Finding the Right Career

Finding the Right Career

with Tracy, IAB Editor

This month’s career article is focused on our very own I Am BeYoutiful editor, Tracy @trace.over.it.  I loved reading her experiences and how she went on a journey of self-discovery to get to where she is. It also puts things in perspective that you can change your career path as you grow and develop as a person.

1. WHAT DO YOU WORK AS AND WAS THIS A CAREER YOU KNEW YOU WANTED TO PURSUE?

I am a Writer, Editor and Food Anthropologist. Writing and editing, funnily enough was not something I thought to pursue as a career even though they have always been my strengths. I have always been an avid reader who constantly found every excuse I could to write, but they were never things I considered talents. I just figured everyone did them and that they were pretty standard, but over the years I realised that not everyone is drawn to reading and writing or sees the power of words as much as I do. Reading and writing are talents, ones I devalued most of my life and the best part is that now I get to use them to help others through I Am Beyoutiful. Food Anthropology was something I got into in the last 4-5 years after I moved to South Korea and began questioning every single belief I had in relation to food, people, culture, and society. Anthropology is the study of people and their behaviours and Food Anthropology does it through the lens of food. It is really interesting because we can learn so much through what we eat (or don’t eat) and why we eat it. I love people and hearing their stories. Reading, writing, and food are magical ways to connect with and connect people.

2. DID YOU HAVE A SET PLAN FOR YOUR CAREER OR WAS IT SOMETHING THAT YOU DISCOVERED ALONG THE WAY?

My career is definitely something I discovered along the way and as a result of getting to know myself. I have had various career paths in my life because I have always just done what felt like me at that time. After school I did an Arts degree which focused on English, Philosophy and Classical History. Then I completed a Higher Diploma in Archaeology (An 80’s baby, can you tell! I saw myself as a bit of an Indiana Jones and grew up obsessed with dinosaurs). I did that for a year, but it wasn’t at all what I expected, so I took a job in Paddy Powers and loved it for 5 years. Even though I loved it I felt stagnant, and I always knew in the back of my mind that I wasn’t, for lack of a better term, living my best life. Then my dad passed away suddenly and that sort of woke me up. I had always wanted to travel and live in Asia, so I packed up my life and moved to south Korea to be an English teacher. I highly recommend this for anyone with a degree. Travelling and working in another country taught me so much about myself and the world and cheesy as it sounds, I found myself, but not only that I found life. I rediscovered my love of reading and writing there and applied for my Master’s in Food Anthropology. That is what brought me to London in 2018 and led me now; pursuing my Life Coaching Diploma while working my dream job at I Am Beyoutiful. I have learned that in life you can be a jack of all trades, or you can be a master of one. Both will get you to where you are meant to be eventually, so always do what makes you happy and don’t be restricted by what society says you should be doing. At the end of the day skills are transferrable so do what makes you happy.

3. WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TEENAGE SELF IN TERMS OF CHOOSING A CAREER PATH?

I would say don’t discount something simply because you think you won’t like it. Research it or try it once if you can, then decide. Really look at yourself and what you like to do. Then look at others around you and see if they do similar things. If they don’t then those are your strengths, don’t discount them as nothing, they are your superpowers. Even if others do the things, you get joy from or things similar to what you get joy from, still do your thing, because others will always do what you do, but they will never do it like you do.

4. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AND HOW DID YOU APPLY FOR IT?

My very first job was as a cleaner in an airport when I was 15. My dad found the application forms and I filled one out and got the job. I worked Saturdays and Sundays and every other day during the school holidays until I was 19. Then I deferred university, got a factory job to save and started university at 20. I never did like to follow the “normal” progressions in life. I worked before university and after it and had 10 years out of education before doing my MA. There is no right or wrong way to do things.

5. What has been more valuable in your career, your education, or your experience?

I love learning and my education brought me to where I am today but that can only do so much. Experience is invaluable and it can come from one job or many. I graduated at the end of 2019 and trying to build graduation experience during a pandemic has been challenging but necessary. I have done many jobs in my life and gained transferrable skills from all of them. My experience has made me who I am and is unique to me and yours will be unique to you too. I don’t believe in certain jobs being better or worse than others; never underestimate what any kind of job can teach you. At the end of the day, we must find a way to make it relevant to the position we are applying to.

6. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR WORST CAREER EXPERIENCE?

I think I have been very lucky in that if I feel something doesn’t serve me or I don’t serve a job well anymore I look for other opportunities, give notice and leave. Often leaving a job is seen as failure or giving up, but our happiness and mental health must come first. There is no shame in changing paths, changing your mind, doing what is best for you or getting out of a situation that no longer works. It is actually more detrimental to everyone if you stay.

7. What has been the best learning experience in your career?

My time as a teacher in South Korea. I cannot stress how beneficial it is to completely push yourself outside of your comfort zone in an environment that goes against everything you have ever known and believed. Working and living in Korea made me question every single thing about myself, my beliefs and my values. It completely changed me. I am so much more open-minded, accepting of difference and my mindset surrounding fear has completely changed. I spent a lot  of years being afraid. Afraid of failing, afraid of not liking something, afraid to be myself and afraid to do the things I wanted to do, but I realised fear was always going to be there whether I did what I wanted or not. I could sit at home afraid and unhappy, or I could go do the thing I wanted to while being afraid. Doing exactly that has made me happier and I find I gravitate towards fear now because if I fear something then do it that’s when I grow most and become more myself. Second to that is my position at I Am Beyoutiful. I am getting invaluable experience doing all the things I love like reading, writing, and working on self-development, while helping others. I am currently training to be a Life Coach and so much of what we write about at IAB along with the amazing classes that Ayla, the founder organises for the team are really helping me pull my dream career together.

8. What was the best job decision you ever made?

Without a doubt going to teach English in South Korea because that led me to rediscover my love of reading and writing which ultimately led me to apply to be a writer for I Am Beyoutiful. I graduated just before the pandemic hit and was left with no immediate opportunities to get graduate experience in editorial and I wholeheartedly knew after graduation that was where I wanted to be. When I read the advert to write for I Am Beyoutiful, it really resonated with me as  I wish I had a magazine like this one when I was younger. I was so happy when I got accepted and could finally do what I love. It got even better when I started working on the editorial team with the Deputy Editor Aymen, and soon after I was officially asked to be the Editor. The team spirit, advocacy, and collaboration at IAB is everything I could want from a job, and I am extremely lucky to be part of the team.

9. WHAT DOES JOB SATISFACTION MEAN TO YOU?

Balance, flow, advocacy, and collaboration. Having work/life balance and being in flow. When I write and edit, I am in flow; time doesn’t exist, and I feel fulfilled. Helping others and myself. Being creative both alone and as part of a team, brainstorming and doing things that will ultimately help others.

10. IF YOU COULD CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER PATH, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I am obsessed with minimal, space saving, eco and sustainable living and have spent years researching and designing my future house, so I think something like Civil Engineer, Architect or House Designer. I never say never. I might do it yet.