Career Change: The Questions You Need to Ask Yourself Now | Laura Sheehan | TEDxHanoi

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares her journey from a small-town lawyer to a global motivator and advocate. She discusses the challenges of being a trailing spouse and the importance of embracing change, shedding traditional career titles, and making meaningful connections. Her story highlights the value of adaptability and the power of reinventing oneself to find success in various roles across different countries.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The speaker is skilled at conversation and enjoys asking people about their life journeys.
• 🌟 She grew up in Ohio and only got her first passport at 18, reflecting a sheltered early life.
• 💍 Meeting her husband expanded her world, leading to a life of international travel and adventure.
• 🎓 Despite her law degree and aspirations, she faced challenges finding meaningful work abroad.
• 📬 A humorous encounter in an elevator highlighted the potential for her career to take unexpected turns.
• 🤔 She grappled with the question of whether she sacrificed her career for her husband's job.
• 🌍 Her experiences in various countries showed her that success can be found in diverse roles.
• 🔄 The speaker emphasizes the importance of being open to change and embracing a portfolio career.
• 📚 She suggests that successful careers are built on a set of adaptable skills rather than a single job title.
• 💬 Making meaningful connections is crucial for career success, as most jobs are filled through personal networks.
• 📈 The speaker's journey illustrates that success can be redefined and found in every place, even when it doesn't align with initial career plans.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial profession?

The speaker was initially a lawyer.

How did the speaker's life change after meeting her husband?

After meeting her husband, who was a diplomat, the speaker's life changed as she began traveling and living in different countries.

What was the speaker's dilemma when her husband got a job overseas?

The speaker was torn between pursuing a life of travel and adventure or continuing her established career as a lawyer.

What was the speaker's realization about her career in the elevator?

The speaker realized that she might have to take a job that didn't align with her career aspirations, like working in the mailroom.

How did the speaker feel about her job prospects in a new country?

The speaker felt sad, angry, and resentful, as she questioned whether she had sacrificed her career for her husband's job.

What did the speaker learn from her experiences in different countries?

The speaker learned that she had been doing the same things all the time, such as writing, speaking, and advocating, and that these skills were her strength.

What was the speaker's advice for finding success anywhere?

The speaker advised being open to change, embracing experiences rather than titles, and making meaningful connections.

According to the speaker, how many careers does the average person have?

The speaker mentioned that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated an average of 12 to 15 careers per person.

What percentage of jobs are filled through personal connections?

The speaker stated that 85% of jobs are still filled by word of mouth or personal connections.

What were the two questions the speaker loved to ask new people?

The speaker loved to ask, 'How did you come to be here?' and 'If you could do anything, what would it be?'