I was recently facilitating a career class to professionals just entering into their career change phase. Some had been laid off, others voluntarily left and some were seeking a career change! During the break, Carl approached me with a troubling dilemma.
Before I tell you the dilemma, let me tell you about Carl’s professional background. His profession is in Translation …… Okay, I know what you are thinking, a what? In essence, what he does is work with companies and 3rd party vendors to have instructions/information translated into multiple languages. When you buy products that come with instructions you might have noticed they are translated into different languages. He is the guy who translates the instructions so that they are in alignment with the English version.
Carl Wanted a Career Change that was in alignment with his values.
Carl speaks multiple languages and is a world traveler, so his career change choice is a natural fit with his Values!
After Carl had been laid off, he started to contemplate doing something different that he loved. But he wasn’t sure if what he wanted to do was too left field and would perceived as disconnected from his career path.
What Carl wanted to do was become a Wine Sommelier. I could tell by the look on his face and the tone in his voice, he really wanted to pursue this opportunity but had a quandaries about :
a) Could he really do this.
b) Will this look silly on his resume?
c) How will this kind of work would fit into his overall career plan.
Carl was concerned because he might want to go back to the original position that started it all! If you have ever felt this way about a making a career change let me know in the comments below.
Quietly, I asked if I could ask him a few questions. At this point he looked like the kid who got caught red-handed stealing cookies out the cookie jar. It was easy to see he felt he was in trouble. I should have never said anything!
After I proceeded to ask him what he liked about wine he seemed more at ease because he realized he actually wasn’t in trouble. Carl lit up and went on a wine tangent and talked about how wine was very important to him and his lifestyle.
A good career change for Carl should include the wine industry because Carl is very passionate about wine. Carl has a strong Passion for wine.
My next question was the million dollar question! I asked what did his current profession of a Translation…. have in common with his desired profession as a Wine…? He looked very puzzled! My other compound question: What does translation mean and how does it affect a person if they can now understand the information and have an experience similar or the same? His Ah-ha moment arrived!
He started to put the puzzle together; the act of translating language, information and experiences was very similar to wine tasting!! Every person has as different connection and experience with wine! Wine has layers and notes and so does translation! Boy did his face turn a shade of bright! Carl said, “you mean to tell me I can use skills from my current profession, my world travels, and connect them to what’s important to me with my Values and Passion?” I gave him a look of well can you? He said, “YES I can!” He just gave himself permission to pursue what means the most to him!
Here is what I want you to take away from Carl’s career change story:
1. Your Values are important in your life and you owe it to yourself to clear about them.
2. Pursuing your Passions adds spice to your personal and professional life.
3. The only permission you need to live fully is from YOU!
Carl has an interview lined up for the Wine Sommelier position. Stay tuned for the update on his story. It will certainly be a beginning and not an ending!
The moral of this story: Don’t be afraid of making a career change that might appear to be out of left field. Connect your values and skills to something meaningful and worth achieving and you will always have opportunities!
Comment below by sharing what you feel is currently holding you back from taking the leap and finally making a career change.
The Career Reinvention Coach
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