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Career change: should you change? - Lessons from the EmpowerHER conference roundtable discussion The question of changing careers is an ever-present issue in every person's life. The Interim Ltd. explores the topic based on a conference discussion.

Career change: should you change? - Lessons from the EmpowerHER conference roundtable discussion

According to German polymath Albert Schweitzer: ‘Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you do, you will be successful.’ It sounds like a logical proposition, and if we accept that it is true, it is not difficult to see that the recipe for happiness changes as people change, as does what success means to us. The pursuit of happiness, and the career change that goes with it, is a natural and fundamental thing, and it is no coincidence that it was a central theme at the EmpowerHER conference.

There comes a time in everyone’s life when the question arises: should I change? At this year's EmpowerHER conference, a roundtable discussion was moderated by Dóra Markovits, Managing Director of Interim Ltd. The event, organised with the participation of Interim Ltd., is the first women's business conference in the Lake Balaton region, where inspiring speakers discussed topics ranging from women's careers and career paths to conscious decisions and women leaders. In the ‘Should I change?’ panel, three eminent professionals shared their experiences and thoughts on the challenges of career change.

The central idea of the German film drama Good bye Lenin is the question of impermanence and change. It is 1989, the year of regime change when a woman's health problems mean that she 'misses out' on a big change. As a believer in the socialist system, the news of regime change would upset her to no end, so her children decide to preserve the illusion of permanence, exclude change from 79 square metres of their home, and maintain the illusion that everything is back to normal with (fake) news, (fake) newspapers and (fake) radio spots. However, no one expects the statue of Lenin to get transported just in front of the window, shattering the carefully constructed illusion.

We must be prepared for change to happen by being aware that change can arrive at any point. This is what the experts at the round table discussion did. Katalin Kovács, interim manager, Szilvia Lükő, who has gone from HR manager to master cheesemaker, and Orsolya Zeliska, owner of Péklány bakery in Balatonfüred, came from different backgrounds. But they all had one thing in common: they were brave enough to make a big decision that changed their lives. They dared to leave the corporate environment and start their journey.

The future of the relationship between technology and people

The world is changing fast, as the World Economic Forum's 2023 study indicates. In 2022, 34 per cent of work was done by machines, rising to 42 per cent by 2027 and tipping the balance in favour of machines by 2030. But where is man's place in all this? 

All three participants agreed that while artificial intelligence (AI) makes our lives easier in many areas, there are some jobs where the human factor is irreplaceable. Both Szilvia Lükő and Orsi Zeliska pointed out that making good bread or cheese is possible only with a sound knowledge of the ingredients and continuous experimentation. On the contrary, for an interim manager, AI use is much more common, especially when working on a project in the manufacturing sector, where machines are gaining ground over human labour.

Career change: why and how do we change?

Intelligent.com's 2022 summary found that 17 per cent of U.S. students already own their businesses, while 16 per cent plan to start their own company after graduation. The top reasons include doing what they are passionate about and being their boss. 

This passion and desire for autonomy was also reflected in the stories of the roundtable guests. The participants' career change was not about building a career in the traditional sense or financial gain, but more about tangible results and passion.

Interviewees highlighted that one of the most important elements of a successful career change is not to go alone: find a mentor or a supportive environment. This will help you map out your career path, assess your options for a career change, make thoughtful decisions and start afresh. It is also a great source of inspiration, whether at conferences such as EmpowerHER or in excellent books on the subject.

What to read for progress? - Participants' testimonials

  • Simon Sinek: Find your why!
  • 3MIQ- The 3 key questions method by Vishen Lakhiani
  • Jens Andersen: LEGO for a lifetime
  • Initiation - Ancient Egyptian Mysteries 
  • Kitti Almási: Living Courageously, Who Are You?

The EmpowerHER conference was not only thought-provoking but also inspiring. The world is constantly changing, so we too must be ready for change. The stories and advice from the participants at the event will help us ensure that whenever we decide to change, we can walk our journey confidently and prepared.

 

 

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