Aviva Levin is a WIP: from Teacher to Graduate Student and Podcast Host

Julie's Career Change
Vice President, Digital Sales Marketing & Private Digital Commerce, North America → Boutique owner → Podcast Host and Side Hustle Business Coach

Episode Timestamps
0:59 Introducing Julie
02:44 Did Julie knew she wanted to be her own boss
04:15 On how switching jobs is different now thanks to the Internet
07:57 On whether Julie’s skills lead to her leading people or was it her own decision
14:16 What did Julie do to change positions in her corporate job
17:31 Her reasons for leaving IBM
21:55 Julie’s process of transitioning her career
30:39 Julie’s life after starting her own business
37:22 Julie’s advice for people who don’t know how to start a side hustle 
41:55 Advice for people starting their brand
44:08 Advice for moms who need a bit extra cash
49:34 Covid friendly side hustles
52:11 On network marketing
54:03 Thinks Julie wishes she knew before switching careers
55:17 Julie’s social links

About Julie
Julie had a career transition from a former Fortune 500 marketing VP to business coach and a podcast host. Julie believes that there has never been a better time for women to create an additional income stream that is aligned to her passions and purpose on this planet

Resources
Where to find Julie: Website, Podcast, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Naira's Career Change
Naira's career trajectory took a turn when she switched from a logistics and supply chain management major to a digital marketing specialist; her curiosity in data has driven her to different places and now she uses that love and curiosity to help small to medium clients achieve their marketing goals.

Episode Timestamps
01:45 Introducing Naira
02:48 Naira’s decision to pursue something different than what she studied
04:44 How long has she been active in marketing
06:02 Naira’s first marketing job
07:31 Transitioning from direct response marketing to digital marketing 
11:58 Differences between her old career and her new one
16:37 Coming to realise Naira wanted to be her own boss
18:10 Starting your own company VS switching to another one
19:48 Naira’s plan of starting her own business
24:23 The importance of having a mentor/someone to look up to
25:27 What the heck is social media advertising anyways?
28:55 Marketing on a shoestring budget
30:09 What kind of marketing services do people with varying budgets get? 
33:38 Naira’s typical clientele
36:49 Naira’s advice to up and coming entrepreneurs with minimal following 
40:20 Essential steps towards building a viable marketing campaign
44:56 Naira’s tips on how to identify and connect with your target audience 
48:09 Highlights and lowpoints of Naira’s career journey
51:31 Naira’s vision for the future of her company
55:36 Naira’s social links

About Naira
Naira has over two decades of marketing experience. She got her start in direct response advertising, building brands on TV  before digital was even a thing.
Her main areas of expertise include developing digital marketing strategies, identifying customer patterns and behaviors on and offline, and optimizing  ROI through generating qualified leads, better processes, and effective planning and execution. 

Resources
Where to find Naira: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Kaylee's Career Change
Kaylee went from a less technical product role to an app-core developer role; her mission as a woman in tech is to share her story and help other women find their path in the tech industry.

Episode Timestamps
01:16 Introducing Kaylee
02:43 Has Kaylee always wanted to be a software engineer
03:45 Looking for a new job
04:53 The Grace Hopper Conference
07:26 Kaylee’s first internship offer
13:03 How far deep into her first job did Kaylee start looking for a new one 
15:55 Landing a new job and leaving the old one
19:16 The interview process of an internally moving employee
21:05 Was Kaylee’s blog made before or after moving positions
23:23 Kaylee’s challenges as a new team member
25:00 Building relationships
27:24 Challenges of being 100% remote
30:52 Kaylee’s current job’s learning curve
32:23 Reaching out for help in a brand new environment
36:37 On experiencing self-doubt
38:21 Leveraging knowledge of other programming languages during interview
39:28 First step into learning a new programming language
40:21 Kaylee’s previous position in retrospect
41:47 Women are often presented with less technical tasks 
43:09 Dealing with moving to a job you didn’t expect
44:23 Communicating with your manager your lack of satisfaction with your current role
45:23 On workspace buzzwords
46:56 Female representation in lead tech positions
48:49 Kaylee’s podcast
49:53 Kaylee’s social links

About Kaylee
Kaylee is a software engineer working at a fintech company remotely from Vermont in a log cabin. She has a huge passion for diversity and inclusivity in STEM and her blog - Just a Coder Thing is dedicated to career tips and sharing her experience as a woman in tech.

