After being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tracey took redundancy and overcame her fears to make a brave and successful career change. This is her story…
Name
Tracey Kirk
Old Position
Customer service at Edinburgh airport
New Career
Consultant in the workplace proposition team at Phoenix Group
Can you tell us about your current role?
I am a consultant in the workplace proposition team at Phoenix Group. This involves developing and monitoring our pensions and retirement savings offer to make sure it is performing well for employers and their employees.
Where did your career path begin?
I was always interested in tourism and travel so after leaving school I completed a diploma in business in travel and tourism. I then began working at Edinburgh airport in a customer service role.
I enjoyed dealing face to face with customers but progressed into more of an operational role. After that, I took to the skies and became cabin crew. It was great fun but I missed having my feet on the ground.
I secured a part time position in a customer facing role with British Airways. Eight years later came my opportunity to get back in operations. I was there for 18 years and it allowed me to work part time, doing what I loved and giving me the flexibility to raise my family. As my family grew and became more independent, I progressed into management.
I took baby steps by taking courses to learn about my brand and identified my transferable skills.
What made you decide to move in a different direction?
Covid hit in 2020 and I was furloughed. Then my company went through a restructure, and I had to apply for my own job again. It didn’t feel right, so I decided to take redundancy.
How did you go about it?
I felt it would be a mammoth task however I took baby steps by taking courses to learn about my brand and identified my transferable skills. I spoke to family and friends to find out about their jobs and roles, updated on my CV, learned interview skills, and joined agencies. I listened to podcasts by motivational speakers like Simon Sinek which helped me to believe in myself.
How hard did you find to move into such a different role?
Taking the consultancy role was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my career: the language was different; the job was office-based whereas previously I was always mobile; and I was used to knowing my industry inside out whereas here I knew nothing and assumed everyone knew more than me which was a mistake.
The upskilling and preparation were the easy bit, understanding what would interest me took longer. I had to understand my brand, my values and what motivates me. The uncertainty and then the learning in the new industry was what I found terrifying. Could I do it, was I capable of learning a new job, would everyone think I was stupid?
The pandemic gave me the motivation to leave which might not otherwise have happened as I was comfortable despite always wondering what life outside aviation would be like.
What led to you getting your current role?
I joined Phoenix in an entry level operational role. As with aviation, I assumed this would be the best way to understand the company and the way it operates. Once in, I was soon recognised for my transferrable skills and secured a position as a team manager. I gained more knowledge and experience which helped me to secure my current position.
What transferable skills did you find that you had?
I realised that I have a huge enthusiasm for learning, the confidence to challenge, and the ability to solve problems. I also had many other transferable skills from previous roles such as stakeholder management, personable and organisational skills.
Were you nervous about making your career changes?
Extremely. I did not realise this at the time, but this was compounded by being perimenopausal. Some days, my nerves were out of control. I would worry I was not good enough or not doing a good job. The pandemic gave me the motivation to leave which might not otherwise have happened as I was comfortable despite always wondering what life outside aviation would be like.
Did you get any support or advice?
I was given a huge amount of support from a family member who works in the financial sector. This helped me identify my skills and gave me a direction for jobs. On joining the company, I had support from my team, my managers and mentors.
I also completed a course with New Skills Academy through an Itison deal which helped with the Microsoft office skills I didn’t have. By doing all this I began to better understand myself and align my values.
What would you say to other people who are thinking of making a change?
I would say to learn and understand your brand and understand what motivates you. Match your values with the values of the roles you are applying for. Treat barriers as challenges – I have been amazed by what I have achieved and overcome. Try not to fall for imposter syndrome – although it’s still something I struggle with – but it is important to try and have a can-do attitude.
