Transformation Stories of the quarter life

Polly

It was lovely to do it with the group as well because, in moments where you were thinking, ‘Should I be taking this path? Is this where I’m meant to be?’ it was really lovely to talk to other people and hear that they were going through similar experiences. Additionally, when someone was slightly behind in the process, you could be really encouraging to them, and it really helped you to reflect on how far you’ve come.

Tora Loader

I’m so grateful to Chloe for running the Quarter Life course. I was really struggling with the direction of where I wanted to go in my career, what my values and purpose are, and how I even begin finding the next job that would lead to my during career.

Chloe was so kind and insightfull, and he’s given me all the tools and support that I needed to find my mojo in my new job.

I’ll definitely be using these resources at key stages to reflect on where I am.

I’d highly recommend the course to anyone that feels a bit unsure a bit trapped or confused about their career because this has just been immensely helpful for me.

Ryan Lee

“As part of Chloë’s inaugural group coaching programme, I was able to get to know myself and my career goals better. The work really helped in supporting me to decide to take a sabbatical after some difficult personal circumstances as well as hone in on what work will be fulfilling for me in the future. I’d really recommend getting involved!

Molly

I have just completed the pilot group coaching programme with Chloe and I have absolutely loved it. As someone who was at a cross roads within their career Chloe didn’t just help me navigate my next steps but also helped me personally reflect and I have learnt a lot about myself during the process. I found the group sessions really helpful in bouncing ideas off one another and supporting one another throughout the process, especially as I have never done anything like this before. I feel a lot more confident as to where I want to go with my career and that it is OK for you to have multiple career changes within your life! For anyone thinking about coaching or feeling stuck in your career I cannot recommend Chloe / Quarter-Life enough!

Lauren Dawson

When I first started the group career coaching programme, I was about to leave my job and begin a search for a new role. I felt uncertain about what to look for in a role, and how to go about changing sectors from ed-tech to wellbeing. Chloë’s course gave me the knowledge and confidence to step into this uncertain place with curiosity. We took the time to reflect on our values as an individual, as well as our strengths and interests. This, alongside clear missions (actions), gave me the accountability to get out of my comfort zone and make a decision. I am now at the point where I have launched my own wellbeing coaching and consulting business, and I am searching for my first clients. I have learnt to become more fearless in how I approach making big decisions, which I am sure will continue to serve me in my new career.

Navigating the Quarter-Life Crisis: Niamh Hurley

What work were you doing before your career change?

I was working in the recruitment industry for 5 years (aged 23 to 28). I now work in the Tech Industry

What made you reach out for coaching in the first place?

I was thriving in my career and unfortunately about a month before the pandemic hit I experienced workplace harassment. Shortly after the 2020 covid virus completely pulled the rug from under me (and the world). I felt I really needed to recentre and find my purpose and embrace change.

Describe your experience of coaching. (What results, insights or learnings did you get from the coaching?)

Until I connected with Chloe, I had never taken the time to reflect on what makes me happy or identity my values. Now I have a much healthier relationship with social media, external validation and sense of self.

What new path did you choose and why did you choose it?

I work in the technology industry as an Operations Manager. What drew me to the company is its emphasis on employee wellbeing and culture of respect, stability and opportunity for progression.

How did you actually make the change?

I reached out to my network on LinkedIn and was connected to the hiring manager through a mutual friend who put in a good word for me

What was the process?

It was actually quite the journey. I had experienced a setback where a job offer was recinded (due to another wave of covid 19 restrictions). My confidence was knocked but luckily the interview process for the job I have now, was completed in one week and the onboarding was seamless.

What were the best and most challenging parts of your career change?

The best part is finally working in a company that feels like the right fit! I am earning a competitive salary, collaborate with wonderful colleagues and have a sense of pride in my contributions to the company The most challenging part was having the self belief to take a risk!

How is your new path going?

