Lisa Mitchell's ShiftSurgery

Your career problems answered by the professionals.

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German teacher looking for new career to suit personality and needs

Careershifter question

By Anonymous

I am 48, female, Austrian national permanently living in this country, divorced, youngest son due to leave home in 7 months - so only myself to worry about. I would like a career change but am not sure which way to go; I would like to identify a career path suited to my personality/needs and be clear what steps to take to retrain. I would like to help/support/motivate people to make changes in their lives/manage their lives.

ShiftDoctor answer

By Lisa Mitchell

What I suggest is that you really start being curious about what this new career might be like. If you were a detective trying to find an answer to this riddle where would you look? Then start to really think about the impact you want to make in the world. What do you really want your life to have been about? You say you want to help people make changes in their lives - for the purpose of what?...

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I'm very scared of moving away from what I know even though it makes me unhappy

Careershifter question

By Anonymous

I have worked as a mental health nurse for the past twenty years. Been off on long-term sick with stress and depression. I don't want to work in health or social care anymore, but I feel a bit institutionalised and find it hard to imagine working successfully outside of what I know so well.

ShiftDoctor answer

By Lisa Mitchell

When you have been off sick and have been stressed the brain really shuts down in terms of considering possibilities and so I'm not surprised that you feel stuck right now. What I have tried to suggest are ways to reconnect to what brings you pleasure and what your talents are. These will be the first signposts to your future career.

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What can I do with media, marketing and PR experience?

Careershifter question

By Anonymous

I think I want to work in a fun, buzzy environment but am not sure what kind of industry or product I really feel interested in.

ShiftDoctor answer

By Lisa Mitchell

My main impression from your question is that there is a lack of passion for what you do;something missing in the jobs you have done to date.

I suggest the first thing you do is really think about your passions and what interests you. You are looking for interests and passions that really get your pulse racing...

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Going out of fashion

Careershifter question

By Anonymous

I know the company I work for very well, I know the people, I am on a good salary and it seems silly to give up all this away and step into the unknown. However, my personal life and preferences have changed. I am not happy where I am anymore...

ShiftDoctor answer

By Lisa Mitchell

You say that your personal life and preferences have changed and this is where I am focusing in giving you some advice to move forward...you need to start to look at what you want in your life overall before you really start to focus on your career.

Read full case file



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What people are saying about Careershifters

"The Careershifters workshop started me on the path to changing from the Practice Manager of a GP Practice to Community Engagement work that meets the needs I identified at the workshop."

Diane Cassidy

"Careershifters helped me realise that there were many small steps I could take towards improving my job satisfaction. Gaining greater focus has given me a renewed enthusiasm for my work, giving me the confidence to negotiate a one year sabbatical."



Cath Rooney

"I had a career in sales and now I run my own sales training company.  The Careershifters workshop gave me the motivation to get on and do things, as well as some good direction with regards to the sort of activities I needed to put in place."

Matt Hayden

"For 17 years I worked in the travel industry. In the period of unemployment and after attending the Careershifters workshop I retrained and am now employed as a trainer and coach. I'd recommend the workshop to anyone who may not know what they want to do."

Paul Kensett

“Thanks to Careershifters I'm shifting my career! Have been thinking for a while about the direction I'm going in and after looking at your website and reading some of the advice I realised that I've got to go for it.”

Justine

"The Careershifters workshop helped me realise that it’s never too late to change your career, that these advances take time and, I am confident that if I stick with my ‘plan’ I won’t make another wrong career move."

Claire Coveney

"This website has been a lifesaver for me over the past year!"

Lindsey

“As of yesterday, I officially have a new career and start my new and exciting role next week! So a massive THANK YOU to all of you at Careershifters for your support. You really do deserve every success in what you're doing.”

Liz

“After attending a Careershifters workshop I had the energy and drive to start researching how to get into teaching. I applied for a course, had an interview, got a place and left my old job in less than a week. It was so easy when I finally decided to go for it.”

Nikki

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