’t have the luxury of that comfortable ride. What help are you getting? As part of my course I am seeing a qualified hypnotherapist so I am getting a lot of help and advice on how to build a successful practice. I have my family, friends and study group who are always willing to help or give me the kick I need on those days when it all seems like too much to do. I find it useful to speak to people about my plans whenever I can as 99% of them will provide encouragement. What are you learning in the process? That it is possible to change careers without the drama of chucking it all in one day and riding into the sunset. That it is possible to enjoy a job in a career you may not want any more, if you simply choose to take the pressure off yourself and focus on the positives. Is there anything you wish you'd done differently? Honestly I wouldn’t change a thing, as the sum of my experiences, both good and bad led me here. I may have spent thirteen years on the wrong career path, but the pluses by far outweigh the negatives. I have met some great friends at every place I have worked, met my girlfriend through work, and had some good times along the way. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? I would say really take the time to think about what you want to do, seek out others who are where you want to be, and make a plan. The career-change goal you want may take a number of years, and while this may be frustrating, be aware that it’s possible to gain a lot from the journey. What resources would you recommend to others? We are lucky enough to live in an age where we can go online and research just about anything, so start Googling! Attending a Careershifters workshop will give you some ideas as to what to do next, as well as help you realise you are not the only person feeling this way. I would also recommend the book “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway” by Susan Jeffers which really helps give you that push to be brave and go out into the unknown! What lessons could you take from Paul's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Personal Branding Pledge 2015 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Personal Branding Pledge 2015 - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career I agree to be me I accept the obligations and honor of my authenticity I agree that this year, perhaps unlike any other I will not bother to be a shadow, a cipher or a ghost in my life I will not hobble myself with the expectations of another Even if I face a force previously controlling or dominating I wrest my freedom without apology for not capitulating Not my pride, not my ego, not my fear, not my doubt Holds any clout, any power, any authority or might I don’t care if they stare or if I get sideways glances I am here to be me and that means taking my chances Chances others don’t even see because unlike me they are not free And I am because I am, and I am because I am me I have a truth to tell, not to sell or be sold on I don’t have to be told to be bold on the battlefield I win on I will find my way faster than an ordinary human could Because I am filled with who I am and from now on I will be Unshackled by faux rules or a mold that doesn’t suit me The fog has lifted and revealed a silver city and gold-filled sea This is my place, the massive playground where I enjoy prosperity This is the year I write the story of the hero who I am.

Career (Con)Quest #8 A Side Gig

Career (Con)Quest #8 A Side Gig Career (Con)Quest #8: A Side Gig Your personal network is a good way to find jobs. Just be sure to pre-screen those referrals.For startersyou know â€" ask more questions about the job and the company (something Sam totally forgot to do).   Because even good friends can have little idea of what it is that you are doing for a living and may think they are doing you a favor by pitching a job opportunity, even though it’s 100% not up your alley.So whenever someone wants to connect you with a “friend who may need your services”ask them to elaborate just a bit more.And politely declining an offer is a normal thing to do. previous article The Best Way to Explain Your Sabbatical To a New Employer next article A Scientist Resume Example to Get That Next Academic Position you might also likeCareer (Con)Quest #20: Spray and Pray

