Leap Like Me

Have you ever had an idea that you just couldn't get out of your head? A dream that, no matter how hard you tried to ignore it, just kept popping up. If so, honor that inclination. As today's guest says, if you can't stop thinking about it, you should probably go for it.

In this episode, I'm chatting with Jack Mengel about his leap from project management to data science. Jack is sharing how he went from merely dreaming about a career in data science to being "all in" for his leap in just a matter of weeks. Plus, he's shedding light on some of the limiting beliefs he encountered along the way and how he overcame them.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• Where Jack started his career and where he is now [1:52]
• How Jack accidentally landed in a project management role [3:42]
• How turning 30 inspired Jack to make a change in his career [7:55]
• Why Jack was drawn to data science, and why he was initially hesitant to go for it [10:45]
• How Jack went from not knowing what he wanted to do to being all in for his new career in just a few weeks [18:06]
• Why Jack decided to work with a career coach before he took his leap [19:26]
• How Jack taught himself the skills he'd need for his new career [23:33]
• How your identify shifts and evolves during your career leap [28:03]
• How Jack landed a data science role at his original company [30:30]
• Using your passion to fuel your leap and make the hard work enjoyable [36:02]
• Putting yourself out there to make connections and land projects in your new field [37:20]
• How to overcome the limiting beliefs keeping you from taking your leap [44:30]

If you're waiting for a sign to take your career leap, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode25

Connect with Jack

Jack's Instagram

Jack's Bio:

Jack Mengel is an experienced Program Manager and Data Science Engineer, based in Boston. He graduated from Boston University in May 2021 with a Masters in Computer Science (concentration Data Analytics).

In his current role, he is a full-time data scientist. He has performed projects predicting returns of stocks as well as trade costs, using both classifier and regression approaches. He has constructed a series of models using gradient boosting to predict trade costs for globally traded stocks that is now used in his prior company's trading process.

His data science work has also been heavily involved in "natural language processing" (aka NLP) meaning he derived statistical insights using text. His work in this space has been primarily looking for sentiment / investment signals on companies in earnings calls and company filings.

Jack has competed in several Kaggle competitions. Here is a link to his notebooks: https://www.kaggle.com/jacksmengel/notebooks

Do you know what you want out of your next career move? It might seem like an impossibly big question, but defining your vision for the future is the best thing you can do for your life and career. Not only does it give you a map for your next move, but it also helps you identify the right opportunities and take them with confidence.

In this episode, I'm explaining why you should start your leap with a clear vision of your ideal career and life. I'm walking you through the process of defining your vision and sharing a bit about how this strategy has impacted my own career. Plus, I'm talking about the real, practical benefits of keeping your vision at the forefront of your mind and using it to make all your decisions.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• How I came to find this strategy for achieving big changes in my life [1:21]
• What it means to define your "vision" for your career and life [3:33]
• Why everyone knows what they want, even if they can't put it into words yet [4:08]
• How to overcome negative thoughts and mindset blocks as you craft your vision [5:46]
• How the idea of a "dream job" can actually be harmful to your career search [7:08]
• How to get started with your career vision today [8:38]
• The practical benefits of visioning and how it can change your daily life [10:19]
• How visioning helps you recognize and jump on new opportunities [12:19]
• What having a vision has taught me in my own life and career [15:19]
• Why you should set "big, hairy, audacious goals" in your business [16:10]

If you're considering your own courageous career change, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript:

https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode24

Links mentioned in this episode…

Listen to Episode 23 with Sika Stanton: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode23

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras

Download my FREE Change Planner: https://www.lisahoashi.com/change-planner

Sika Stanton describes herself as a photographer turned filmmaker. ⁠ ⁠ That's the super simple version of this reinvention story. ⁠ ⁠ On the podcast this week, we dig into complexity behind that her two leaps: ⁠ ⁠ What it took for Sika to leave a 9-to-5 to make her way as a freelancer.

