From talking about awesome things to making them happen
How communications specialist Bec transitioned to a lead role in diversity, inclusion, and equity.
‘We all have transferrable skills, and you don't need to tick every single box in a job advertisement. Back yourself and apply!’
What sparked your career change?
I'd always been most fulfilled when working for an organisation with purpose. Lately, I felt that I'd been moving away from this. I wanted to take stock and do some work to find a role that would always make me feel I contributed.
What work were you doing previously?
I worked in communications, most recently internal communications for a private health company.
What are you doing now?
I'm a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead with Fujitsu, Australia, and New Zealand. It's early days, but I love it so far!
Why did you change?
I wanted to be the one making awesome things happen instead of talking about everyone else doing great things! And I was really ready for a change. It was time to try new things, learn something different and challenge myself in a new way.
What process did you go through to decide to change?
I felt like I was going around in circles a bit because there were so many things that interested me. So, I reached out to Jo to help me structure and plan my career change.
What was the hardest part of changing careers?
Getting out of my own head and backing myself. I would often not apply for roles I was interested in because I didn't meet every single criterion. Once I overcame that, things started to happen!
How did you go about making the shift?
I looked at the skills I needed to improve for the job I wanted. Then I set about building on them in my current role.
I began pitching ideas related to diversity and inclusion to see if I could get some runs on the board for making an impact there. I volunteered at a community legal centre and completed a unit on Aboriginal community engagement at Southern Cross University. I also spoke to people in the field.
I soon realised I already had a lot of the right skills and knowledge for the role I wanted. I just had to think about applying them differently.
Thanks to working with Jo, I also realised where I work is just as important as what I do. I pinned a description of my preferred workplace on the wall, which helped me manifest where I wanted to be.
What help did you get?
Jo helped me heaps! I also talked to people I respected and surrounded myself with positive people who had my back.
What have you learnt in the career change process?
We all have transferrable skills, and you don't need to tick every single box in a job advertisement. Back yourself and apply!
If you could go back to you at the start of your career change journey, what would you say to yourself?
You are smarter than you think.
Are you happy with the change?
So far, yes, for sure.
What do you miss, and what don't you miss?
I miss nothing.
What do you enjoy most about your new career?
Meeting amazing people, helping to create solutions to important global and local issues. Being part of a purpose-driven and authentic organisation.
What do you wish you'd done differently?
Nothing really. I see now how my experiences led me to this role. Even difficult ones were a chance to learn and meet amazing people.
What 3 tips would you give others in the same situation?
Get a plan – but always listen to your gut intuition
Ask for help, put yourself forward, apply for something if you are keen. The worst they can say is no. You don't ask; you don't get.
Write it down, stick it up, manifest it, visualise it, put what you want out into the universe.
By Jo Green, Career Change Coach
I know that when you find what you love, heart and soul, your life changes. I work every day with people who are reshaping their current careers, starting new enterprises or searching for a new direction. Basically I help people who don’t like their job to figure out what to do instead!
As a Careershifters and Firework Advanced Certified Coach and experienced career changer myself, I can help you figure out what fulfilling work looks like for you.
Drop me a note to organise a free 20 minute consultation to chat about your career change and how coaching could help.
