From Law to Youth Leadership

From Law to Youth Leadership Success Story > From: Job To: Job From Law to Youth Leadership “For one of the first times in my life, I made a major, life-changing decision by gut instinct.” * From Law to Youth Leadership Anna Watson found herself stressed out and tense, in a career she'd never really chosen. So, she decided to take a leap of faith. Here's how a double shift â€" including a detour up the mountains of New Zealand â€" led her to a career that fits her perfectly. What work were you doing previously? I was a corporate solicitor. My team did general corporate work including mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and contract review. We had a range of both private and government clients. The role also gave me the opportunity to go on a six-month secondment to one of the magic circle firms in London. What are you doing now? I work at a charitable organisation, Inspiring Stories Trust. I'm Programme Manager for its Future Leaders programme, which backs emerging leaders aged 18â€"25 in rural and provincial New Zealand to build their social entrepreneurship and leadership capability, apply their learning, and develop initiatives to make a difference in their backyard. It's pretty inspiring stuff. I'm also Programme Manager of Live the Dream, a nine-week social entrepreneurship accelerator programme. I design the curriculum, do a lot of facilitation, build relationships with our funding partners(local councils and mayors, in particular), and manage the budget. Why did you change? At both of the law firms I worked at, I was putting in long hours, was privy to some very stressful projects, and never quite shook the feeling that I shouldn't be there. I had never originally planned to be a lawyer; I'd intended to continue my studies with a Masters in Town Planning. But when my sister encouraged me to follow in her footsteps and pursue the corporate law path â€" and when I did well at it â€" a ball seemed to be set in motion and I kept going. I had a feelingI wasn't headed in the right direction;I just wasn't quite ready to change course. I was determined to put in at least two years at my firm before fronting up to a big shift. Once that time was up, I was ready to take another look. And when I did, I was somewhat alarmed by how off-kilter it all felt. When was the moment you decided to make the change? Looking back, I suspect the London secondment could have been the straw that broke the camel's back. It's very common for Kiwis to rack up their two to three years in New Zealand then head to London or a similarly international city to practise over there. It boosts the CV, the bank account and one's options for exciting holiday destinations. I only had a six-month placement, but at the end of my time there I knew I wouldn't be coming back for round two. I remember sitting on a beach in Morocco and feeling my shoulders un-hunch and my back loosen. I realised how tense I'd been for the past six months, sitting on high alert in my supervisor's office in London. I knew then that it just wasn't worth it. So, I went back home and spent a further eight months working for my law firm in Auckland before signing out of corporate law altogether. Are you happy with the change? I have noregrets, both in terms of the change, and in pursuing law in the first place. Both close friends and family have commented on how much more relaxed I am now. Rather than being 'Corporate Anna' at work and an entirely different human at home, I feel like I can be more true to myself in the workplace. Having time autonomy is incredibly important to me, as is scope of creativity and meaningful contact with people. I know I'll look for these elements in any job I take from now on. Looking back, I do value the training, experience and networks I made before the change. But if I had to go back to that moment of deciding to change, I would do so again â€" every time. What do you miss and what don't you miss? I miss having a wider cohort of peers. The social side of being in the law develops as you progress through the firm. Being part of a much smaller organisation means a smaller support network among colleagues. Having said that, my team at Inspiring Stories is awesome; it's all about quality over quantity! I also miss the training opportunities. Apart from many legal training workshops, law firms are really good at investing in their juniors. Personal development sessions on worker types, being a successful woman in the workplace, leadership skills â€" these were all an important part of my training. Smaller organisations, like the one I'm in now, don't necessarily have the same budget. I do not missreading and re-reading reports for stray commas, the corporate hierarchy, or the stress of doing work which doesn't sit well with my values. And I don't miss cancelling plans with friends for the fourth time in a row. Nor do I miss the lack of autonomy in my job; in fact, I relish sending an email without anyone looking it over and completely redrafting it. How did you go about making the shift? I read books like The Escape Manifesto, from Escape the City,and Leaving Law by Adele Barlow and Ivan Cruz. I also spent a lot of time on websites like Careershifters. I was seeking advice and inspiration on how