Portfolio Careers - Can We Really Have It All?

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I read about portfolio careers a couple of years ago and really liked the whole concept.  Having read about this still fairly new idea again recently, it got me thinking.  Portfolio careers could be the perfect way to trial a new career idea.  Imagine being able to finally be a florist after spending hours in your current job daydreaming? By following a portfolio career path you could afford to work in a flower shop a couple of days a week whilst continuing in your current career, by simply requesting part time hours. This would seem the perfect idea if like me you like to mix things up a bit and a normal 9-5 career path doesn't fit with your ideal.  No more boredom, just weeks of working in two or even three jobs, that most importantly you want to do.

But does this all sound too good to be true? A friend has managed to find a happy balance mixing up consultancy work from her old career and two days a week in her new career.  Another friend is about to relaunch her career, mixing up her writing work with brand styling consultancy.  Portfolio careers do not have to follow extremely different paths, you could mix and match similar jobs, specialising in your field, becoming a consultant.  It would seem to me the possibilities are endless and could be the answer we have been looking for, whether we are mothers or not.  Becoming our own boss whilst still being on somebody elses payroll.  

Have you found the solution through a portfolio career? Is this an idea that appeals to you? I would really love to hear from you, to share if this idea is having your cake and eating it!

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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It's Never Too Late To Start Again

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One of the biggest fears for mature students is being too old.  Just imagine turning up to that first day of induction week and being the only person over thirty in the room.  Well erase that thought right now.  Just about every course in the country has a good mix of students, old, young and every age inbetween.  I worried about being too old to be a student again, but that fear was quenched on my very first day.

So stop using your age as an excuse.  It really is never too late to start again.

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
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Retraining - Ideas A Plenty

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Once the seed has been sown to change career it is hard to ignore.  Ideas spin around your head at the possibilities.  It is important at this early stage to not ignore even the craziest of ideas.  Maybe joining the circus isn't realistic but training to teach people to ride ponies is possible.  Having brainstormed your ideas the next step is to consider which are viable.  Take time to research your ideas, which will involve taking new qualifications or gaining experience in a chosen field?  Before the reality of cost takes over take the time to explore your ideas.  Armed with the facts it maybe easier to climb any financial obstacles.  

Narrowing down your ideas can be hard, but the more research you do the easier it will be.  Suddenly the appeal of some careers will lose their shine as you realise that actually there are parts of it that you would really hate.  Or maybe you really don't want to spend three, four or more years studying then trying to work your way up a career ladder in a world that tends to favour people in their twenties.  I know that when I researched my ideas there were some that were dismissed at an early stage, as I felt I would be too close to forty once qualified.  Many will disagree that we shouldn't consider our age when looking to retrain, but let's be realistic, there are simply some careers meant for the younger generation.

Having narrowed down your ideas it is now time to gain a realistic insight of your shortlisted careers.  Perhaps arrange a day in the relevant department, this is easily done with nursing and healthcare careers.  Modern internships are a possibility and some seem to be part time so you could maybe reduce your normal working hours whilst experiencing your new career idea.  Grown up work experience is quite a scary concept but could be invaluable in your decision making.  Remember if you don't ask, you don't get, so take the plunge, contact your local architects, law firm, design studio to see if they would accomadate you whilst you consider if this could be the new start you desire.  

Be sure to share with me your ideas and I would love to know if any of you have tried 'grown up work experience'.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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What Would You Do?

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I have been spending a little time on Pinterest these past few days and saw this quote/question.  It got me thinking back to when I was making my decision to retrain and thought it may help those of you at a crossroads in your career or life in general.  So what would you do if you weren't afraid?

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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Planning a Career Change - Taking Those First Steps

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So it's almost the end of January and you have trudged your way through another month of work.  Or maybe your children have headed back to school and you are seriously thinking about what you want to do, now that time is a little more available.  Making the decision to retrain can be very easy, most people know what they want to do.  But the bravest part of the decision is to actually do something about it.  Taking that leap of faith onto a new path can be the scariest thing ever.  For me the scariest part was walking into a room full of strangers on the first day of my course.  The moment I stepped into that lecture room, amongst seventy other future radiographers I knew my decision to retrain was now very real.  Few of us knew anyone else, we were all in the same boat.  Some fresh from sixth forms around the country, some like me, changing career. Yet we all had one thing in common, we were all brand new first year students.

Making that decision to retrain is one of the best I have ever made.  Yet it wasn't easy and certainly didn't happen overnight.  I was cautious, I deliberated, I kept persuading myself that I was too old to retrain. Obviously the last statement is only relevant if I was trying to enter a career that only younger people were allowed.  I spent months considering what I wanted to do, what I could do.  Options were limited by finances and location.  With a large, young family I had no intention of relocating for the course that sounded the most exciting.  Neither could I afford to fund a more vocational course.  Brainstorming became a big part of life.  Sheets of paper were filled the ideas, some crazy, some doable.  This is the most vital part of your retraining plans.  These initial ideas will be insightful and don't be afraid to let your imagination run wild. Scribble down all the things you love to do, all the types of jobs you would like to consider.  Imagine you are in Class 2 again when Miss Smith asks 'what would you like to be when you grow up?'.  This initial stage of planning your future career is vital.  

So if you are considering retraining I urge you to sit down this weekend and brainstorm.  Get a large sheet of paper and start planning your future.  Stop talking, take that first leap because it is better to be scared than bored!

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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Starting my Second Year

Well here I am sat at uni, ready for the start of my second year.  I can't quite believe the summer is over and feel a little disgruntled that I have returned to class before my own children, but hey ho that's just the way it is.  Studying for a medical or health degree does not give you the benefit of lovely long holidays as there is so much to fit in the three years.  However the biggest benefit I can see is that I will leave university with a qualification that will just about guarantee a job.  I will also be doing something I love, that will benefit so many people, so heading back to uni now isn't so bad.

I can't quite believe that I made it to the second year.  Believe me there were days when I almost threw in the towel.  But thankfully I have a rock of a husband, a fantastic clinical lecturer and a supportive mentor.  Without these three people I am not sure I would have made it this far.  Retraining is a huge change, so if you are contemplating heading in a new direction with your career be prepared for days when you question everything you are desperately trying to achieve.  

So here I go at the start of another roller coaster year that I know will be exciting, scary and bloody hard work! But I wouldn't want it any other way.

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

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New Term, New You

The new school year has always felt full of promise for me, more so than the real new year celebrations in January. A new pencil case and shiny new school shoes were a delight when I was younger and now the promise of a new notebook is very appealing.  I am sure I am not the only one who relishes the new beginnings of September.  This time last year I was had started my journey through Clearing with my interview looming for my degree.  I can't quite believe that I am now preparing to start my second year.  Making the decision to apply for this degree was not a quick one but the whole process happened very quickly once I had applied.

I will write more about my journey to the big decision another day, but for now I just want to say, don't delay if you have made the decision to retrain. Apply through clearing now and you could be stationery shopping for a new school year too!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
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