Amazing, everything happens for a reason. What advice would you give someone who is also thinking of changing careers? Just do it! Learn from past mistakes and move on.

From Teaching to Landscape Architecture: Katherine Pears

What work were you doing before your career change?

I had done a wide variety different jobs, including making chocolate and working as a buyer for an organic food company, before eventually applying to Teach First and becoming a primary school teacher. I definitely had an interest in teaching but, like a lot of people, I also appreciated the structure and skill development that came with doing such a programme. I was in my third year of teaching in a large primary school in inner city London. I really enjoyed my work but I also couldn’t see myself doing it for the rest of my career.

What made you reach out for coaching in the first place?

I felt very stuck and really didn’t know how to change things. I had applied for a range of new jobs in the education sector, but outside teaching, and hadn’t been successful. Looking back I wasn’t approaching this job search with any clear direction and was relying on default options rather than seeking a role I really wanted.

Describe your experience of coaching. (What results, insights or learnings did you get from the coaching?)

Coaching was a hugely positive experience for me. At the beginning I really felt like ‘I just didn’t know’ what I wanted to do, but Chlöe helped me realise that actually I had been holding myself back from pursuing my real interests for fear of failing. She also taught me that there isn’t necessarily one ‘right’ career as there are many options that might fit, including carving out a new direction within your existing career. Working out my values (my top three are community, variety and creativity) was an important moment, because they are something I still use as a benchmark for what is a good fit for me. Chlöe gave me loads of practical ways to build a clear picture of me as a person and how to find a career that matched. She also held me accountable to moving my thought process onwards and to make decisions. This included reaching out to lots of different people to gather information, for example I talked to a friend from school’s parents who had both had arts-based careers.

What new path did you choose and why did you choose it?

I chose to make a total change in career path and become a Landscape Architect. I worked out that I wanted a more creative career, in particular something that was design based and involved thinking visually and spatially. I also had a strong interest in protecting the environment and thought that project based work would suit me. I had an extremely long starting list of careers that might meet this criteria but eventually happened across Landscape Architecture. Before this point I had never heard of Landscape Architecture. Like many I knew that architects design buildings but didn’t know that Landscape Architects design everything else. Think parks, gardens, high streets, schools, outdoor gyms, riversides etc. Very quickly I felt this could be an excellent fit for me.

How did you actually make the change? What was the process?

Deciding to make the change was painful but actually making the change was a simple process because the only option was to go back to University. I believe there is now an apprenticeship route to become a Landscape Architect but back then this did not exist. For me it was a two-year conversion masters course, aimed at those who already have an undergraduate degree. I was fortunate as I made a very late application to Sheffield University and was accepted to start, all within a couple of months of doing coaching. My fear during coaching was not coming to any firm conclusions on my career, but once I had reached the decision to become a Landscape Architect I felt very motivated to make it happen.

What were the best and most challenging parts of your career change?

One of the best parts was starting to explore my creativity again, something I had loved during school and then pretty much abandoned. I loved thinking about the story of a design and how to create a space where people feel welcomed and included. An unexpected benefit was that I moved from London to Sheffield for the course, a city that has allowed me to spend far more time outdoors. I met lots of wonderful people studying who have become great friends and I have since decided to continue living in Sheffield. The most challenging part for me was that the pandemic started halfway through my first year of study, and the rest of the course was all online. Studying a creative, practical course in this way was very difficult and I really struggled. I also know how lucky I was to be safe and secure during this time so I say this only to describe my experience.

How is your new path going?

I am now a qualified Landscape Architect working for a firm in Sheffield and I’m working towards my Chartership. I’m currently involved with a lot of school projects which feels like a nice circularity to my career. It has been so exciting to work on real schemes for the first time and realise the impact my contribution will have. I love analysing a site and letting the landscape lead you to the best design solution based on the client brief. At times I still grapple with the contrast between the artistic, imaginative focus of a Landscape Architecture degree and the practicality of real working life but coaching helped me understand that I have autonomy in my career and I have plenty of time to work out this balance. If I was to go back to my values of community, creativity and variety I know that my career gives me those. Most importantly, for me, I work with a really wonderful group of people and I feel settled and rooted in this industry.

