What She Did Next

We’re wrapping up Season Four of What She Did Next with our always popular highlights episode.

If you’re new to the show, this is where you can get a little taster of the stories we’ve shared and if you like what you hear, you can scroll back through the feed to find the full episodes.

This season, we’ve been chatting to women who’ve made all sorts of inspiring career changes at all different stages of their careers.

Some of these women have redesigned their careers in some way – by going freelance or starting a business – while others have completely changed industries.

If you’re thinking about making a career change but you’re not quite sure what you want to do next or whether you’re making the right decision, these stories are for you.

We’re all about women making brave choices in their careers, so we hope you hear something in these conversations that inspires your next move.

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The idea of going back to study when you’re already juggling work and family might seem out of reach... maybe you’re worried that it’s too time consuming or too expensive or just not possible to fit in with your busy schedule.

But things have definitely changed on the study front, with the shift to online learning opening up a whole new world of possibilities, and the rise of short courses and more flexible courses making a career change more doable than ever.

Kathy Garabelli from Swinburne Online has more than 20 years’ experience in the tertiary education space and been at the forefront of online learning over the past decade.

She has tons of great insights to share about the latest career change trends, the most popular courses right now and her best tips for women who might be thinking about returning to study – whether that’s to upskill or reskill to start a whole new career.

This episode of What She Did Next is sponsored by Swinburne Online.

Learn more about Swinburne Online: https://www.swinburneonline.edu.au/

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jen Webster worked in the IT industry for 30 years, spruiking software for some big tech firms until her first child started school.

Needing more flexibility in her work, Jen shifted to a part-time role running her organisation’s corporate social responsibility program… which opened her up to the world of charities.

It was a role she loved for many years until suddenly she was faced with redundancy – a daunting prospect in her early 50s, but also paving the way to make a career change and follow her dream of working for a not-for-profit.

Jen soon discovered that was easier said than done, but her determination paid off. She’s gone on to work in what she describes as the ‘gritty’ end of the charity sector, in areas like HIV, homelessness and drug and alcohol addiction.

Now the Marketing Manager at Odyssey House NSW, Jen has found a great sense of meaning in her work and loves using her marketing skills for good. Inspired by her frontline worker colleagues, she’s also become a qualified social worker and is studying to be a counsellor.

In this episode, Jen chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      Why she loved working in IT and what drew her to the charity space

·      Going through a redundancy and the rollercoaster of job-searching and interviews

·      The challenges she faced and overcame in moving to not-for-profits

·      What she’s learned from working at different charities helping marginalised people

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

JEN’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Working Wisdom – a Facebook page set up by Jen offering practical tips to help women on the job hunt: https://www.facebook.com/workinginwisdom/

CONNECT WITH JEN

Learn more about Odyssey House NSW: https://www.odysseyhouse.com.au/

Follow Jen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennwebster/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melissa Chan has been a career changer throughout her working life, driven by a desire to learn and embrace new experiences.

During her 15-year career, she’s done everything from teaching yoga to advising a Prime Minister… and she’s also spent time in both the corporate and creative fields as a management consultant, writer and documentary maker.

Melissa is what you might call the ultimate ‘slashie’ – or what these days is often referred to as ‘multi-passionate’ – following her curiosity to explore different interests and talents, and enjoying the journey of self-discovery along the way.

Having recently finished up working with Malcolm Turnbull, during and post his political career, and making the documentary series Women’s Work, shining a light on financial issues facing women, Melissa is now getting ready to launch an exciting business venture of her own.

In this episode, Melissa chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      What’s led her to make big career leaps throughout her working life

·      Her various career chapters from working in PR to working for a PM

·      What she’s learned from throwing herself into different work environments and industries

·      The role of confidence, values and identity in her career change journey

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

MELISSA’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Read:

‘Big Magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert

Inspired by:

Her mum, the OG career changer!

CONNECT WITH MEL

Watch her doco: https://womenswork.org.au/

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefullestmel/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dervilla McGowan had always loved science, ever since she was a kid. She went on to study microbiology at uni and even completed a PhD.

