I was THIRLLED to receive this email from a former client recently. We worked together several years ago and her dream was to find a job in a study abroad office, preferably in Italy.
To: Hallie Crawford
Subject: Good news
Hi Hallie,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a great holiday.
I wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that after almost resigning to the possibility that I would never get a job at IES Abroad (the study abroad organization through which I went to Rome) — and almost deciding to never apply for a job there again — I have landed a job there. Although it is a part-time, temporary admin job that does not pay all that well, I figured I would go ahead and apply for it since it might just be the ticket I’m looking for while in graduate school, in order to get a feel for the place, in my field. Maybe it will be a foot in the door, too, who knows. Anyway, I probably mentioned IES during our coaching sessions back in 2007, and at that time it’s possible that, at least initially, I was putting all my eggs in one basket by applying there again and again. It may not end up being the place for me, but at least now I have the opportunity to find out.
Thanks for that nudge you gave me to help me find my career path!
~ M
This email reminded me of how important it is to remember that the key to career transition is patience and persistence. It’s about the journey, just like everything else. We have to remember that it takes time, but it is well worth it to have a job you enjoy.
I have found that when people rush their career transition, they make a move too quickly and sometimes end up in a job that actually isn’t the right fit for them. This of course doesn’t apply when you just need to get a job to pay your bills or get by. You have to get something to take care of yourself, of course.
To really find the career that is a true fit for you takes time and effort. People hate hearing this from me because they are eager to know their career direction, and they want to know now. I understand this completely, I was once in the same postion. I now know that just like anything else, good things take time and effort. When you’re talking about a career you can enjoy for a lifetime, the time spent up front is well worth it.
So try to be patient, try to enjoy the journey and be persistent. You need to realize that although your career change can take some time, having a job you truly enjoy is priceless in the end. I would go through my four year transition all over again, even if it took twice as long, to be as happy as I am now in my job.
Hallie Crawford
Career Coach