Resources
Where to find Kaylee: Website, Podcast, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Tony's Career Change
Tony made a career transition from finance  to leadership coaching; his goal is to guide leaders to climb mountains, feel more fulfilled, and lead with an inspired purpose

Episode Timestamps
01:15 Introducing Tony
02:39 Did Tony always know he would become a coach
07:22 Tony’s work in music therapy and his internships
09:37 Looking for his first job
14:04 How to approach colleagues in a new job
17:08 Tony’s past work experience in finance before switching from biotech 
21:04 Tony’s consultation business
25:30 The straw that broke the camels back
31:00 Tony’s next steps after the realisation
32:49 Deciding to switch to coaching instead of applying at a new firm 
33:50 Friends’ and family reactions
34:58 Getting started with his new coaching gig
36:56 Acquiring the first client
38:07 Tony’s book
39:17 Tony’s advice on how to identify if you’re stuck in an unfulfilling job 
41:04 Tony’s podcast
44:06 Tony’s social links

About Tony
Before he became a coach, he was a finance and strategy professional with experience working with some of the world's leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company. Today, Tony is the host of The Virtual Campfire podcast and is currently writing his first book, "Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life."

Resources
Where to find Tony: Website, Podcast, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Aviva's Career Change
Aviva pivoted from teaching to furthering her studies as a graduate student and a podcasting

Episode Timestamps
01:01 Introducing Aviva
04:30 Experiences working with kids and young adults
11:52 Aviva’s move from Canada to the States
15:21 A day in the life of a teacher
21:07 How long ago did she move and what was her life like getting there 
23:44 How does being a student change her teachers’ perspective 
26:48 Effects of long distance learning on young people
29:Aviva’s transition to podcasting
36:42 Interesting stories and lessons from Aviva’s podcast
42:09 Useful advice for people to improve their learning capabilities 
46:04 Aviva’s regrets over the years
53:06 Aviva’s social links / Closing words

About Aviva
Aviva used to be a teacher, and now she is a graduate student and a podcaster who shares  innovative educators' successes and challenges from around the world


Resources
Where to find Aviva: Website, Apple Podcast, Facebook


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Hillary's Career Change
From a corporate 9-to-5 to a motivated mompreneur, Hillary helps mompreneurs grow their business without growing their to-do list.

Episode Timestamps
01:47 Introducing Hillary
06:54 Difficult moments during her previous line of work
07:57 Duration of her previous career
08:55 Deciding to leave her job
11:03 Assessing the core values of Hillary’s clients
15:16 Hillary’s shifting core value assessment
19:58 Ultimately deciding to leave her job and pursue a coaching career 
23:48 Friends’ and family’s reactions
24:55 Overcoming the fear of not having a stable salary
27:25 Addressing her clients’ fears
29:21 Managing her new job and momhood
31:15 Does having strict boundaries help you be more productive 
32:17 Hillary’s tips on juggling work and family
34:43 Hillary’s morning routine
35:49 GSD (Get Shit Done) hour
40:52 Things Hillary learned about being a mompreneur
42:16 Finding her first client
45:19 Comparing her work life before and after her career shift 
46:43 Hillary’s social links

About Hillary
Hillary always knew she wanted to help people grow. When she graduated, she joined an employee development team within the HR department; she found helping people realize their potentials to be  fulfilling and meaningful. As she navigated changes in her own life - the birth of her children - she realized her priorities shifted and this led to the eventual departure from a corporate setting to starting her own business as a mother of two. Currently she provides training and consulting to business owners and leaders looking to increase the growth and revenue of their organization and develop a profitable online brand


Resources
Blog post is here
Where to find Hillary: Website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
Hillary's Core Values Assessment created for Work In Progress listeners


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Vanessa's Career Change
From teacher, project manager to travel tech professional and the creator of Wander Onwards.

Episode Timestamps
01:03 Introducing Vanessa
02:47 Reasons for moving abroad
04:52 What were the early days of living abroad like
08:58 Why decide to code
10:47 Finding her first client
12:09 How did Vanessa start learning code on her own
13:35 Was building websites enough to keep her afloat
15:56 Finding herself
19:56 Vanessa’s major turning point
22:19 Side hustles
24:00 How has the pandemic affected Vanessa’s business ventures
25:07 Vanessa’s project management experiences
27:02 What was the catalyst that enabled Vanessa’s transition
29:31 Vanessa’s predictions about her future
30:55 Time management
32:00 Tech-talk from a self-taught coder
34:31 Application/employment tips
37:10 PRO LINKEDIN SEO TIPS FROM VANESSA 100% GUARANTEED
39:53 Vanessa’s online services and products
46:14 Thoughts on LinkedIn
49:50 Vanessa’s social links

About Vanessa
Vanessa M.W is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 7 years. Today, she helps people build better lives inside the US and abroad through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class and financial literacy digital products. She currently lives in Europe with her German Husband and Italian cat, Xiao Huang.

