Lisa Mitchell

Age at time of shift

36

Gender

Female

Education level

Graduate

Universities attended

Warwick

Shifted from

Marketing

Location

National advertising for Sainsbury's Supermarkets

Salary

£50,000-£75,000

Years in old career

12

Shifted to

Personal and Executive Coach

Location

Self-employed in Brighton

Salary

£0-£20,000

Years in new career

1.5

Year of shift

2005

What was your role in your old job?

I worked in Marketing for about 12 years in a variety of companies and roles. When I left London I was the Media Planning Manager within National Advertising for Sainsbury's Supermarkets.

What is/are your new role(s)?

My new role is as a coach. I work with organisations who want to have happier, more productive employees. I also work with individuals, both on a general level and around career change.

Why did you change?

I became disillusioned with marketing and wanted to do something more meaningful.

Are you happy with the change?

Overall yes, although I miss the money!

What do you miss and what don't you miss?

I miss the money, the social aspects of working in an office and the security. However, I don't miss the beaurocracy of big companies, being in the rat race, being in London or my actual job.

How did you go about making the change?

I trained as a coach whilst still at my old job, so there was a transitional period, and then I took voluntary redundancy.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

Working at home on my own, which I found quite isolating. I also found the challenge of running my own business quite difficult - finances, setting up the company, computers breaking down etc.

What help did you get?

No official help - just support from friends and colleagues. Would have liked some help though!

What have you learnt in the process?

It would have helped to have a more concrete plan of how i was going to get clients before I left. I was very vague about the logistics of running a business, and that I need to surround myself with like minded people and make sure I have enough social interaction

What do you wish you'd done differently?

See above.

What would you advise others to do in the same situation?

Have a transition, ideally between one career and the next. Have some support - coach or mentor - and surround yourself with successful people, not those who emphasise your fears. Really think about how you are going to get clients/sales - most people are good at what they do, but not so good at sales generation.