Starting a new career from scratch: Lauren on normalising conversations about money

Starting a new career from scratch can be intimidating, but for Lauren, it was a chance to pursue her passion. Although, it wasn’t without its fair share of bumps that came along the way. In this article, we’ll explore Lauren’s journey and her mission to normalise conversations about money.

Lauren’s story is a testament to the power of persistence and hard work. Having to restart her career after she lost her job due to COVID-19, she was able to build a successful career and become a respected voice on the radio. Now, she wants to share her story to empower others and break down the stigma surrounding money conversations.

Where it all changed

Like many others, the pandemic drastically impacted Lauren’s career, forcing her to pivot. In her case, she chose to chase her childhood dream of becoming a radio presenter. The move meant she would be starting her career from scratch. Unsure of where to begin, she looked up how to start a podcast. Australian Radio School came up in her Google search, so she enrolled. After 12 weeks and no expectations, she realised she had done well. Seasoned radio presenter Sean Craig Murphy from SAFM told Lauren that what she had was “something special”. That was the moment she quit her job and went for it.

Initially describing herself as shy, Lauren recognised early on the importance of self-reflection and prioritising personal growth, enabling her to dedicate her energy to building the skills she needed to be successful in her dream job.

Assessing skills and interests

Confidence was pivotal for Lauren to find success as a radio presenter. It is a skill that is more easily suggested than attained and comes with a feeling of safety and stability. She wanted to bring that stability and confidence to her professional life.

“For many years, I thought about joining MyBudget.” She explained that her partner was not interested in joining at the time, but neither of them felt confident managing a budget. It all started with her discomfort with saving. “We both came from a different background where we didn’t have money growing up. So then when you did have it, you spent it.”

After moving around to follow her beginning radio opportunities, Lauren started feeling the stress around her finances. Living paycheck to paycheck in an entry-level job, she could feel herself comparing her situation to friends who had maintained the same career and therefore had an increased sense of security. Her decision to join MyBudget meant she could palm off the stress, leaving her with more energy and headspace to invest in her career.

Networking and seeking guidance from mentors

Throughout her journey, Lauren understood the value of networking and seeking guidance from experienced professionals. She actively engaged with the radio community, attended industry events, and connected with mentors who could offer advice and support.

These mentors shared their knowledge, provided valuable feedback, and helped her navigate the industry’s challenges. Their guidance proved instrumental in shaping her career and gave her the confidence to pursue her goals.

Education and training

Lauren’s journey started by looking into courses about radio presenting. It didn’t take long before she found a pathway to her career change, which was the perfect qualification to add to her new resume. Looking at your resume is a great place to start for those getting ready to switch careers or start from scratch. The first step is to update any transferable skills from your current role or career, then research career options in your dream career field.

Entry-level positions may be available without new qualifications, depending on your previous experience or learning journey. The perfect career may be only a few online courses away! Don’t forget to include life experience and transferable skills you already have. You could even consult with career coaches to uncover the steps you need to take for your career transition.

Preparing for job interviews

No matter where you are in your learning journey, preparing for interviews is a skill all job seekers should practise. If you feel nervous before an interview, you can alleviate the pressure by preparing beforehand. Preparation financially can also reduce the stress, which can mean getting all your ducks in a row financially before applying for roles.

Having some savings behind you or a current career you can fall back on in the meantime can make the interview feel less “make-or-break”. It can leave you with the reassurance that if you aren’t successful, at least you can still pay the bills while you continue looking. And if you are offered the role, you want to be in a position to be able to take it on, which means having the safety net for that transition and ensuring bills don’t run late.

Being patient and persistent

The career ladder may seem daunting for those looking to take the plunge into a new opportunity as entering a different career field can be difficult. Job seekers should assess their career options to ensure the change is feasible and worthwhile.

As mentioned above, it’s important to know where you sit financially so that you are prepared for that dreaded transition period. With MyBudget, you can financially prepare for the time off work to become a full-time student or explore other career choices to make sure you can support yourself during that time. For Lauren, believing in herself and focusing on her goal, no matter how difficult it felt, is how she landed her dream job.

Staying positive and flexible

Maintaining a positive mindset and embracing flexibility was essential to Lauren’s journey. She understood that the path to success would have its ups and downs, and it was crucial to stay optimistic and adapt to changing circumstances. Lauren remained flexible, whether it meant being open to new opportunities, adjusting her plans, or embracing unexpected challenges. This allowed her to navigate the twists and turns of her career and make the most of every situation.

“Career-wise, I just want to say the sky’s the limit and keep pushing and seeing what happens.” Lauren is planning a podcast to discuss the importance and impacts of emotions on our daily lives. For those embarking on a new career path, Lauren’s journey is inspiring to see how much can be achieved relatively quickly. Even when you have something to lose, giving it a shot can lead to places you never imagined ending up.

By researching different options, investing in education and training, seeking guidance from mentors, staying patient and persistent, and maintaining a positive and flexible mindset, overcoming obstacles and achieving success is possible. Changing your career path can feel destabilising, but with proper planning, it can be massively rewarding.

If you’re looking to go down the career changer path but are unsure whether you can make it work financially, a personalised budget may provide the clarity you need. To have a chat with our friendly staff, be sure to give us a call on 1300 300 922 or enquire online today.