And then, now, to pursue a MFA in cinematography at the incredibly competitive The American Film Institute, in Los Angeles, California. ⁠ A tiny percentage of professional DPs (directors of photography) and camera operators in the industry are Black women, and Sika is determined to join their numbers.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• How Sika and I connected and where she's at in her career journey [2:28]
• How Sika has reinvented herself and pivoted her career over the years [4:17]
• Making the leap from employee to freelancer [6:19]
• Sika's first steps into the world of freelancing and how her work has changed since then [9:47]
• Why Sika made the decision to pursue a graduate degree [13:27]
• Using creative problem solving as you make your career leap [18:04]
• How Sika forged her path in an industry with little representation for Black women [20:42]
• Why it's vital to have a vision for where you want to go in your career [26:38]
• The personal growth Sika has experienced in her career leap [28:24]
• What Sika wishes she'd known before she took her leap [31:05]
• How to find support and take the first courageous step in your own career leap [34:14]

If you're waiting for a sign to take your career leap, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode23

Connect with Sika

Visit Sika's website

Follow Sika on Instagram

Sika's Bio:

Sika Stanton is an African-American filmmaker from Portland, Oregon. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Cinematography at the American Film Institute Conservatory and holds a BA in Studio Art from Stanford University.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the most common mistake I see people make at the beginning of their career leap. I'm explaining the importance of defining your wants, needs, and strengths, and I'm giving you a step-by-step exercise for doing it yourself. Plus, I'm sharing how you can overcome your fear of landing in a position that's even worse than the one you're leaving.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• The biggest mistake I see people make at the beginning of their career leap [1:28]
• Where you should really start if you're thinking about a career change [3:09]
• How neglecting to define you needs and wants can hurt you in the long run [3:42]
• How to define what you're good at and what you like doing, and then apply that to your job search [5:05]
• Why you should think strategically about your strengths [7:47]
• Why you should reject the narrative of "just being grateful for the job you have" and staying stuck [10:11]
• How I can help you make your career leap and find a career path you love [12:00]
• How to overcome your fear and minimize your risk of landing in a role that's even worse than the one you left [13:48]

If you're considering your own courageous career change, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode22

Links mentioned in this episode…

Enroll in my career course: https://www.lisahoashi.com/career-course

Apply for the Catalyst Coaching Program: https://www.lisahoashi.com/catalyst-coaching

Download my FREE Change Planner: https://www.lisahoashi.com/change-planner

Your career takes up a pretty big chunk of your life. Do you enjoy what you do? Would you go so far as to say you are happy? If you know for sure that your job isn't a good fit, where do you start? A career change can feel daunting. But it doesn't have to. When you focus on what makes you happy and take intentional steps to reach your goals, you can change the trajectory of your career. In this episode, I'm chatting with Carolina Cobo, former recruiter turned software developer. She shares valuable insight into how to leverage your current experience towards a career change as well as the importance of considering your future self and what will keep you happy and fulfilled in the long term. Her story is one that I think a lot of people can relate to, and her recruiter perspective will give you a leg up on making your leap.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• Why Carolina made a career change from technical recruiter to software developer [04:15]
• How the COVID pandemic was a force in pushing Carolina to make a leap [09:51]
• How her experience in Ireland opened her eyes to other work cultures and new possibilities [11:56]
• How taking risks can bring big rewards [13:15]
• The importance of putting yourself out there regardless of the outcome [15:15]
• The steps Carolina took to leave recruitment and try a different path [16:35]
• How online courses can give you a taste of a new career path [17:53]
• The value of formal bootcamps when making a career switch [18:51]
• The importance of not giving up and recognizing little wins as critical to your overall journey [22:04]
• Why you should consider your future self (wants and needs 5 or 10 years from now) when thinking about your career [25:19]
• How Carolina realized that she wants more from a career than "just a job" [30:44]
• How to make yourself stand out in your CV when switching careers [33:32] [40:08]
• How using keywords and networking on LinkedIn benefits you on your journey [38:06]
• How connecting with companies and recruiters can help get your foot in the door [42:03]
• That sometimes taking a pay cut or starting at a junior level can be worth it in the long run [44:48]
• Why community and connection is so important in any career, but especially during a change [49:32]
• Inspiration to make your own move if you're considering a change [51:01]

If you're looking for intention and happiness in your career change, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode21

Links mentioned in this episode…

Connect with Carolina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-cobo

Connect with Carolina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolina_cobo8/

Carolina's website: https://www.carolinacobo.com/

Carolina's "Getting a Job in Tech" blog series on Medium: https://ccobo.medium.com/

Apply for the Catalyst Coaching Program: https://www.lisahoashi.com/catalyst-coaching

Carolina's Bio:

Carolina received her degree and masters in HR, then started working as an HR Generalist at a software company in Seville, Spain. She decided she wanted to live abroad and improve her English, so she quit her job and moved to Ireland in 2018, where she worked for nearly three years as a technical recruiter.

She wasn't happy as a recruiter, but software and computers were always an interest of hers. At the beginning of the COVID pandemic, she decided to take the leap to give software development a try. After completing an online course on Udemy and a formal bootcamp at Code Institute in Dublin, she started her first job as a software developer in October 2021.

