From Computer Programming to Career Mentoring with Toni Patterson
In this episode, Sara talks with Toni Patterson about her journey from psychology to computer programming to law to career mentoring. Toni not only shares her career change story, but she also gives practical tips for positioning oneself in a new industry, both on LinkedIn and in person, and she talks about how to be happier at work, right here and now, even if you're planning to change fields. Today, Toni is both a lawyer and a career mentor, working in Philadelphia and with clients around the globe. Want to make your own career change? Download Sara's Seven Cs of Successful Career Change Chart. Sara and Toni Discuss:
- How Toni found Sara
- Toni's parents nudging her toward medicine (despite her interest in law)
- Studying premed
- Organic chemistry throwing a wrench in her plans
- Realizing she'd been living other people's ideals
- Switching to psychology
- Working in a hospital's children's psych ward
- Questioning her way forward again
- Leaning toward law but someone telling her she'd be good at computer programming
- Getting her certificate as a computer programmer
- Working as a programmer at a financial institution
- Feeling unfulfilled
- Remembering her interest in law
- Quitting her job and going back to school full time to get a law degree
- Practicing law
- Becoming a career coach
- How she knows when she feels truly satisfied
- What her technology background gave her that other lawyers didn't have
- How mindset affects job search
- How to position yourself as an "expert" in your new field on LinkedIn
- Making the connection with current industry leaders
- "Putting your own foot through the door" vs "getting a foot in the door"
- Creating more happiness right now, where you are, even if you want a career change
- What she'd do differently if she were to go back in time on her career path
- What to do if you're stuck in analysis paralysis
- Download Toni's free interview-generating resume template: toniapatterson.com
- ...and more!
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