What advice would you give someone who is also thinking of changing careers?

I would say that if you are thinking about it, then it is a clear sign you need to create change in your working life. It may not necessarily need to be an entire career change but it is seriously worth taking the time to assess what you want from work. Don’t be afraid to give it due consideration because most of us will spend a huge part of our lives working. I really would recommend coaching to help lead, clarify and support your thinking.

From Founder to Product Design – Ben Macandrews

“What work were you doing before your career change?

I started my career following a passion for cooking, I worked as a chef in restaurants before deciding to launch my own businesses. I started a street food business called Laffa, catering at festivals, weddings and markets across London and the South of England. After that I ran a meal delivery startup PEP Kitchen, selling healthy plant based dishes and meal kits.

What made you reach out for coaching in the first place?

Unfortunately PEP Kitchen didn’t work out financially and we had to close the business. I found myself at a loss as to my next steps, lacking the appetite to start another business or return to work in the hospitality sector. My time as an entrepreneur running small businesses meant I had a broad, shallow set of skills and an eclectic CV. I knew I wanted to start a new career but lacked the confidence or direction to go it alone.

Describe your experience of coaching. (What results, insights or learnings did you get from the coaching?)

I gained a lot of confidence during my experience of coaching with Chloë. I learnt to reframe my position, which was shrouded in negativity at the start of the process. My broad set of skills could be a strength, I had far more options than I thought existed. I learnt to entertain careers that I didn’t even know existed and got really excited about the process. Coaching helped build the patience and determination to succeed in my career change, despite the massive uphill challenge that lay ahead of me at the time.

What new path did you choose and why did you choose it?

I explored many ideas and decided that Product Design was the right path for me. I had a good amount of transferable skills, having run an e-commerce website and done all of the design in my businesses from marketing materials to packaging. I was really excited by the idea of working in tech, of having the opportunity to work in fast paced startups and build products alongside engineers. I was able to close the skill gap with self paced learning and build up enough work for a portfolio website.

How did you actually make the change? What was the process?

The start of the process really began with talking to as many people as I could about their careers, companies and sectors. Chloë really challenged me on this and the experience was invaluable. I was able to learn how friends and contacts had started their careers, about the nuances of different fields and industries, what I thought would suit my skills and nature and just as importantly what wouldn’t. After commiting down one path, I put all my energy into building my portfolio and being really particular about careful, high quality job applications.

What were the best and most challenging parts of your career change?

The process of applying for jobs required a substantial amount of resilience and patience. That was a challenge staying positive and motivated. I was really fortunate to find a high growth tech startup with one of their values being “”entrepreneurship””. They particularly wanted people who could show entrepreneurial qualities and valued attitude over experience. The interview went really well and I’ve been happily working with them for almost a year.

How is your new path going?

Great! I’m really happy to have made the change, I’m working in an exciting company with a great team of people. I get to enjoy lots of the things I enjoyed from running businesses – problem solving, teamwork and creativity. It’s been daunting but really invigorating jumping into a new sector and new role and having so much to learn. It does feel strange to be “”junior”” all over again but I have that added life experience to guide me.

What advice would you give someone who is also thinking of changing careers?

Allow yourself to entertain some new career ideas without immediately shutting them down “”I couldn’t possibly do…””. Go and talk to people in those roles and industries and learn as much as you can, see if you can dip your toe into something new. You don’t need to quit your job tomorrow to do all of that, there’s no risk and it may lead to something really exciting. If you don’t feel confident or know how to do any of that, get some coaching – it really helped and ultimately accelerated my career change.”

From Project Management to Production – Hannah Haine

What work were you doing before your career change?

