Five to Thrive Tuesday-Empower Yourself for Thriving Career Transitions

[00:24] Valerie Hatcher: Hello, fabulous ladies, and welcome back to another Five to Thrive Tuesday. Last week, we took a little time out to laugh at ourselves as we talked about some of the funny realities we face after 50. I hope you laughed as much as I did. Today we're talking about career transitions. With my background in HR, this is a topic that is super interesting to me. You might be thinking, why are we discussing career transitions when I'm trying to retire soon? Well, me too. But you know, today as a society, we are working longer, so it might not be at the same job or in the same profession as we've always worked. Maybe it's time for something different. Making those bold, courageous changes in our professional lives can lead to rewarding experiences and personal growth. So whether you're thinking of a career change or simply curious about what could be, or just interested in the possibilities, then this episode is for you. So let's dive into our five tips. Our first tip for navigating career transitions is around self assessments. Reflect on your interests, strength, skills, and passions. Where do you want your career to head? Now, one practical method is to take a professional personality test such as Myers Briggs type indicators. Strength Finder Strong Interest inventory. I actually love assessments, and what's interesting is they're usually all on point and pretty much say the same thing as to where my strengths lie. But these can provide insights into your personal preferences and potential career matches. Next, let's talk about networking. Now, I know it can sound intimidating or may feel like a chore. I get it because I've thought the same thing. Networking really is just about building relationships, and it's one of the most valuable tools when transitioning careers within your current company or even outside to something new. I try not to think of it as this whole formalized process, but think of it as meeting new people. Now, consider joining professional organizations, attending industry conferences such as Sherm for HR, Folk, or even reaching out to individuals on LinkedIn who work in the field that you're interested in. You'd be surprised how open people can be to helping others explore their career paths. Now, moving to our third tip. That's seeking mentorship. So finding somebody who's experienced in your desired field can be invaluable someone who's maybe been there, someone who knows the ropes and can offer practical advice. They can also provide guidance, share their knowledge, and might even help you avoid some pitfalls along the way. This could be a colleague or even someone you admire and maybe met through networking efforts. If you're looking to stay within your own company, find a mentor who currently works in the area in which you're interested. I remember many years ago when I thought I was interested in HR. I first started researching the field, both within the company but also externally, to see what the industry was like as a whole. I then developed a mentoring relationship with one of the leaders in our HR department. Well, this was twofold. I learned more about the job, and the leader got to learn more about me, and later she hired me. Our fourth tip is about lifelong learning and upskilling. Technology is advancing quickly, and so is the job market. Upskilling, or learning new technologies can make you more competitive and appealing to potential employers, both within your current company, if that is of interest to you, or a new employer. This could be anything from attending workshops, enrolling in online courses, or even going back to school. I again reflect on my moved HR, so I figured if I was going to make that transition, I wanted to learn all I could learn. So I decided to obtain my master's in HR. Actually, it was in Human relations and business. Now, I didn't need a master's degree to get the job, but I wanted something that was going to set me apart from others and also give me a holistic view of HR in all its facets. So if you decide to further your education, check to see if your current employer offers a tuition reimbursement program that could assist financially. And finally, don't forget the strength of your own experience. Think of it as an asset. You have decades of valuable experience, skills, and wisdom that younger candidates might not have. Many skills you acquire in your current and your previous roles could be transferable. For instance, someone who has spent years in finance could be equipped with excellent problem solving, leadership, and communication skills that could transfer to a new career. So don't underestimate your skills and the value of your experience. And just like that, we're rounding up another session of our Five to Thrive Tuesday. Today we took a deep dive into career transitions, exploring the world of self assessments, networking, mentoring, mentorships, lifelong learning, and recognizing the power of our own experience. Remember, every career twist and turn you make is an exciting part of your journey. Our chat today was all about empowering you to make these transitions with confidence and embracing the rewarding experiences that follow. As you can tell, career transitions is a topic that has many parts. We just touched the surface today. I think next week we might continue the conversation and go a little deeper on some of the tips as we wrap up. Don't forget to join us on the first and third Wednesday for our regular podcast. We're continuing our series Exploring Life After 50, where we unravel more secrets to aging with grace and style. Now, before we sign off, let's make this conversation bigger. If you enjoyed today's episode, spread the love like subscribe and share our podcast. Let's inspire and empower more women. I would also love to hear your thoughts, career transition stories, and even questions that you might have. Your insights might just be inspiration for an upcoming episode. Let's connect on social at I am Valerie Hatcher. Or email me at hello@agingwithgraceandstyle.com. So until we meet again, remember, ladies, age is just a number, and we're here to make every number count. Let's continue to age with grace, style and a touch of.