Time for a Change: Cruise to Career

When I was growing up, all I wanted to do was work in television. It was my dream job. For more than twenty years, I lived that dream and was more successful than I ever could’ve imagined. But by early 2022, the dream started to fade. I knew it was time for something new but I had no idea what.

Honestly, it was scary. I was in my mid-40s and not just looking for a new job but a new career. The questions raced through my mind for weeks. What skills did I have that a new industry would value? How do I apply for a job that’s not TV news? Would I have to take a significant pay cut to try something new? What do I even want to do?

Stressful would be an understatement. Because of how my contract at work was structured, I didn’t have time to figure it all out and then hand in my notice. A timeline that should’ve taken six months would now need to take six weeks!

Finding a Career Coach

One night, while I was with my family, my father suggested a career coach. I think my response was, “How is a career coach possibly going to help me when I don’t know the career I want?” He didn’t have a great answer but said, “You’re good at research; figure it out.”

As most people would, I asked Google, “What does a career coach do?” There were plenty of answers, most of which made me roll my eyes. I didn’t need a motivational coach or a therapist. I didn’t need someone to teach me how to write a resume. I needed someone who could help me find my passion.

I did countless searches to find an article that would click with me. I wasn’t looking for a career coach. I wanted to know if hiring one was a good idea or a waste of money. Just as importantly, would they fit my needs? Basically, I had more questions than answers.

Meeting Maggie Mistal

After days of trying to figure it out on my own, I decided to start contacting career coaches and see if anything made sense to me. I wish I could remember how I found the five coaches I contacted but I’m glad one of them was Maggie Mistal.

I explained my dilemma and we had a few conversations and email exchanges about ideas and possible strategies. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t make snap decisions, so it was back to figuring out if I thought this was the right path.

After a week of self-reflection, I understood I could not figure out this new career search on my own. While I was doing all of this, the clock was ticking before I needed to leave my TV station and I had no clue what I wanted to do.

I decided to hire a career coach and it was time to decide who. I mentioned Maggie earlier because she was the one I thought would be the best fit for me. She would tailor the timeline to fit my needs.

Soul Search, Research and Job Search

The highest compliment I can give someone or something is that it challenged me to think and step out of my comfort zone. After 20+ years of success in the same career, that's not easy.

We talked a lot about what I enjoy; it had nothing to do with work. I kept trying to talk about what I was good at or thought I could do. Maggie kept telling me we’d get there but I needed to go through the process of finding what brings me joy and what I’m passionate about. That’s not easy for me.

At this point, it felt like I had three full-time jobs, my actual job, the process of finding the next one and then moving. Maggie’s process has three distinct steps: Soul Search, Research and Job Search. I wanted to go straight to the job search but Maggie kept me on track.

My passions were clear by the end of Soul Search, but I couldn’t imagine how they would lead to a new career. This is when Maggie really challenged me to open my mind and let go of what was comfortable. It was hard because all I could envision were barriers and obstacles.

Maggie is great about clearing those self-imposed barriers and helping find solutions. Now, it was time to consider all the skills I built in TV and how I could use them in a new career in travel.

She helped me realize that things I took for granted were skills. I’m a good writer; I know how to take good pictures and videos, and I know how to promote an event. These are “skills” I took for granted. Maggie helped me realize they could benefit me in a travel career.

Of course, Maggie had suggestions as I transitioned from research to job search. She saw my path long before I did but never pushed me onto it; she let me get there on my own. Once I figured it out, she helped me take a job title I did not want and make it something I’d embrace.

My New Career

I’m not a travel agent. I’m a luxury travel concierge who designs bespoke vacations for families. I work with you to learn what you want and turn your vacation dream into reality.

Going through Maggie’s Soul Search process, I realized I didn’t want to work for a company again. Everything we did helped open my mind and get me over my fears about starting my own travel business.

I’m proud to say I started Unique Luxury Travels in the summer of 2022 and, from my office in New York, have helped countless families plan unique vacations based solely on their preferences.

Two years later, I’m thrilled to work with Maggie again. She and I are teaming up to help people find their passion. We created Cruise to Career. It’s a chance to advance your career while enjoying the benefits of a cruise! I wouldn’t be where I am today without Maggie’s help, and this gives us both the opportunity to shine in what we do.

The workshop starts on April 5th, 2024. Click here to discover all the details that will make your career journey successful!

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