I was working in project management for a small illustration agency, as well as creating my own illustrations on a freelance basis.

What made you reach out for coaching in the first place?

I graduated from university having no idea what I wanted to do, which made me feel pretty lost and stuck. It was hard to get out of the negative mindset I associated with job hunting, especially as this coincided with COVID. I decided to look for a work coach because I needed someone to help guide me in the right direction and to keep me motivated. Also, the tools and techniques I was previously using for job hunting weren’t getting me anywhere.

Describe your experience of coaching. (What results, insights or learnings did you get from the coaching?)

My coaching experience with Chloe was motivational and positive. From feeling pretty hopeless at the start, Chloe’s positive energy and valued experience made me feel excited to look for a job. I didn’t dread it as much. For me, the most effective advice was to cold call people from companies I admired. This not only increased my confidence but also allowed me to learn first hand about a role. These were informal chats which allowed for open and honest conversations. Another helpful task was undertaking deep research. Previously when I’d been job hunting, I would aimlessly scroll through LinkedIn active jobs which just resulted in me feeling disappointed and tired. A far more energising approach which Chloe suggested was to really think about what sort of industries I’m interested in, have options, research these companies, find companies which are similar to ones you admire. I hadn’t been effectively using LinkedIn, and there are so many tips and tricks I wasn’t aware of. In general, the sessions allowed me to reflect, which helped me with both my career path and my personal life.

What new path did you choose and why did you choose it?

A month after I had my final session with Chloe I landed a job at a Learning and Development company. It was great to be able to support teams with their own personal growth in the world of work, and outside of it. 9 months later I chose a different career path. I knew I always wanted to work in the creative world, but wasn’t too sure what role. So I moved on to a more creative role, in the production team of a creative agency.

How did you actually make the change? What was the process? 

I took the time to think about my values and strengths. This was one of the first exercises Chloe and I did together. Having reflected on this, I could then start thinking about what sort of industries I’d enjoy working in. From there, researching companies was really exciting because I was discovering places I could see myself working at. Generating as many career ideas as possible was a helpful exercise as it forces you to think outside the box. Chloe recommended doing this in a visual map, and being visual learner, this worked well for me. Then there were some really practical and actionable tasks to undertake. Reaching out to people on LinkedIn who you have a common connection with for an informational interview to get a deep dive into their role. I found this method invaluable, as you’re gaining connections as well as information about a role.

What were the best and most challenging parts of your career change?

The most challenging part was cold calling people, it was really daunting the first few times as it seems quite unnatural, but most of the time people were really helpful and keen to talk about their work and what they do. Of course, another challenge is rejection, but I kept reminding myself that the process is all good experience. In my opinion, the best part of searching for a job is the reflection process, I really learnt a lot about myself. Having Chloe pose questions which you wouldn’t normally think about yourself, and having someone there to discuss these ideas with was invaluable.

How is your new path going?

I’m really enjoying working in production, it’s exciting and no project is ever the same. I work with a great team and I’m being constantly challenged and thrown in the deep end, which for me is the best way to learn. I feel like I’m moving closer to some of the goals which I set myself with Chloe back when we had our sessions.

What advice would you give someone who is also thinking of changing careers?

My advice for someone who is thinking about changing careers is to dedicate a solid amount of time to really think about why you want to move on. Sometimes problems faced at work can be solved where you are, through conversations with team members, managers etc. If that’s not the case, and you wish to delve into an entirely new industry, I would definitely recommend a work coach. It’s so helpful having an outsider’s thoughts and expertise. If you are unsure of what path to take next, I recommend to be open and don’t close yourself off to things which you wouldn’t normally go for. Research, research, research in out of the box ways, don’t just scroll on job sites. Research companies first, then reach out to them. Even if they don’t have active job openings, don’t let this stop you getting in touch as the majority of jobs aren’t advertised. They might even find a role that they think would fit you perfectly.