to make my change. In every story I read, I was looking for a glimpse of insight into how my story would turn out. I very deliberately did not resign until I had another job lined up. I spent my free evenings and weekends searching and applying for new jobs. I didn't know what it was that I wanted to do next. I just knew it was going to be 'something completely different'. Among the array of jobs for which I'd applied was one as a hiking guide in the mountains of Fiordland. I wanted this role more than any of the policy jobs or post-grad opportunities further down my list, and I got it. During this time I'd also been working with a mentor to identify my values, my worker / personality type and the sectors I might best be suited to. I'd been endeavouring to match jobs I applied for with my top five values. However, at the end of the day, I went with my gut. I didn't go through a huge process of analysing my decision to change from lawyer to hiking guide. I was simply too excited at the prospect of showing off New Zealand's finest to a willing audience. So, for perhaps one of the first times in my life, I made a major, life-changing decision by gut instinct. And, with the benefit of hindsight, I really do recommend it. In fact, I employed this technique again when the hiking season came to a close. Although I'd dabbled in the prospect of being a lawyer again, I knew it didn't feel right. And unlike at university, where I'd barrelled along regardless, I decided to take stock of my career compass, and change direction. It felt scary and uncomfortable â€" and there were no guarantees that what I was listening to was indeed my gut â€" but I did it anyway. What didn't go well? What 'wrong turns' did you take? While guiding, I continued to seek out my 'something else', but I was applying for what seemed like a million jobs, without much rhyme or reason. I think I was still in panic mode about not having something lined up to go into immediately. Looking back, I should have taken a firmer stand for just 'going with the flow'. The worst thing would have been to accept a job in much the same way as I had while at university. How did you handle your finances to make your change possible? I started saving money when I was working in London and continued to do so on my return to New Zealand. I went straight into paid employment one week after finishing up at my law firm, so finances were never an issue. What was the most difficult thing about changing? For me, the most difficult thing about changing was going from wanting to make the change to actually making it. When you're still standing on the safe side of change, the gap between you and the other side is immense. It's intimidating and overwhelming. What help did you get? I relied on career change websites like Careershifters and on my mentor for guidance. In addition, I spent hours talking to my close friends â€" many of whom were in similar situations. But, at the end of the day, it was me who had to decide if and how I was going to make a change. Even a career consultant couldn't make that decision for me. What resources would you recommend to others? The Careershifters website, job search websites relevant to your potential new direction, and blogs like mine which tell the story of ordinary people deciding to do something else. And of course the wise words of friends and family (even if they simply serve to tell you that you disagree with all their advice!). What have you learnt in the process? When I was a guide, I was trying to get back in touch with my gut feeling â€" my instincts â€" as well as trying to shake my inclination to map out my life in five year segments. Long-term goal setting had always been my way, but as I was walking through the mountains I reflected that this particular approach hadn't exactly gotten me to an enjoyable place. So I worked on changing tack, and living in the present rather than being forever future-focused. What would you advise others to do in the same situation? Spend some time reading about other people on a similar trajectory to you, like those featured on Careershifters. If you're interested in a particular sector, investigate whether it has dedicated career websites. For example, I was interested in social enterprise, so I subscribed to a New Zealand-based website called Do Good Jobs. I found the listing for what is now my current (epic) job through one of Do Good Job's weekly emails. Definitely start putting an extra bit of money away from each pay cheque. You don't know what's around the next corner, but having a cash buffer can only ever be a good thing! If you want to try out a completely new type of job, find a way to test it out. I did this by applying for the secondment to London, and subsequently confirming that I didn't want to continue investing in my career as a corporate lawyer. Above all, check in with your career compass. Which way is it pointing, and does it align with where you're heading now? If not, ask yourself why. Are those reasons good enough for you to carry on? Or is it time to make the change, terrifying as it might be? You can read more about Anna's career change journey on her blog, www.ofsomethingelse.com. What lessons could you take from Anna's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.