If you've ever reached your breaking point with a job, you know the feeling: You're totally drained, lacking confidence, but desperate to escape. Unfortunately, this negative energy doesn't make the job search–or the courageous career leap–any easier. It's a Catch 22 that keeps many people feeling stuck, but it doesn't mean you're destined to be stuck forever.

In this episode, I'm sharing a bit about the months leading up to my own career change. I'm explaining why so many people end up feeling stuck and lacking the confidence to make their leap. Then, I'm sharing my top tips for regaining your confidence, reclaiming your identity, and making baby steps towards your courageous career change.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• What a "Catch 22" is and what it means for your career change [1:32]
• My own experience lacking the confidence to leave a bad job [2:38]
• What it feels like to reach your breaking point with a job [5:24]
• How this feeling of being stuck can make it even harder to make a leap [5:50]
• How to "zoom out" and take a holistic, big-picture look at your life [7:47]
• Why it's important to show yourself grace when you're feeling stuck [8:21]
• How to create distance between you and the work that's draining your energy [12:07]
• How to reclaim your identity by devoting energy to non-work passions [14:42]
• How to start taking baby steps towards your career change [19:27]
• Why it's important to find support during this transition period in your life [20:18]
• Some words of encouragement if you're feeling stuck [23:54]

If you're considering your own courageous career change, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode20

Links mentioned in this episode…

Apply for the Catalyst Coaching Program: https://www.lisahoashi.com/catalyst-coaching

In this episode, you'll learn...

• Where Jennifer is on her journey and how she got here [2:03]
• How Jennifer shifted her skills as a creative director into her current role in real estate investing [4:52]
• Finding the courage to make your leap when you're burnt out from your current position [7:34]
• How Jennifer found a community of women in real estate who want to see her succeed [14:09]
• How to start networking before your leap, even if you've never done it before [14:57]
• Finding your confidence and direction as you transition into a new position or industry [18:42]
• How Jennifer's stage in life influenced her decision to make a career change [21:04]
• How Jennifer developed her exit strategy and finally quit her job [25:50]
• Finding yourself in a new career when your identity feels connected to your work [28:00]
• How networking helped Jennifer land her first position after her big leap [32:18]
• Deciding between a minor industry shift and a total career change [36:01]
• Why your wellbeing should come before your pay and benefits [38:19]
• Jennifer's advice for anyone who wants to make a late-stage career change [45:52]

If you're considering your own courageous career change, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode19

Links mentioned in this episode…

Apply for the Catalyst Coaching Program: https://www.lisahoashi.com/catalyst-coaching

In this first episode of Season 2, I'm chatting about the stages of making a career leap: what triggers them, how they usually play out, and what keeps us stuck. I'm sharing a bit about my own career leap and the mindset blocks I experienced along the way. I'm also giving you a little peek into what you can expect from the rest of this season.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• What you can expect in Season 2 of Leap Like Me [0:37]
• Why it's important to talk about career leaps and why we're drawn to them [2:09]
• Understanding what triggers a career leap [3:37]
• What you might be feeling as you get closer to your career leap [7:02]
• The "turning point" in your career leap process [11:07]
• How to start taking steps towards your career leap [12:21]
• Reclaiming your identity and sense of self outside of your work [12:54]
• How your energy can affect your career leap and next steps [15:09]

If you're considering your own courageous career leap, be sure to tune into this episode.

Get full show notes and the episode transcript: https://www.lisahoashi.com/leaplikeme/episode18

Links mentioned in this episode…

Apply for the Catalyst Coaching Program: https://www.lisahoashi.com/catalyst-coaching

Bonus episode: A Leap Like Me listener who was inspired to take her own sabbatical leap. Busi Radebe is a South African economist who had been working for the same bank in Johannesburg for a number of years when she started thinking about how she wanted something different for her life. After finding host Lisa Hoashi and the Leap Like Me podcast through an internet search, she started planning her own sabbatical. In this interview, Lisa speaks with Busi, five months into her sabbatical in the Netherlands. Busi talks about what she's learned so far – especially how it has shed new light on what she really wants for her life and career. Are you working on your own leap in 2020? Get the coaching and community of support that you need to really make it happen – Registration is open now for Lisa's 12-Week Springboard Group Coaching Program. The first group begins January 23. Get the details and your spot now at www.lisahoashi.com/springboard. Follow Lisa Hoashi @lisahoashi. Join the Leap Like Me Community on Facebook. Theme music by Far Pines Music.