4 Things Women Should Know About Making Investments

4 Things Women Should Know About Making Investments Today, women all over the U.S. and abroad are taking places in positions that they have never held before. As these new opportunities are opening up, it looks like their personal finances are growing too. Learning what to do to manage this money properly can be a challenge within itself, so it is essential that these smart women have a plan to succeed in business and in their personal finances too. Managing finances effectively is not only about putting all of the income in a savings account away from the day to day funds, but it also involves devising an investment plan that will help the money to grow. If this or anything in this section applies to your situation, you may want to evaluate and studying what it will take to come up with an investment strategy that will help to make you financially secure on your own. Many people like to develop a plan that can assist them in their retirement years and before. Whatever the case, here are some things that you should pay close attention to as you decide to start making investments. Invest in Companies that Provide High-Yield Dividend Payouts Do your research before you buy stocks in any company. You can do this by looking at their history to see how their stockholders have fared through the years. For instance, are the stockholders for the company that is being considered used to receiving more stocks when dividends need to be paid? Or, are these companies sending out distributions via a check when the stocks that they hold are doing good? By doing your research, you will have a chance to see if this will be a good investment opportunity for you too. On the other hand, if a company does not do well in this area and you want to gain from them in this manner, you may want to skip on making an investment in that particular business. As well-said on  Sure Dividend, The goal is financial freedom through an investment portfolio that pays rising dividend income over time. To  find out more, you may want to look for resources like a dividend investing guide      before making investments. Use an Investment Strategy That Minimizes the Risk Because most work hard at earning their own money, it is important that they take the same stance when making investments. Therefore, a strategy is always needed that will minimize the inherent risks in buying stocks, bonds, mutual funds or any other investment that can potentially cause people to lose all of their money. For instance, investors should beware of putting all of the money into one type of stock. Instead, they should diversify by investing in two or more companies so that they can limit the amount that they can lose, especially if one of the companies shut their doors for good. Buy Company Stock that Matches What You Put In If your company has a 401k plan, it is important that you look into its benefits as well as its drawbacks. One of the most important things that you need to know involves the amounts that they match. For instance, if your company matches a certain amount of the contributions that you put in, you can benefit from the extra that they add to your account. In retirement, when planned properly, this simply means you have more money to put in your pocket when you really need it. Take Advantage of Consultations With a Financial Advisor If you have a considerable amount of money that you can use to start making investments, it is important that you make the best possible informed decisions. In these cases, you may want to hire a financial advisor that can assist you with a strategy that can help you to make the most out of what you put in. These professionals may work with their investors on designing a plan that will make them independently wealthy. For instance, the plans that they devise will help in choosing the best stocks for that time period, assist in diversifying their portfolio and search for other investment opportunities. The advice that they give will also help to minimize the risks in investing. Additionally, one of their primary goals and objectives is to make sure you have what you need to buy a home, send kids to college, and to ensure you have enough remaining in your financial portfolio for your retirement years.

Interview series - Career Experts - Debra Wheatman from Careers Done Write CareerMetis.com