Resources
Where to find Vanessa: Website, Instagram


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Tega's Career Change
From health researcher to professor and career coach, Tega helps women who are unhappy at work get clear about who they are so they can find a fulfilling career.

Episode Timestamps
01:12 Introducing Tega
03:26 What prompted Tega’s shift
05:45 When did Tega realise her previous job was unfulfilling
06:53 How long did it take for her to realise
07:18 Steps taken after coming to that conclusion
09:08 Was introspection helpful in making a decision
10:31 Is her counselling job for a specific age group
11:10 What came next after becoming a school councillor
18:54 Did Tega originally think counselling could sustain her financially
22:49 Have Tega’s clients ever found a more fitting job than what she proposed to them
24:18 Day to day activities as a professor and consultant
28:38 Finding her first client
31:02 Breaking down Tega’s consulting process
36:30 Consultation’s time-frame
38:15 THE FUN PART: Consulting Angela
51:24 THE FUN PART: Consulting Dana
1:08:38 Regrets/Things Tega wished she knew earlier
1:10:38 What can a client do if there’s interest in one of Tega’s services?
1:12:34 Tega’s social links
1:13:09 Closing words

About Tega
Tega Edwin is a career counselor and coach who helps women who are unhappy at work get clear about who they are so they can find a fulfilling career and job search with confidence. Before starting her company – Her Career Doctor – she worked as a career counselor for one of the largest career services centers in the nation. In addition to her work as a career counselor, Tega currently uses her Ph.D. in Counselor Education as a professor to train future counselors in a large research university. Tega is a licensed professional counselor, a national certified counselor, and a certified salary negotiation facilitator.

Resources
Blog post is here
Where to find Tega  Website, Instagram


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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Ana's Career Change
Marketing to Author, Journalist, and Podcast Host

About Her
Ana used to work in marketing until she experienced burn out from her job and HAD TO quit for the sake of her health. She grew up in an artistic family but wanted a more "stable" career so she always looked elsewhere when it comes to career options. It wasn't until she embraced her artistic side that she realized she was meant to do this and, in her  own words, "doors opened everywhere" when she started writing. 

Episode Timestamps
01:17 Introducing Ana
31:01 Son walks in during the interview
31:33 On experiencing self-doubt
32:50 How does Ana organize her thoughts into a book
36:16 Awards won by “Thank You Mama” podcast
37:14 How does Ana find guests for her podcast
38:06 On having guests from all over the world
39:10 Lessons Ana learned from her mama
45:22 How does Ana manage her work and time
50:04 Ana’s advice on creative writing
52:44 Ana’s social links
53:46 Closing words


Resources
Where to find Ana  Website, Instagram, Facebook Group

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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial

Tatiana's Career Change
Computer Science to Art

What is something that surprised you about your career change?
"I'm surprised to actually be doing something creative. I never thought being an artist, much less selling apparel would ever be feasible. It's a lot simpler than I imagined it to be."

Episode Timestamps
01:00 Introducing Tatiana
03:44 Amazon FBA explanation
04:41 Costs relating to Amazon FBA
05:50 Amazon FBA vs Etsy
08:45 Discussing how owning a store is so different from what Tatiana studied
12:05 Time spent figuring out career switching
18:51 How did Tatiana’s CS degree help her with her current endeavours
20:59 Graduating/Starting a business mid-pandemic
24:42 Current state of business / Venturing into coaching
28:33 Friends and family’s attitude towards Tatiana’s focus shift
32:12 How can an artistically illiterate person start his own print shop
34:14 Highs and lows of Tatiana’s career transition
39:53 Next steps
42:20 Time spent managing an online shop
45:53 Tatiana’s social links
46:30 Closing words

Resources
Blog post is here
Where to find Tatiana  Website, Instagram (personal), Instagram (store)

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About Us
We have more interviews on career change on our podcast! Head over there to check out more interesting  stories!

• Want to learn more about why we care about career transitions? Check out Why Work In Progress
• Connect us with someone who has an amazing career story at https://www.instagram.com/work_in_progress_blogs/ and workinprogressblogs@gmail.com 

Music was used with permission. Credit: Happy by MBB https://soundcloud.com/mbbofficial