Life as a Pharmacy Student Interview

Life as a Pharmacy Student Interview Life as a Pharmacy Student: Interview (Second year, London School of Pharmacy) 1)           How did you decide your degree choice? I was always very interested in science however, I could not decide between Medicine and Pharmacy. After much debate I opted for Pharmacy, as I thought the career prospects would suit me best. Medicine is a very demanding course and requires a lot of dedication, which I thought I was not ready for. With a Pharmacy degree, I have many options of working in hospitals, community or industry, which most appealed to me. 2)           What were your expectations before starting your degree? I knew the course would be challenging and time-consuming, as the course tries to replicate what Pharmacy life will really be like. However, some elements of the course I did not expect to go into so much detail, such as Physical Chemistry. 3)           What is the jump like from A-level to Undergraduate level? At A-level much of the work was spoon-fed, whereas at university you are expected to carry out independent research, aided by lectures and tutorials. Although there is more freedom at university, there is a lot more pressure to do well and you can easily fall behind on your work. 4)           Which of your science subjects, at A-level, help you in your first year at university? Was there a recap of some modules? At A-level I did Maths, Chemistry and Biology and all of them helped me in my first year of university, as many of the modules were introductions into what we were going to do in the second year and the following years. There were definitely recaps on modules such as Statistics and Organic Chemistry, but with more detail than A-levels. 5)           What do you find most difficult? I think trying to keep organised and keep on top of my work, as very easily you find yourself swamped with a lot of deadlines and reading over lecture notes. 6)           How do you balance your social life and work? Most of the time work comes first but I always try to keep spare time for meeting up with friends and going out to dinner or watching a movie. The best way to do this is to set time for completing university work and then enjoying a relaxing break with friends after. I usually make a list of tasks to complete for each day or through the week and keep a few hours free to go out or spend time on an activity I enjoy. 7)           What do you love most about your degree? I like the fact that my degree is so varied and we learn many aspects of Medicine which I didn’t even know. We cover modules such as Drug Discovery and Therapeutics. It is really an eye opener to the types of work opportunities that are available, such as working in labs or carrying out ward rounds with doctors. I really enjoy the Pharmacy practice side of my degree where we focus on patient counselling, as it shows the reality of community Pharmacy. 8)           Were you required to do any pre reading? If not, wouldve you liked the option? I was not required to do any pre-reading but had we been given the chance, I think it would have been useful. However, much of the modules we covered in first year were touched upon at A-levels, so it was not a necessity to have done any pre-reading. 9)           How many hours per week are you required to study? Excluding scheduled lectures and tutorials, we are required to have approximately 12 hours of independent study per week. 10)   How do you manage your time effectively? I usually make a timetable where I list the tasks I need to go over and set a deadline for when it needs to be completed. 11) Describe your typical day   My typical day starts off with lectures from 9:00 till 12:00 and sometimes till 1:00. During some days of the week we have labs which run from 2:00 till 5:00, which are pretty intensive and demanding. The labs involve making chemically synthesised molecules or extracting DNA from bacteria. Most days I finish early and go to the library to complete coursework and carry out independent studying. Related articles

Passed Over for the Top Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Passed Over for the Top Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career You have spent years building your application solid experience, top skills, and a solid reputation.  You are ready to  take the leap to the next level within your organization only to see the opportunity go to someone from the outside.  What are you to do?  Two years ago, the Chronicle of Higher Education posted an article addressing your options and possible responses when you are an internal candidate and are passed over for a job you believed you deserved: When someone else gets the job you deserve It is a good read as many of us have been in the situation Ms.  Vaillancourt (the author) describes.  She offers six options on how to deal with the situation and each option’s effectiveness.  In the end she recommends “Do something that makes the hiring official realize that you would have actually been the better choice.”  This is definitely a safe route to take.  Why? In this job market, finding a similar level position may be difficult â€" thus keeping your current job may be a blow to your ego, but financially, and career-wise, staying put may be your best option.  Also, by being a stellar employee instead of a cancerous cell within the office, the new hire (possibly your new boss) will see you more as an ally as opposed to a threat that needs to be eliminated. Being a stellar employee can also help shine a positive light on your brand.  The opposite approach, taking a low road and being a cancerous cell within the office, will destroy the brand you have built for some time. I remember the advice a senior director gave me 10+ years ago.  He witnessed a co-worker apply for a senior management position within the department and lose out to an outside applicant.  During the next year, the co-worker was less than a stellar employee and was eventually fired for inappropriate use of funds.  The co-worker could not accept being passed over for the job. After my mentor told me this story, he finished with sound advice.  He said when one is passed over for a job, especially the “top” job within a division when you are a viable candidate (appropriate experience level, skill level, etc.), one should realize the decision most likely means the organization’s leadership does not see that individual as a viable candidate to ever lead that division.  When this happens, the passed-over employee has two options: 1) stay, accept the decision and be at peace that the current level is as high as one will go within that company (or find a way to grow in order to be considered the next time the job comes open) or 2) leave and try for the top job at another organization. The two options may sound as if the choice is between a defeatist or angry reaction.  In my experience when one gets passed over for the top job, if he/she cannot be at peace with the decision, it often turns into a toxic situation that ends poorly.  Be honest with yourself, can you accept being passed over?  Can you work with/for the new person?  How important is the top position to you?  One does not need to leave the day after learning one did not get the job, but if you know you will hold a grudge or cannot work for/with the new hire, it is time to begin to look outside the division and make a move.

