I am proud as punch to be able to kick off the first Career Journey with one of my favourite Copywriters. She truly is an inspiring parent and has helped me enormously with my business. You may not know, but she is THE copywriter that sprinkled her magic on this very website when it was redeveloped a few years ago. So, if you have read this page, or this page, it’s the product of her ability to convert conversation into copy! It was several years after meeting Gayle that I heard about her career journey during a networking event. If you are currently at a career crossroad, maybe looking to change or reeling from redundancy, then this is the article for you!
Over to you, Gayle Edwards from GECopywiter.To me, having a career to enjoy means waking up in the morning and not dreading going to work, to fit it in around family and be able to go to the nativity or be the taxi for the teen, and to know that when I have done a job for a client they feel they got a great deal and brilliant piece of work.
I did a degree in English, which involved modules in creative writing and journalism, but then sidestepped into 14 years in online banking, where I learnt about the importance of customers service, communication and training materials that really engage. I’ve done more specific courses post-banking in websites and online writing too and I’m currently doing a course on editing, as I don’t think you should ever stop learning and developing, because it helps you think, stops you becoming stale and keeps the brain active, particularly when you work alone.
Over to you, Gayle Edwards from GECopywiter.To me, having a career to enjoy means waking up in the morning and not dreading going to work, to fit it in around family and be able to go to the nativity or be the taxi for the teen, and to know that when I have done a job for a client they feel they got a great deal and brilliant piece of work.
I did a degree in English, which involved modules in creative writing and journalism, but then sidestepped into 14 years in online banking, where I learnt about the importance of customers service, communication and training materials that really engage. I’ve done more specific courses post-banking in websites and online writing too and I’m currently doing a course on editing, as I don’t think you should ever stop learning and developing, because it helps you think, stops you becoming stale and keeps the brain active, particularly when you work alone.
The catalyst to move into Copywriting would have been being made redundant, but the reason I completely changed direction was that no other roles similar to before were available locally, and I put the kids before the city income. However, this was not my career plan -to be honest I didn’t have one. I do this because I love words, and I love helping people make sense of what they are trying to explain. It’s all about improving communication.
One of the biggest challenges is self-motivation when working alone. However, there are other too! Pricing, self-confidence and believing that you can do it, learning to write quotes, meet strangers . . . there’s a whole lot of new things to learn when you work for yourself. I do a lot of networking which has given me a company, confidence, understanding of business issues – and to begin with I contacted other copywriters and asked if they would be willing to talk to me.
I think the greatest surprise, looking back, is how being made redundant knocked my confidence in myself badly, and how shy I am still at walking into a room of people I don’t know, after spending so long in the bank running meetings!
If I could speak to a younger version of myself, I would say “Get some careers advice”. If anyone had spoken to me about what I wanted to do, what I was good at, how to get into a career I wanted, my entire life would have run a different course.
This shows that understanding what you like to do, what you are good at and what people need, can help launch into a career you really enjoy!Do your, or someone you know, have a career story that needs sharing? Fill in this link to inspire others! If you want to join others, looking to create a career to enjoy, then come along to the Facebook group Creating Careers to Enjoy.
Clara Wilcox is a straight-talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance. Isn’t it time you had a career to enjoy, not endure? Talk to me NOW about how I can help.
Clara Wilcox is a straight talking, practical and experienced coach helping clients navigate the tricky waters of returning to work, career changes and professional development. The Balance Collective is a social enterprise focused on improving the lives of parents, by working together to build inner confidence and promote a healthy work/life balance.