Interview series - Career Experts - Debra Wheatman from Careers Done Write In this interview series, we caught up withDebra WheatmanfromCareers Done Write, who shares her expertise and insights about job search, career change, etc. in today’s marketplace.Tell us a little bit about your companyevalWe at Careers Done Write, Inc.are a marketing and branding company committed to working with clients on brand building and management. The company has been going strong for more than 14 years.evalWe are dedicated to partnering with our clients as they go through their journey of pursuing new opportunities and beyond.We pride ourselves on providing a holistic approach to the job search process, which means we don’t just write resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles.Rather, we are committed to the journey with our clients. Their success is our success too.How did you get started in this path?I originally worked for a company as the director of career services where I oversaw the development, implementation, and management of career services, including resum e and cover letter preparation, case, financial and traditional interview preparation, and admissions services for clients globally.I identified, hired and managed a team of subcontracted writers and coaches.Eventually, the business changed, and I made the decision to go into business for myself.Is this something you decided early on in your career?I always had a passion for career development.evalI’ve worked in human resources and recruitment positions earlier in my career and those positions only helped grow my love of professional branding and career coaching.What is the Best Career Advice You’ve ever received?The best career advice I have ever received is to be more of a listener than a talker. It is amazing what you can learn and uncover by listening.Of course, there is nothing wrong with contributing.However, being an active listener will give you far greater insight into people and situations.evalWhen you do share an idea you will have all of the knowledge developed becau se you exercised your listening skills!evalWhat is the most exciting part of working in thisindustry?I get to help clients on a daily basis reach their full potential.I love seeing people be the best professional version of themselves that they don’t even know they can be yet.How do to stay abreast of the industry as an expert?There are a variety of ways, including reading, going to industry events, networking, and engaging with peers and clients.I am a voracious reader, including content developed by other career experts.I am always looking for good information or ideas that I can incorporate into my business.What are some of the things that you see job seekers struggle with the most?I see a lot of job seekers struggle with salary negotiations. Needless to say, everyone wants the most they can get.Do the RESEARCH. Speak to people that are in the role.Research information online, review salary reports that are also available online, and speak to friends. Your due diligence in this area will provide you with the knowledge you need to negotiate on your own behalf.evalDo NOT say yes immediately.Thank the manager for the offer, express your excitement and take a day or two to think about it.NEGOTIATE.Don’t accept the first offer you are given.Counter offer with a number that you know is reasonable based upon the RESEARCH.evalWhat are the common mistakes that you see them do?I’ve seen job seekers running into interviews with just enough time to spare or worse â€" late.People are unprepared; they don’t bring a copy of their résumé because they think “the hiring manager has it.” That might be true, but you need to bring your A game â€" that means being prepared.The most egregious error is when people are unprepared to discuss their background.All too often job seekers have information on the résumé that they are ill-prepared to discuss. How should job seekers approach job search today?Networking is a critical component of an effective job search strat egy.It’s not enough to apply online anymore.I always say that using the internet for a job is an after 8PM activity. Your daytime hours should be involving your network and meeting with people.After you find opportunities online, you should try to identify the people at that company of interest.Even better, try to identify someone in your immediate network with whom you can interact to learn more or submit for a position via an employee referral.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that job seekers will face in the next 2-3 years?More and more people, especially in the younger demographics are looking to go into business for themselves. Not everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder.More than ever people are focused on having more personal time. They want to reap more of the rewards of hard work.Whether someone is creating a side business, doing freelance work, or becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur, I think that a lot of people will look to pursue endeavors where they have mor e control of their schedules and their work.What is one advice you would give someone just out of college today?Don’t settle for a job â€" build your career. You will have to pay your dues.The first few years will be tough, and it is unlikely your first position will pay anything close to a six-figure salary.Work hard; work smart; and go the extra mile. Your efforts (along with a positive attitude) will serve you well.What is one advice you would give someone who is switching careers?Focus on why that career change is bringing you happiness. Do your research.You need to know what you are stepping into when you make a switch.Oftentimes, the work will be at a lower level from what you previously experienced complemented by a reduced salary.Switching careers is entirely possible you just need to be informed and recognize that growth will take time.How should job seekers get the most out of LinkedIn?Maintain an active presence on LinkedIn.Interact with the community. This means that y ou should contribute ideas as a member of various groups in which you participate.Comment on other posts that are related to your field and interests (or not!) There’s no reason why you cannot engage outside of your wheelhouse.The point of LinkedIn is to build engagement and online relationships. Share ideas, be positive, and seek to contribute as part of the communityUnemployment is at the lowest levels, why do you think that is?Hiring is very strong right now.However, the competition is still fierce.In addition, people who are jobless are still not looking for work.What is the biggest trend(s) you see that hiring managers will face in the next 2-3 years?Hopefully, hiring managers will begin being properly trained in truly understanding what attracts younger job seekers.I have heard a lot of horror stories about younger individuals being labeled as lazy or entitled. There is a level of due diligence both parties must exercise for a match to be made.Hiring managers must learn what attracts talent and the things their organizations need to do to remain competitive, which includes wooing and retaining talent.Debra, what are you currently working on?I am beginning production for a weekly video series that will be featured across my social media channels(links below).It will feature various topics all in the overall field of career development and professional branding.Be sure to check it out and follow me to stay tuned.What are the best resources you recommend to job seekers?Careers Done Writeof course!What is the best way for our audience to reach you?ByEmailâ€" [emailprotected]Connect with or Follow Debra Wheatman on Social Media:LinkedInTwitterFacebook PageYouTube PageDebra WheatmanandCareers Done Writehave also been featured in our recent compilation of the most resourceful career experts and career blogs â€"Top Career Advice Websites.