But at the end of her studies, she realised a career in academia wasn’t for her… and instead she wanted to use her scientific skills to make craft gin!

Derv and her hubby launched Anther in 2016, an award-winning gin brand that celebrates Australian botanicals and employs mostly women. More recently, they built their own distillery and bar at the historic woollen mills in North Geelong.

Derv is now a leader in Australia’s craft distillation industry and is passionate about supporting and empowering more women to join her.

In this episode, Derv chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      What drew her to study science and why she eventually gave it up

·      How her early days as a bartender in London developed her palate and interest in spirits

·      The process of making a career change in her 40s and starting a business with no formal training

·      Why she loves making gin and championing women in the distillation industry

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and business owners

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

DERV’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Read, listen or watch:

Brené Brown https://brenebrown.com/

Inspired by:

Marie Curie

Brittany Higgins

Grace Tame

CONNECT WITH DERV

Visit her website: https://www.anther.com.au/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Hutcheon was a familiar face on our TV screens for 25 years. During her stellar career at the ABC, she was a foreign correspondent, a news presenter and the host of popular interview show One Plus One.

But in 2019, Jane announced her decision to leave the national broadcaster… driven by a sense that life was getting short and there was more she wanted to do.

Jane had been doing an annual stocktake in the years leading up to her decision – reflecting on where she was at, what she enjoyed doing and whether she was happy – and this helped her realise it was time to tread a different path, as ‘creator-in-chief’ of her own projects.

Jane has since gone on to write and perform her first theatre show called Lost in Shanghai, and she’s released a new book, Rebel Talk, about the art of conversation and finding your voice.

In this episode, Jane talks to host Jacqui Ooi about:

·     Why she was drawn to the magic of TV and what she loved about hosting One Plus One

·     How she made the difficult decision to leave the ABC after 25 years

·     Her career identity and the shift from ‘TV Jane’ to working for herself

·     How she now chooses which opportunities to say yes to and which ones to let go

·     Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

JANE’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Read:

‘Happiness by Design’ by Paul Dolan

Watch:

‘How to make hard choices’ TED Talk by Ruth Chang https://youtu.be/8GQZuzIdeQQ

Inspired by:

Baroness Jean Corston

Dr Deborah Keenahan

CONNECT WITH JANE

Visit her website: https://janehutcheon.com/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tamara Pitelen had worked in the media industry for 25 years in jobs that took her all over the world, before her growing concern about the climate crisis led to a major career change.

The thought had been brewing for a few years as she started to tire of endless magazine deadlines. And looking back, she says, it was also around the time menopause was kicking in – a big transition time for many women.

The turning point came when Tamara’s best friend Erin phoned her with an idea to launch their own sustainability consultancy… and as the COVID pandemic sent the world into lockdown and everyone turned to Zoom, Tamara took the opportunity to throw herself into online study.

Tamara and Erin have since gone on to launch Greener Matters, a consultancy that helps businesses get started on their sustainability journey and takes them through the B Corp certification process.

In this episode, Tamara talks to host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      Getting her start as a print journalist and working in different countries around the world

·      The key steps she took to retrain as a sustainability consultant

·      What it took to build a consultancy from scratch during a global pandemic

·      How she managed the financial transition and her own self-doubt

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

TAMARA’S TIPS

Study:

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment)

Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Corps

Read:

‘The Art of Happiness’ by The Dalai Lama

‘Your One Wild, Precious Life’ by Dr Maureen Gaffney

Watch:

‘Changing Your Life Is Easy with Marisa Peer’ on gaia.com

‘RuPaul's Drag Race’ on multiple streaming networks

Inspired by:

Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

Cindy Gallop, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn

CONNECT WITH TAMARA

Visit her website: https://www.greenermatters.com/

CREDITS

Host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chamani Weerasekera always wanted to help people, so choosing a career as a pharmacist working in hospitals made a lot of sense.