How to Choose the Right Candidate for the Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

How to Choose the Right Candidate for the Job - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career This week, I wanted to help entrepreneurs, recruiters and hiring managers by discussing some tips for choosing the right candidate for the job. Hiring the right candidate is very important because the right person can save you time and money by working efficiently. In comparison, a bad hire can cost you time and money as well as create discomfort among other employees. Below, find some tips for choosing the right candidate to hire: Define the Job Right: The first step in the hiring process is posting the job description. If you want to hire the best candidate as an employer, you should pay extra attention to the job description. The description should reflect the daily responsibilities along with the skills needed to complete those responsibilities as precise as possible.   Therefore, as an employer, you should make a careful analysis and collect the right information about the duties and tasks of the job. Also, the wording of the job ad should be clear and concise. Prescreen the Candidates and Ask the Right Questions: Save time by prescreening your candidates. You will see that while a candidate looks ideal on paper, in reality he/she may not be appropriate for the job. They either may have unrealistic salary expectations or their personality may not be a good fit for the company culture. You can easily discover these by making a phone interview with them and asking the right questions. Asking the right questions will help you separate the desired candidates from the average ones. Be Flexible: It is better to be flexible as an employer and remember that people want to grow and that is why they change jobs. If they already have all the skills for that position and don’t need to learn anything new, then, they may not want to work in that position because they cannot move ahead in their careers. If a candidate has 75% of the skills and is willing to learn more, this candidate can be a great fit for the job. Make a Group Decision: It is always better to have more than one interviewer in order to make the best decision about a candidate. You can also divide the interview into different types such as behavioral interview, technical interview, etc. and have different people conduct these interviews. Afterwards, you can discuss the results together and get consensus as a group. At the end, you will see that the group decision about the candidate will be much healthier rather than the decision that you make on your own.

A Professional Resume Writing Service In Barrie, Ontario Can Help You Land That Dream Job

A Professional Resume Writing Service In Barrie, Ontario Can Help You Land That Dream JobYou need a professional resume writing service if you are thinking of working in the health care industry. If you know someone that is, or you are simply looking for some help, then you should hire a professional. This article will discuss some of the things you should look for when choosing a company to hire.The first thing you should do is make sure they have very high quality services. After all, it is important that you get good information, right? You can check out their website or contact them directly, but always make sure you check the business credentials first.The second thing you should do is find out exactly what services they offer and what they offer their clients. Most services offer resume writing services as well as other services such as editing and proofreading. By checking the level of quality, you will be able to determine whether or not you want to use them.Another thing you can do is ask to see samples of their work. If you can, try to see a sample of what you are getting yourself into. You should see examples of well-written resumes, how well they are edited, and the sort of questions you might be asked during an interview. These types of samples can be useful, especially if you have never used one before.Ask about pricing, and how the service is paid for. Some companies will charge you a flat fee per resume, while others may have additional fees for projects. You should always inquire about the different services they offer, so you can compare the prices and features before making your decision. It can be a good idea to check out the company's website for additional information, and to see how you can reach them.Make sure they are not charging you a ridiculous amount of money, and only charge you what you expect to pay. While some people do charge by the hour, others charge by the project. Don't forget to ask about the actual payment options, like i f there are any bonuses for large projects or if there are any shipping costs involved.Finally, make sure they are on the job! They should be available to answer your questions and meet with you to discuss your needs. You should feel comfortable with them and not feel pressured to hire them if you don't want to.Using a professional resume writing service in Barrie can help you get your foot in the door in the healthcare industry. They are there to help you land the job that you deserve.