Playing the Game, the Job Search Odds Game

Playing the Game, the Job Search “Odds Game” Playing the Odds Game Playing the Game, the Job Search “Odds Game” Does this sound familiar? Joe Dayton’s job search plan meant he applied for a job and then waited to hear back from the hiring company. No response? No job? Then Joe started another job application cycle. His job search dragged on and on, driving up his frustration level. Why? Joe, the eternal optimist, believed each time that the job was going to work out, so why get another one spun up? He convinced himself that “this was the one” and he had a real chance to win… this time. But he didn’t win that job. So, weeks later, he started over again looking at job postings. As a result, it took Joe a lot longer to get a job. Bottom line: If you are not willing to play the “Odds Game,” meaning juggling multiple job opportunities at the same time, then don’t job search. It’s one of the toughest concepts for job seekers to execute. Everybody understands it â€" the more job opportunities you have in play, the more likely you’ll get an offer â€" but most are not putting it into practice. It’s hard, even for the toughest among us. I’m coaching an ex-police officer right now and even though he committed to finding 5 new career opportunities three weeks ago…well, you know the rest. Why Play the Odds Game? Rules and Reasons Reason #1: Waiting will bring you down. Waiting and doing nothing is bad for you. It will send you right into negativity, triggering self-doubt and low confidence. You will feel better about your search, your progress and your opportunities if you have a lot to do. A “lot to do” will only come out of generating a lot of activity. If you follow this plan, you’ll wake up every morning with a new task. Reason #2: Speed up the time between now and your start date. Do you want a job in six weeks or six months? Do you want interviews within the next two weeks or two months? The only way to speed up your results is to multiply your opportunities. Even the best salespeople, who know how to manage a pipeline of client prospects, are terrible at managing their own job search the way they do a sales territory. And a job search IS a sales process! Rule #1: Minimum of 10 “active” job possibilities at once. You need 10 active opportunities in motion at the same time. If one drops off, add one. You must find 10 job opportunities that are either posted on a website, in a newspaper, or verified as a real job opening through your networking. Do not count the make-believe-job-you-wish-for-if-you-could-design-one. An “active” opportunity means you have done something with it. You might only be in research mode prior to applying, but that is activity, so the job is “active.” Use your Cut the Crap (CTC) Job Tracking Tool, so you avoid the excuse that this is too much to handle. (Works well even if you are currently employed and looking to make your next career move.) Rule #2: Make each job possibility countâ€"or cross it off the list. No cheating! My father taught me, “If you cheat, you are cheating yourself.” So don’t fudge how you count your 10 active opportunities. Each of the active job possibilities must meet one of the following requirements: You are doing research and preparing your customized application to send them. You applied and are within a 15-work-day (Monday through Friday) window to hear something back. You had a phone or face-to-face interview and are within a 15-work-day window to hear something back. You heard something back from the company, acknowledging receipt of your application, and you are within the 15-work-day window to take the next step. The good news: Every time you cross one off your list, you improve the odds! You haven’t lost, you get to shop for a new job and add a new opportunity to the group. Build out your 10 opportunities now, track each one, and always maintain 10 in your pipeline until you land your next great job. Got a specific challenge? Let me give you a hand; I’m ready to help! Dana

Looking For Resume Writing Services in New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment?

Looking For Resume Writing Services in New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment?It's no secret that New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment (NYCAHE) has a number of services that can help people stay healthy. The organization also has its own network of support groups that can provide advice and guidance to people who are in need of it. When someone is in need of support, whether it's from friends or family or someone from NYCAHE, they are going to need the right help they can get.But how can you get the kind of assistance you need with the kind of health-related service NYCAHE offers? Thankfully, there are a number of ways to go about looking for the best resume writing services in New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment. That's what this article is going to address.First off, when looking for a resume writing service in New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment you want to make sure that you're getting the most up-to-date information. While NYCAHE d oes have a number of programs, like the one described below, which can provide information on nutrition, it's not the same as being knowledgeable about the latest developments in the field. If you want the most up-to-date and relevant information on these issues, make sure you find a service that focuses on this type of information.One example of this type of service is an online nutritional education curriculum. These programs are available for anyone who is looking to learn more about how to properly eat well and still stay fit. They can focus on cutting down on sugar, sodium, and other substances that contribute to a sedentary lifestyle.This type of program is especially important for people who are concerned about maintaining good health but may not be familiar with the latest health information out there. They can search through NYCAHE's online curriculum library and then start taking online nutrition classes at home. This allows them to continue to make educated decisions even as they go about making informed ones about their health.Not only does this kind of program to allow them to get the knowledge they need, but it can also help them get the knowledge they need quickly. The curriculum library is updated in real time so that you'll always be able to find the updated materials, no matter what your schedule may be.Another example of this type of service is career opportunities with New York City Alliance for a Healthy Environment. There are a number of different opportunities for people to work with the group to improve their health and to gain valuable support and knowledge. There are a number of career paths, including positions as nutrition coordinators, culinary arts instructors, and more.So, if you're looking for the best resume writing service, look for one that focuses on the kind of information you need. Try to find one that can offer you a number of options for education and career advancement. Also find one that can help you find the education and career opportunities you need to maintain your wellness.