But a few years into her career, she realised she wanted something more… and in true ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ style, she headed overseas to see what else was out there for her.

For the next three years Chamani worked as a tour guide in Southeast Asia, loving the travel and adventure but seeing poverty all around her every day.

Inspired by the work of local charities, an idea started brewing to combine her love of fashion – which had always been there as a hobby – with empowering marginalised women here in Australia and overseas.

She’s since launched her namesake conscious-luxury fashion label, Chamani, partnering with artisans and non-profit organisations to create unique, custom fabrics and slow-made, sustainable designs.

Debuting her first collection at the Brisbane Fashion Festival, she’s now juggling her new career as a fashion designer and social entrepreneur, while continuing to “daylight” as a pharmacist as the business grows.

In this episode Chamani chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      Why she initially chose a more stable career over her creative interests

·      How she set up a purpose-driven fashion label with no formal training or business background

·      What she’s learned about working ethically and sustainably, and the power of persistence in overcoming startup challenges

·      Navigating the dual identity of being a pharmacist and fashion designer

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and startup founders

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

CHAMANI'S RECOMMENDATIONS

Podcasts:

Lady Startup Stories

Lady-Brains

Books:

‘Chapter One: You Have the Power to Change Stuff’ by Daniel Flynn (co-founder of Thankyou)

‘Shoe Dog’ by Phil Knight (founder of Nike)

Insta follows:

Clare Press @mrspress

Erika Cramer @thequeenofconfidence

Mia Freedman @miafreedman

Rachel Bajada @madamerach

Orsola de Castro @orsoladecastro

Deni Todorovic @stylebydeni

CONNECT WITH CHAMANI

Visit her website: https://www.chamani.com.au/

CREDITS

Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma McMillan loved many things about her job as a high school teacher but 12 years into her career, she was burnt out. As head of the drama and dance department, the additional night-time and weekend rehearsals on top of a heavy day-to-day workload had simply become unmanageable.

When she fell pregnant with her son, a year of mat leave was the perfect opportunity to explore what else might be out there for her… and when she couldn’t find a job that she wanted, she decided to create it herself.

Dreaming of a more flexible work life, Emma enrolled in some short courses to learn about copywriting and starting a business, before deciding to make the leap to work for herself.  

Six years on, she’s built a successful business as a freelance copywriter and copywriting coach, helping people become more skilled and confident writers.

In this episode, Emma chats with host Jacqui Ooi about:

·      How she knew teaching wasn’t her ‘forever’ career

·      The steps she took to make her career change

·      How she financially planned for the change and got her business off the ground

·      Navigating the identity shift that can come with making a career change

·      Her best tips and recommendations for aspiring career changers and business owners

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up to our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

LINKS

Australian Writers’ Centre – Copywriting Essentials course: https://www.writerscentre.com.au/store/courses/copywriting-essentials/  

She Mentors: https://www.shementors.com.au

Emma’s book recommendations:

‘Passion Purpose Profit: Sidestep the #hustle and build a business you love’ by Fiona Killackey

‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear

CONNECT WITH EMMA

Visit her website: https://www.emmamcmillancopy.com/

CREDITS

Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you at a career crossroads and thinking about what’s next for you?

Join host Jacqui Ooi for Season 4 of What She Did Next, as she chats with women across Australia who’ve successfully made career changes 10, 20, even 30 years into their careers.

We’ll find out why they did it, how they did it and their best tips to help other women.

Whether you’re looking to make a total career switch or to redesign your career in some way, these fun and engaging conversations will provide insights and inspiration to help you along that journey.

Tune in on 6 April for a brand-new season.

For more inspiring career change stories, tips and resources, sign up for our newsletter: https://whatshedidnext.com.au/

CREDITS

Creator, host and producer: Jacqui Ooi

Associate producer: Catherine Cavill

Join us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshedidnextpodcast/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whatshedidnextpodcast

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/what-she-did-next-podcast

What She Did Next acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which this podcast is made, the Wodi Wodi people of the Dharawal nation. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.