Ep. #4: When Your 'Perfect On Paper' Job Isn't Perfect in Real Life, and Embracing Your Ambition with Sarah W.
In this episode, I interview Sarah W., the VP of Supply Chain and Project Management at biotech company Immunomedics. Sarah tells us how she left her “perfect on paper” lifestyle job to essentially restart her career in an industry she had always wanted to be in, but also one in which she had no prior experience.
Her decision mystified family and friends who kept telling her how good she had it.
But as she entered her mid-30s with two kids, she knew the time to change was NOW. It didn't matter how comfortable her job was. It didn't fulfill her own professional ambitions.
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Sarah shares how embracing her own ambition led her to her new career and being the happiest she's ever been.
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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
The turning point that made Sarah decide to leave her comfortable “lifestyle” job that was perfect on paper, but not in real life.
How a childhood passion was the underlying force that drove her to pursue a career in an entirely new industry.
Her two-year journey looking for a new job, and how she rose to VP at Immunomedics, who due in large part to her efforts, just received FDA approval for a rare breast cancer drug.
What it was like to go from a flexible 'lifestyle' job to sleeping at her office (hint: she had never been happier).
How she balanced the rest of her life with her long work hours.
How gratitude helped her restart her career at the proverbial “bottom” just so she could get in the door.
Her friends were mystified that she left her “perfect on paper” job...but Sarah had never been so miserable.
Sarah had to embrace her ambition and recognize it was a part of her. Instead of feeling like she had to be grateful for a career that didn’t fully satisfy her.
How she said yes to any opportunity on her two-year long path looking for a new position.
Deciding to stay at her job and then leave on her own terms, instead of leaving because of hurt feelings.
How looking at her old high-school report cards was a way of helping herself remember who she was and what she was capable of (this is golden!)
Even though she had no professional experience in biotech, how she leveraged her natural skills to help her add value and succeed.
Her advice for someone who has experienced a career set back or failure - Say ‘yes’ and be open.
How doing work she loves to do - even work that takes a lot of time - has impacted her family and her kids
Mentioned in this episode
Connect with Sarah via LinkedIn.
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About Me
Catherine Ferguson is a Life Coach for working moms. She helps high-achieving, high-vibe women create careers they truly care about, using simple concepts and tools she explores on her podcast and in her personalized coaching program.
She believes that doing work you love as a mother doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming, and that there are simple shifts you can make right now to help you move closer to your dream career by applying universal principles that you’re probably already teaching your children. She is the host of the One Badass (Working) Mother podcast and a mom of two cute but psycho kids.