Claire Papoulis - A career transition story

When you look at how Claire completely - and what I say completely, I mean COMPLETELY - changed the trajectory of her career you will be amazed.

She not only took the steps she needed to take to transition her career (including study with a young family and recent relocation) she was completely engaged and involved throughout the entire process which opened up many more and different opportunities and avenues.

Tell me, what did you want to do at the very early stages of your career? What was your big career goals then?

When I first started working, I wanted to work my way to the top as fast as I could. My big career goal was to be in the boardroom making changes for companies as a whole and proving that I could be there with the best. I was highly competitive and driven to achieve and be the best at everything.

Can you tell me how you started your career and what you could see was your career trajectory?

My career was slow to start, I got my first sense of achievement when I was managing a printing business in Perth. It was the first opportunity where someone took a big risk bringing in a young woman with little experience into a leadership role. I saw my career trajectory as a franchise owner and have one of the highest achieving centres in Australia.

What are you doing now?

Now I am a Science/STEM in a primary school in the northern suburbs of Adelaide. Just saying that seems crazy but I’m living my best life.

Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to change your career direction? Or what made you decide to change your career?

We moved to Adelaide in 2014 and I worked at a job for 6 months and then was let go 5 minutes before my last shift ended on the last day of my probation. I was rocked to my core. I had never been dismissed from a role and it hurt... a lot. After floundering for a few months, I investigated going to university at starting my teaching degree. I sat the STAT exam and the rest is history so to speak.

Do you know it was what you wanted to do or did you have to do some exploring to find your passion?

I had always wanted to be a teacher but no one in my family had been to university so I, like many others, thought I was too old, and it was too late to try. I found out through my journey at university that I wasn’t too old and have a passion for learning.

Was there any key steps you took to help navigate you towards your new direction?

I spoke to lots of people, family, friends, the university and I did some courses to prepare me to sit the STAT exam. With no one I knew that had been to university I was taking a big step into the unknown, but I knew I didn’t want to regret trying.

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 feel fulfilled, after 27 years working, I am teaching and trying to inspire my students to push themselves to dream and connect the bright dots of their dreams with realities. I am currently undertaking a Masters by Research on my pathway to PhD. I am still competitive but now I channel that towards me rather than wanting to be better than others, I want to better myself and use my passion to help others.

My career goals now are to become an academic researcher. Affecting change in the classroom is amazing but if I can make that change on a larger scale, I can advocate for change the world at large.

What advice would you give someone who is deciding to move through a career transition?

Make a plan or plan to fail. Big transition takes time and you must be open to the process. Have someone who can help you make that plan, its ok not to know every step. Someone with the knowledge you don’t have and ask lots of questions. I made my career change late and I had to be comfortable with even with all my life experience I needed help.

Anything else you would like to share or mentioned that I may have not asked you?

I try to live every day as though it is my last and to do this, I have to be brave, be ok with failure and be ok to say, ‘Well done Claire, today you shone your light’.

This quote is everywhere around me now. Mae was the first African American woman astronaut in space and is an inspirational woman to all.

“Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it and make it the life you want to live.” - Mae Jemison

What a way to end. Love how open Claire was during this process in really honouring what it is she is truly called to do and also allowing herself to find what that is along the way. Thank you Claire x

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