Welcome to the Finding Your Direction podcast with your host Emma Lynch
This podcast is for people who are on a career transition journey. We have some amazing...
Navigating career change: from climbing ladders to finding work that brings joy with Andrew Clohessy
In this episode of Finding Your Direction, Emma speaks with Andrew Clohessy, who shares his extensive and transformative career journey.
Andrew recounts his humble beginnings in Limerick, his rapid rise in the electronics manufacturing industry, and his subsequent shift to people-focused roles.
He details the challenges and lessons learned from global project management, including the impact of extensive travel on family life, his bout with burnout, and eventual transition to consulting.
Andrew emphasizes the importance of balance, self-care, and the value of meaningful work. He also shares his reflections on leadership, career evolution, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment which provide profound insights for listeners navigating their own career paths.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:18 Andrew's Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:03 Transition to Leadership and Career Growth
06:04 Challenges and Realizations
09:18 Career Shift and Consulting
20:08 Reflections and Future Directions
32:36 Advice and Closing Remarks
Things that you will learn more about in this episode:
- The importance of reflection in career development.
- How to navigate career transitions and find your true path.
- How to balance professional ambitions with personal well-being.
- How to overcome career burnout.
- How to transition from multinationals to the SME sector.
- Finding joy and meaning in work.
- The power of pausing during your career journey.
Connect with Andrew Clohessy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-clohessy/
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter here
Book a short chemistry call to find out more here
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29:14
Overcoming an unexpected career change due to injury: Dr. Áine O'Dea's Journey
In this episode of Finding Your Direction, Emma welcomes Dr. Áine O'Dea, who shares her dynamic career journey from being an occupational therapist in the UK and Ireland, focusing on mental and children's health, to facing a life-changing car accident.
Áine discusses the impact of her injury, her struggle with chronic pain and fatigue, and how she pivoted to a new role. She recounts her decision to pursue a master's and PhD, the challenges during COVID-19, her venture into academia, and finally establishing a business offering clinical supervision and training for health professionals and coaching.
Áine's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of career adversity.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:15 Áine's Career Journey in Occupational Therapy
02:34 A Major Career Shift Due to an Accident
04:05 Coping with Career-Ending Injury
07:03 Pursuing Further Education and New Opportunities
12:52 Starting a Business and Adapting to COVID-19
16:23 Advice for Career Transitions
19:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Things that you will learn more about in this episode:
1) How to identify alternative career options when something out of your control forces a change.
2) The challenge of separating your identity from your career.
3) The importance of the first step in career change, even when you are not sure of the end goal.
4) The importance of resilience in career change.
5) What to do if you have invested time and money in studying for a qualification and you realise that is not what you want to do.
6) How you can use a PHD outside of academia.
Connect with Dr Aine O'Dea
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/draineodea/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.aineodea/
Website: https://radianceconsultinghub.com/
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter here
Book a short chemistry call to find out more here
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18:14
Creating legacies: An Inspiring career conversation with Jennifer McConnell
In this episode, host Emma interviews Jennifer McConnell, who shares her diverse and extensive career journey. Originating from HR and secretarial roles.
Jennifer's career spans various industries, including film, PR, and business network management. Her roles took her across the globe, managing HR in sectors as diverse as telecoms in the Caribbean and nonprofit community work in Papua New Guinea.
Jennifer discusses the importance of career transitions, succession planning, and the insights she's gained from working in high-pressure global environments, and how she combines the knowledge from her studies in HR and anthropology.
She also highlights her new venture, Living Legacy, which focuses on helping individuals and organizations with succession planning, end-of-life plans, and creating meaningful legacies.
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Jennifer McConnell
00:13 Jennifer's Early Career and Education
01:09 Diverse Industry Experiences
02:33 Challenges and Redundancies
04:50 International Adventures and HR Roles
09:02 Burnout and Career Break
09:47 Return to Education and Nonprofit Work
35:02 Living Legacy and Future Plans
43:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Things that you will learn more about in this episode:
1) Knowing when its time to make a change in your career.
2) Taking the time to step back and think about the legacy that you want to create in the world.
3) How trying out or prototyping your career can support a career change.
4) Ideas for approaching career change.
5) The different resources that can support career change.
Connect with Jennifer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcconnell/
https://www.livinglegacy.ie/
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter here
Book a short chemistry call to find out more here
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39:53
Barry Loftus: From Pharmaceutical Sales to Fitness Entrepreneur and Published Author
In this episode of Finding Your Direction, we welcome Barry Loftus as he shares his inspiring career journey.
Barry begins by sharing his early role in pharmaceutical sales which he found himself struggling in this type of environment during the economic downturn in 2007-2008.
He discusses his struggles with job satisfaction, anxiety, and how the anxiety led to a loss of confidence and the resulting impact when he tried to change organisations on his performance in job interviews.
A pivotal moment comes when Barry's father introduces him to an NLP coach, which leads to improved interview performance and also ultimately towards negotiating a redundancy package from a job that was no longer for him.
Barry then finds himself pivoting his career, fueled by a rekindled love for sports and fitness, starting his fitness business in Mayo.
Despite early financial struggles, Barry's perseverance and desire to continue learning and developing helped him to succeed in the challenging times.
Finally Barry shares his unexpected path to becoming a published author, using writing as a coping mechanism and eventually publishing a book.
Barry emphasizes the importance of support from friends and family and the value of seeking help in overcoming personal and professional challenges.
00:00 Introduction to Barry Loftus
00:14 Barry's Early Career Journey
01:07 Challenges and Turning Points
05:28 A New Direction: Fitness and Personal Growth
07:51 Building a Business from Scratch
17:07 The Writing Journey
22:38 Reflections and Advice
25:29 Support Systems and Final Thoughts
Things that you will learn more about in this episode:
1) How to change careers when you are feeling really stuck.
2) Tools for helping rebuild confidence.
3) How to manage anxiety during career change.
4) How to pivot your career.
5) How to build a portfolio career that includes writing.
Connect with Barry:
https://www.instagram.com/strandfitness.ie/
https://www.strandfitness.ie/
Read Barry’s book: Baby Dara and the Sahara
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter here
Book a short chemistry call to find out more here
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25:52
Liam O’Flaherty’s career leap from Electrical Apprentice to AI Entrepreneur
In this episode, Liam O'Flaherty shares his inspiring journey from pursuing an electrical apprenticeship to diving into the world of AI and starting his own company, Prellis.
Liam discusses his initial lack of interest in college, the influence of his father, the moment he decided to pivot his career, and the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial path.
He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and asking for help, providing valuable advice for anyone considering a major career change.
00:16 Liam's Early Career Journey
02:00 Discovering AI and a big career change at 19
03:59 Starting the AI Business
07:38 Upskilling and Continuous Learning
12:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
15:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Things that you will learn more about in this episode:
1) How to make the decision to change your career.
2) What practicalities are involved with changing your career.
3) How to upskill yourself to change career.
4) Who can support you if you want to change career.
Connect with Liam:
https://www.prellus.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamoflaherty0/
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Sign up to our bi-monthly newsletter here
Book a short chemistry call to find out more here
Welcome to the Finding Your Direction podcast with your host Emma Lynch
This podcast is for people who are on a career transition journey. We have some amazing guests lined up for this season
Make sure you hit the like and subscribe so you don't miss the first episode coming soon!
Helpful Links:
Instagram: @emmalynchcoaching
Website: www.emmalynchcoaching.com
Ireland