Trial and Error: Owning My Non-linear Career Journey
Just six months working with Caroline completely changed my life.
I went from feeling trapped and burnt out working at what I originally thought was my dream job for a large company in tech to launching a fulfilling career in marketing and SEO, working on my own terms. The journey began when I found Caroline on YouTube. Her warmth, humor, and wisdom drew me in, and I knew I had to reach out to her.
Caroline has this amazing way of making space for growth. She helped me see and overcome the fears and self-criticisms that kept me stuck—like being afraid to ask for help, and worrying that I’m not enough of a “people-person” to network or have my own business.
With her support, and through journaling and other exercises, I was able to identify the qualities and skills that make me unique, and discover the things I’m really good at that I also enjoy and don’t leave me drained, two key elements that were REALLY lacking before! From there, I was able to come up with a concrete list of essential elements for my ideal career.
Our sessions were always full of laughter and felt part friendly catchup, part deep reflective conversation. Caroline is a fantastic listener and created a safe space where I could share my fears, brainstorm ideas, and celebrate every little win or lesson learned. This supportive environment was exactly what I needed to take ownership of my own flavor of wabi-sabi growth and change.
Switching careers wasn't a linear process for me; it involved a fair amount of good old trial and error. I’ve always dreamed of running a hotel and writing a novel, and it took a real commitment to these dreams to start taking concrete actions and learning.
I pursued opportunities in the hospitality industry and arranged to do some marketing for a local wedding venue in exchange for shadowing experience. Doing marketing for a small business gave me a new introduction to the field, which I hadn’t explored since college. During this time, I also picked up writing again and even completed a short story. I realized how much I enjoy interacting with clients and solving their problems.
As I combined my love for writing with the quantitative skills I had developed as a software engineer, marketing suddenly made perfect sense.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned to notice when I’m trying to be everything for everybody (a classic people-pleaser), and to remember to listen to myself.
This new understanding of my needs, what kind of work interests me, and who I want to work with, has been incredibly empowering. I've forged significant new connections and client relationships just by reaching out and staying persistent. Every project I take on energizes me, reinforcing my love for my work and for helping my clients.
Looking back, Caroline didn’t just coach me—she helped me take ownership of my career and life. Thanks to her, I've not only found a career I love but I've also learned to trust my instincts and advocate for myself in ways I never thought possible.
— Sam, Marketing Strategist at CozyRank