Six years ago, I qualified as a midwife. I soon after found myself feeling unfulfilled due to the constraints of the system I was working within. This led to anxiety, burn out and eventually, I decided to leave Midwifery. This was an extremely difficult decision and I worried about how others would perceive me. My search for an alternative career was challenging, often met with rejections due to my midwifery background. Many couldn't understand why a midwife would want to move into a different role or sector.
Determined to find a new career, I enrolled in a Psychology conversion master's program. During my studies, I started working in a research role and later became a research assistant. These roles allowed me to reflect on the many transferable skills I had gained over the previous years, including: prioritisation, organisation, time management, communication, problem solving, empathy and interpersonal skills.
With these transferable skills in mind, I reignited my search for a new career path. I came across an opportunity for a PA/Office Manager position at a company whose ethos I strongly admired. Despite lacking PA experience, I was eager to demonstrate how my skills could be an asset, and I got the job! I was so excited to contribute and make a difference in a new way.
The first year in my new role was a significant learning curve. I had to rebuild trust in myself and others after years of feeling psychologically unsafe and unhappy at work. I also had to relearn thought processes and reflect on behaviours that previously impacted me, whilst applying all of my transferable skills to a new, dynamic environment. However, feeling that I could now thrive within my work environment, I grew, becoming so much more confident in myself and my abilities. Now, in my second PA role within a completely different sector, every day is truly an exciting challenge!
Throughout this journey, reflecting on my skills and experiences has helped me understand my strengths and areas for improvement. I have learned to embrace challenges, view failures as learning opportunities, and persist despite obstacles. Ultimately, through adapting my transferable skills to a new environment, I have been able to adapt to a new career and thrive in my PA roles!
Employers and HR professionals, recognising the value of transferable skills in candidates may have the potential to unlock benefits for your organisation:
- Diverse Perspectives: Candidates from varying professional backgrounds could bring unique viewpoints to your workplace, due to different life experiences. This could foster further creativity and enhance problem-solving within your team!
- Adaptability: Candidates with strong transferable skills may be more adaptable to change and therefore navigate various challenges with a versatile perspective.
- Future-Ready Workforce: By appreciating and cultivating a candidate or employee's transferable skills, your workplace could have additional potential to build a flexible and future-ready workforce capable of responding to evolving industry demands!
Candidates with a strong desire to grow, develop, and learn can be invaluable to your organisation. Reflecting on my journey from Midwifery to a PA role, I am reminded of the incredible value of transferable skills and the personal growth I have experienced over the last year. Changing careers into the PA/EA world has not been without its challenges, but it has led to fulfilment and empowerment!
Recognising and leveraging my transferable skills ultimately allowed me to navigate this last year successfully and find a profession where I feel autonomous, passionate, and truly excited for the future.
To those considering a role change, remember that your unique skills and experiences are valuable assets. Embrace the journey, seek support, and never underestimate the positive impact you can have!
