Career Transition Story - Kathy Wooller
Kathy Wooller is the Chief Evolving Officer of Evolve Pro Australia. She is a lifelong learner, a volunteer, a mum, a wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She loves exploring places and opportunities. She loves supporting local business in the Adelaide Hills and sharing food and wine with loved ones. This is illustrated throughout her story…
Tell me, what did you want to do at the very early stages of your career? What was your big career goals then?
Right at the very beginning, I was exploring the possibility of opening my own event and function space. I was even a finalist for a statewide competition for my business idea the “Turnstyle”. I definitely didn’t think I would go through 5 career transitions in the next 20 years of my career journey.
Can you tell me how you started your career and what you could see was your career trajectory?
I still remember when I was in year twelve, having my future career laid out for me by a well-meaning career adviser (including having a career I could easily “give up”). I remember the response from my parents when they were asked to speak with me about it and they said, “it’s her journey, not ours”.
I spent the first 5 years of my career studying and working in hospitality management. I still love hosting over food and drinks and the skills learnt including food presentation, styling, drinks service and customer experience have stuck with me.
Honestly, I wasn’t really focussed on a career trajectory in my late teens and early 20s as I was studying full time and working weekends, meeting my now husband and having fun with my friends after moving from country SA to Adelaide.
What are you doing now?
I have my own business but in Adult Learning and Education. I am in the second year of operation and thankful I have been able to fulfill the dream of having my own business. 20 years later than I planned but a lot more ready than I was when I in my late teens and early 20s.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to change your career direction? Or what made you decide to change your career?
So, I worked out I have had 5 career transitions so far in my career.
Career Transition 1: Hospitality to Business Administration (2001)
After studying and working in hospitality for 5 years and participating as a finalist to start my own business I was intrigued by business and was not ready to let go of a dream to have my own business.
Career Transition 2: Business Administration to Higher Education (2006)
I experienced different industries and sectors to develop my business acumen and pursued experience further in a variety of industries and sectors. The skills and knowledge I learnt during this time were invaluable. I loved being surrounded by learning and knew I needed to apply this to my own learning journey and immersing myself in higher education was a natural progression.
Career Transition 3: Higher Education to Human Resources (2009)
I had the opportunity to transition into a Human Resources role while working for a higher education provider in Melbourne. I continued study and developing a career in Human Resources Management over a period of 5 years mainly in Organisational Development, Learning and Development and then generalist Human Resources roles.
Career Transition 4: Human Resources to Parenthood (2014)
In June 2014, I commenced a life changing career defining opportunity when I became a Mumma. This included experience in health and wellbeing, finance, communications, project management, learning & development, transport & logistics, safety and hospitality. It involved a customised hands-on approach that changed rapidly. Whilst I had 9 months of preparation, there was a limited induction program so I utilised the knowledge, advice and support of peer mentors and professional/volunteer support groups. I love being a Mum as I learn something new every day! The main lessons I have learnt are to pay attention to the moments and treasure the gift of a small hand holding mine or snuggling in for a cuddle, comfort and support. It is what grounds me.
Career Transition 5: Parenthood to Adult Learning & Education (2016)
In 2016, I finally had a breakthrough on my desire to return to work and took up the opportunity to lead a team within an Adult Education & Training provider. This opportunity combined all the elements of my career to date and I got a taste of what it was like to have a physical business to operate.
I had completed several accredited training qualifications in human resources and adult education & training but had yet to achieve my goal to complete a degree. I had been considering doing a degree throughout my adult life but wanted to study a degree that I genuinely cared about so waited until I was ready.
In 2017, I commenced a dual stream undergraduate degree that at the time felt would underpin my experience to date and set me up for the future. Unfortunately, it was more aligned to what I thought was expected by others to achieve career success.
Then in 2018 life happened, we found out that our family was expanding again!
Although I was able to progress my study, I then had to take two semesters off. Firstly, due to the birth of our son and then again as he was a cuddle bug who wanted to be held constantly for daytime naps. I needed to refocus on my purpose.
Career Transition 5: Adult Learning and Education to business ownership (2019)
At the beginning of 2019, I made the decision to take a corporate career break to explore the entrepreneurial part of my career journey. My focus in the first year of operation was to build reputation, meet my expenses and hopefully turn a profit. I am proud to say I achieved all 3 of these goals! I completed a business accelerator program and ceased a double stream degree for a single stream degree. This occurred as I wanted my undergraduate degree to be aligned to my purpose and that I needed to review my capacity to achieve the outcomes.
Did you know it was what you wanted to do or did you have to do some exploring to find your passion?
I have always had a preference for exploring opportunities but it wasn’t until after I had my first child in 2014 and went to return to work in 2015 that I went on a journey to discover my career purpose and realized that the trajectory I was on was misaligned.
Seeking support from trusted advisors and mind mapping helped me to articulate that “evolving people” was my career purpose. I paid attention to the moments in my career when I was at my happiest and it was when I was in a learning environment.
Were there any key steps you took to help navigate you towards your new direction?
Having fabulous mentors and coaches for each career transition was a key step over the last 20 years. Seeking advice on what was needed to successfully navigate each career transition has also been crucial.
Becoming a parent in 2014 was a catalyst for change as I no longer had the capacity to do things that did not align to my career purpose. I needed to act on my future career plans and focus my time and attention. This was made even more crucial with the birth of our son in 2018.
Finding a community to support my business journey, completing further study and planning for success and applying a lifelong learning approach to every action I take are also key steps.
What has changed for you since transitioning your career (feelings, well-being, life in general) - and what do you see yourself doing for the next 5 years / career goals now?
I have evolved rapidly, and developed soft skills, knowledge and experience that have been invaluable during each of my 5 career transitions to date. Excluding any major life altering challenges that may occur, I plan to continue my career as a business owner and complete my degree in the next 2 years. I am at the young family stage of life and continuing to pursue my lifelong learning and career goals, earning income, and contributing to my super are important to me.
As a self-motivated learner, I am determined to achieve my undergraduate degree. The challenge and knowledge gained from the experience is valuable to my clients, our family’s future and for me as I evolve on my unique journey.
What advice would you give someone who is deciding to move through a career transition?
To prepare for a constantly evolving career journey at the beginning of your career, evolve with it as you face decisions, opportunities and challenges and have people you trust to support and guide you.
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What an incredible career transition x5! I am sure you will agree, Kathy’s story was so interesting and they it unfolded to land her where she is today.
If you would like to connect with Kathy jump over to her website - https://www.evolvepro.com.au/ , insta HERE , Facebook HERE or LinkedIn HERE