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Topic: NYC Career Counselor - Help
| Author | Message |
| IrishArmos | Posted – 7/12/2007 2:01:50 PM | show profile | email poster My girlfriend is currently running a very prominent high end woman's clothing store in Manhattan has been with this company since she has graduated college 4 years ago. She now wants to leave but feels stuck. Having been in the retail business since the start of her professional life she feels that this has hurt her more than helped her in her search to find something new. I am wondering if someone can direct me to a career counselor or head hunter that can sit down and speak to my girlfriend about her career aspirations. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you - Ryan |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 7/12/2007 2:37:57 PM | show profile ME TOO Hey Ryan! Tell your girlfriend I'm in the same boat! I've been working in broadcasting since age 19 ... and 19 years later my entire professional career has been exclusively in radio and televison. Unfortunately, people don't understand the life sacrifices necessary to maintain this career, and frankly ... I WANT A LIFE! The hours are killing me! But every time I try to network with people outside of my career, the *glamour factor* seems to blind them, and I get the same reactions: "Wow! How exciting!" "Why would you ever want to leave?" Blah blah blah. The problem is, I have a mortgage and other financial responsibilities, and I can't afford to take a major pay cut. And ... after spending 19 years of reporting, anchoring, writing, editing, and producing newscasts, I don't know how my skills could possibly translate at, say, an investment bank. Yes, my job has been "fulfilling". But after 19 years of working every holiday ... weekends ... evenings ... and overnights ... I'm ready to make the move from finding "fulfillment from my job" to "fulfillment from my LIFE". Help!! Please? |
| questoo1 | Posted – 7/12/2007 2:50:50 PM | show profile I was in ad sales years ago and decided I wanted a change so I got into executive search (the economics of the business are such that I didn't have to take a pay cut either). Initially in media, but have since transitioned into more um..lucrative areas of practice. I guess the point im trying to make is that you should try to take a look at what you are doing, your skills, your contacts and think about where those could most easily be transitioned to. Not that this is any earth shattering advice but it worked for me so it can be done. |
| IrishArmos | Posted – 7/12/2007 3:41:54 PM | show profile thanks guys |
| candicec11 | Posted – 7/12/2007 8:59:46 PM | show profile | email poster New Career Like your girlfriend, I have been working in a highly specialized field and tried to get out. I was always told I am over-qualified for most positions or not qualified for lack of experience for the job I was applying for. I discovered starting over is becoming more common; I met several others who changed careers. What helps in starting over is education/experience in the new career whether it's trade school, degree, or going through a temp service to add diversity to the resume. The temp service is also a good way of trying different jobs to see what you might like. When all else fails when deciding on a career, start with doing what you love and seeing if there is a way to make money at it! Good luck |
| ManhattanMatt | Posted – 7/12/2007 9:03:36 PM | show profile I appreciate the advice, Candi ... ...unfortunately I think my only real option to transition into another industry at my current income level would be getting an MBA ... a near-impossible option short of me coming into a pile of cash, or marrying a guy who can support me while I go back to school. :( |
| foodlit | Posted – 7/13/2007 7:30:59 AM | show profile | email poster questoo, I also was in ad sales before moving into headhunting! Too funny. There's a saying that I really think is true, "Do what you love and the money will follow." That's how I moved into headhunting, looked at my skills and what I enjoyed doing and it turned out to be a perfect fit... But, I've also worked with many candidates who were in similar positions as the two of you, looking to make a major career shift, and feeling pigeonholed, finding that the only interviews they were being called for were for the kind of work they didn't want to do anymore. What I would do is sit down and look at your career, what aspects of it you've loved, what your strengths are, and what kinds of positions those skills could possibly transfer to. Then, think about taking a class or getting some related experience even if it's a project at work or side job or something that you can put onto your resume. I'd revamp your resume to highlight the job you want, not the one you have. Then, I'd hit the phones hard to network and set up some informational interviews. Explain that you are looking to do a major career shift, and just want a quick meeting to 'pick their brain' a bit about what they do and to find out a bit more about the job you are targeting. I took this approach when I was looking to move into recruiting, and truthfully said, "I'm looking to shift gears, and I'm fairly certain that I want to go into recruiting. I have a good idea of the job, but I'd love to talk with you to fill in some of the gray areas, and learn more about the role." In other words, I wanted to see if my perception of the role was accurate, and to fill in the blanks on anything I'd missed. People generally love to talk about what they do, so I found that they were very receptive to talking with me. One of these meetings also led to my first job in recruiting, and a 10 year stay at that company. Good luck! Pam |
| reporterwriter | Posted – 7/13/2007 10:45:24 AM | show profile A life coach can help with these things. Not a lifestyle coach, not a career coach, but a life coach. Go online and see what you find. A life coach can coach from anywhere, so don't let geography limit your choice. |
