Helping Students Come Alive in their Careers

Excited to share the latest in our career transformation stories series.

Today, we’re diving into Barbara Ellen Leicht's inspiring journey from classroom teacher to career coach, both in-house at a university, and through her own private practice. It offers a roadmap for anyone seeking more fulfilling work. Her story is filled with unexpected twists, moments of self-doubt, and ultimately, profound personal growth.

Let's dive into the key lessons from Barbara's transformative journey and discover how you can apply them to your own life and career.

1. Listen to Your Inner Whispers

Barbara's pivotal moment came when she realized she could be a "former teacher, forever educator." This shift in perspective opened up new possibilities and guided her career transitions. Pay attention to those quiet nudges pushing you towards activities you'd do for free. They often reveal your true passions and potential career paths. Ask yourself: What work energizes you so much that you'd do it without compensation?

1. Embrace What Makes You Come Alive

Understanding her Sparketype (Advisor primary, Advocate secondary) helped Barbara align her work with her innate motivations. She leveraged her natural abilities to guide others and champion causes across various roles. Take time to identify your core drivers and how they manifest in different contexts. This self-awareness can illuminate unexpected career opportunities that play to your natural talents.

1. Create a Compelling Career Narrative

Barbara emphasizes the power of crafting your own "hero story" when reflecting on your career journey. Even if certain moves felt unplanned, look for the threads that connect your experiences. This reframing exercise helps you recognize your growth, celebrate your successes, and articulate your unique value proposition. Challenge yourself to write a brief career story that highlights how each step contributed to your professional evolution.

1. Balance Purpose and Practicality

Barbara's current blend of higher education work and private coaching demonstrates how to pursue meaningful work while meeting practical needs. She found a way to serve under-resourced populations without sacrificing financial stability. Consider how you might create a career "portfolio" that satisfies both your desire for impact and your need for security. Could you combine roles or find creative ways to serve your target audience?

1. Network Your Way to New Opportunities

Many of Barbara's pivots resulted from strategic networking. She proactively sought out volunteer opportunities and connected with professionals in fields that interested her. Make relationship-building a priority in your career development. Attend industry events, reach out to people whose work you admire, and be open about your interests and goals. You never know which connection might lead to your next exciting opportunity.

Barbara's story illustrates that career fulfillment often emerges through a series of intentional pivots guided by self-awareness and a willingness to explore. To dive deeper into Barbara's insights and gain more practical career development strategies, I encourage you to listen to the full podcast episode. Your own journey of career transformation may be just beginning!

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Lead with Insight: The Strategic Advantage of Effective Questioning: Have you ever wondered how the right questions can unlock strategic success? What if the secret to better decision-making lies not in the answers, but in the questions you pose? Dive into the transformative power of inquiry with "The Art of Asking Smarter Questions." This insightful article presents a compelling framework of five essential question types that promise to enhance your strategic thinking. Learn how investigative, speculative, productive, interpretive, and subjective questions can uncover hidden insights, foster creativity, and drive effective solutions. Are you ready to harness the full potential of your professional curiosity and lead with confidence.

Share Your Inspiring Career Transformation on the SPARKED Podcast! Do you want to share YOUR story? We’re looking for inspiring career change and personal growth stories. From leaving behind unfulfilling jobs to pursuing new, more inspired, energizing, purposeful and passionate paths, we’re looking for people who’ve made the decision to spark change in their work lives. This could range from stories of people who’ve reimagined the way they do the same job so it feels better, to those starting in entirely different roles, companies, industries, or even launching their own endeavors. To share your story, CLICK HERE to apply to be a guest on the SPARKED Podcast.

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