Major Technology Trends in Education - CareerAlley

Major Technology Trends in Education - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. The current trends in technology have had a great impact on education characterized by the increasing use of the internet in learning institutions. Application of technology in education is seen as a useful tool by students in their various learning activities. This implies that with an internet enabled mobile device, I can easily get my assignment help by viewing class contributions and video presentations online. According to a survey conducted by Project Tomorrow, students, parents, librarians and teachers have adopted modern technology to aid learning in schools and beyond the class settings. Students have stopped relying on computers to access internet owing the rising popularity of smartphones and other internet-enabled devices. Access to Mobile Devices According to a 2013 survey, access to personal mobile devices is increasingly becoming easy among students who have abandoned traditional computers due to their increased portability. 89% of high school students can access internet enabled smartphones while younger students in 3rd to 5th grade have access to such devices. The students can access these gadgets in school and at home. Internet Connection Apart from access to gadgets, the 2013 survey also indicated that 64 % of students in learning institutions have quick access to 3G and 4G internet connection at home as the main internet connection. Wi-Fi enabled TV was also found to be a favorite internet connection mode compared to other means such as broadband connections. Broadband connections are easily monitored by family members prompting students to seek alternative means. Video access for Homework and Classwork Studies on internet usage indicated that teachers and students alike use video presentations in different learning situations. A third of the students interviewed in the survey help each other in homework and classwork assignments via online video access. Further, students access to online videos enables students to access video presentations from their teachers. Schoolwork Mobile devices are crucial tools for students participation in schoolwork learning processes. Studies show that students prefer mobile devices over other gadgets in learning due to the high level of efficiency. It is possible to use the gadgets at any time for research different class topics, set reminders regarding assignments, post photos of assignments and relevant resources for their classwork. A significant number of students also use mobile devices to send inquiries to their instructors regarding various learning problems. Apart from videos, students have adopted different internet-enabled gadgets for communication purposes. Students use social media for e-learning, reading texts and class articles as a fundamental platform for online interactions. In addition, students carry laptops and other gadgets to class to take notes which can be emailed or posted on social media for other students to follow. When the mobile devices are used in the right manner, they become the right tools for students in their different learning tasks. Proper Use of Digital Platforms During the survey, students admitted to shunning students tendencies to post inappropriate content on social media and other online platforms. 44% of the students interviewed in the 2013 survey showed that students believe in the importance and impact of digital platforms on their learning and other aspects of their life. Social Media and learning Studies show that students view social media as a way of life given the positive impact on their learning life. Students therefore use various networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Chat rooms to continuously engage constructive in discussions. We are always eager to hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions regarding CareerAlley content. Good luck in your search,Joey Google+ Visit Joeys profile on Pinterest. what where job title, keywords or company city, state or zip jobs by What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search

The Beginning Of A Beautiful (Working) Friendship Managing Freelancers Appropriately

The Beginning Of A Beautiful (Working) Friendship Managing Freelancers Appropriately Freelancers can be a major coup for your business, or they can drain you of your resources and patience. For those going it alone, its the never-ending challenge of getting your name out there, acquiring contracts, and, of course, doing a good job. But from the perspective of someone running a business, freelancers are that limbo between a contractor and a full-time worker. You need them to get the job done, but at the same time, you have the freedom to let them go, and they have the freedom to leave you at any point, leaving you in the lurch. This is why effective management strategies will serve you well… Gauging The Right Amount Of Communication This all depends on if youve given them a detailed enough brief. Freelancers that work at home require enough information to complete the task to your standards, but they also need the space necessary to complete the task, without feeling that you are micromanaging them. This is why its best for you to work out a system that benefits you both. You need to be kept in the loop, but as long as you give enough information upfront, you can leave them to it. But you still need appropriate updates. In which case, virtual meetings could benefit you. This is an area that is constantly being fine-tuned, and you can download the Global AGM Trends Whitepaper here for the latest information with regards to how virtual and hybrid meetings are being conducted across the world. Remote working is something that a lot of businesses are utilizing, but not necessarily the right sort of communication to go with it. Its important for you when working with freelancers to lay your cards upfront. Nurturing The Relationship If you put enough trust in a freelancer, and they dont let you down, from there, you can begin to utilize their skills, not just for the task they are doing, but for additional ones in the future. Ultimately, freelancers have the option to walk away if they dont like how you are doing things, but if they like how you conduct business, and you give them the support and freedom they like, this can be the beginning of a beautiful working friendship. This relationship, however, is dependent on your own managing of their abilities, but if your business needs them further down the line too. In which case, if you are looking for someone to higher intermittently, would it be better for you to take them on board full-time? On the other hand, working with freelancers on a long-term project, in many ways, requires trust. You can draft a freelance contract which is legally binding, but the real hallmark of managing freelancers properly is putting your trust in their ability to do the job. The hiring process is vital when getting a freelancer on board because you can look at their previous work, and get a good idea of their reputation. But regardless of how much experience they have, if youre not able to manage them adequately, its not going to be a fruitful working relationship.