When Lisa Maynard-Atem made the decision to switch careers, nothing could stand in her way.
According to recent research, nearly 60% of British employees are unhappy with their job. Lisa was was one of them until a family illness prompted her to change direction.
In March 2003, she joined a lighting company as a marketing assistant. The work involved organising photo shoots for products, designing the company catalogue and briefing external designers. At first she thrived on it, but gradually the job became monotonous.
Lisa’s unhappiness was compounded by the fact that she had recently moved to a new town where she knew few people, apart from her boyfriend. She had left behind the support of family and friends and was living in a town with few people of ethnic origin.
There were times when she thought about giving up and moving back to Manchester, but she realised running away wasn’t the answer. The root of her unhappiness stemmed from her career. It was time to make a change.
“Stuart and I had recently purchased a house, so the prospect of taking a pay cut was daunting,” Lisa remembers. “But when I confided my fears to him, something he said gave me the push I needed. He said: ”There are some things in life that matter more than money, and happiness is one of them.”
“Around the same time, my mother fell ill and was rushed to hospital. The Doctor told us she would have died had we not arrived when we did. “There are still so many things I want to do with my life,” my mother told me, “and I’m frightened I won’t get the chance.”
That was the wake up call Lisa needed. She had always been into fashion and harboured dreams about working in the industry. Every year, she helps out with a fashion show at her sister’s school, styling models and arranging props. Until recently, she volunteered at a local fashion store, co-ordinating window displays and giving customers fashion tips. She is a regular subscriber to fashion magazines and has studied fashion history in her spare time.
“The areas that excite me most are fashion styling and journalism, so I decided to concentrate on those. I sent my CV to prospective employers, posted messages on websites and volunteered my services to photographers and agencies, highlighting my skills. Then I waited. Part of me was scared, but I’d had a glimpse of a more exciting life and the pull was irresistible. And any doubts I had were eliminated when the replies came flooding in.”
First, a woman from a modelling agency rang to say how impressed she was with Lisa’s CV. Despite not being able to offer her work, the lady’s reaction convinced Lisa that she was heading in the right direction. Then a lifestyle management company approached with an offer too good to refuse – free career coaching for as long as it took to become established.
“Not long after that, a fashion designer from London got in touch to discuss the possibility of me joining her in an exciting new business venture,” Lisa smiles. “Next week, I’m styling a model for my first fashion shoot and taking up a full-time retail post at Harvey Nichols.”
“I’ve made a tremendous amout of progress in two months. Now I’m setting up as a freelance stylist, writing for fashion magazines and working for a fashion house. My advice to anyone with a burning ambition is to go for it – far better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all.”
TIPS FOR CHANGE
- Unleash your dreams. Focus on the one that excites you the most.
- Talking to someone about it will make it more of a reality.
- Research what you need to do and who you need to contact to make your dream happen.
- Follow your heart. It will help you make the right choices.
- Network, network, network! Concentrate on building contacts.
- Say yes to unexpected opportunities.
- Be prepared to make sacrifices, such as taking a pay cut.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
When it comes to interviews, be sure you dress appropriately. Aesthetics is important in the fashion industry, so it’s imperative to look your best. Follow Lisa’s tips for creating the right impression.
- Dress in a manner that’s appropriate for the job that you’re applying for.
- Co-ordinated separates look fresher than a standard suit, but make sure your outfit is respectful.
- Carry your style with confidence.
USEFUL CONTACTS
- www.everywoman.co.uk is a business website for women with excellent networking opportunities.
- www.vogue.co.uk is Vogue magazine’s website, which has lots of information on fashion trends and a good jobs section.
- www.fashioncapital.co.uk is a great resource for contacts, with lots of advice on getting into the industry.
- www.the-aop.org is a useful jobs board with details of local photographers.
- www.fashionunited.com is a great website for researching fashion trends, with advice on getting work.
- www.workthing.com has a database of career counsellors and training programmes.
This article was published in Black Beauty & Hair magazine.
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