Is anyone else currently undertaking the obligatory autumn Friends rewatch, or is that just me? For some reason, Friends is just providing all the vibes I need this autumn. Anyway, even if you’re not currently rewatching every episode for the fifth time, pretty much everyone knows the famous pivot scene. The friends are trying their hardest to chart their own path up the neverending, winding and narrow stairwell to Ross’ apartment with a couch (which, let’s be honest, would probably have struggled to fit through the door anyway). The more effort they put in, the more difficult it seems to get until Ross starts shouting at them to pivot. Even though it didn’t work out ideally in the end, given that Ross only got $4 of store credit, his thinking was fundamentally correct. Ross started with a plan. He drew out a clear sketch of where the couch should go on its journey from the 1st to the 3rd floor. He thought he knew exactly how to get to the final destination.Â
When I was thinking about this metaphor, I heard my Mum talking about her university days. Her career path mirrors Ross’ issues in getting the couch up the stairs. I sat down and asked her to tell me about it again because, unlike Ross and his friends, my Mum has mastered the art of pivoting. She ended up in a job which she loved because she pivoted and pivoted and pivoted again to get there. This is a snapshot of our conversation.
What were your career aspirations originally?
I knew my Mum’s immediate answer would be to care for animals (she originally wanted to be a vet). But, after some work experience, she figured out that there would be things that were upsetting, and she might not be able to be the support she needed to be for pet owners.
Did you have a plan set out to get there and if so what did it involve?
“I did a lot outside of school so that I had a broad range of experience. I worked a lot with the vet, as well as volunteering with my local RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association), and at another local stables. I also worked with my brother who rehabilitated injured birds, even sometimes being called on by the RSPB to help look after birds from birth all the way to old age.
Academically, I took biology, chemistry and physics in high school, as well as Latin (to help with understanding the Latin roots of biological terms). My aim was to do a degree in zoology at university.”
Was the plan successful?
“I ended up going to Glasgow, and graduating with a BSc (hons) in zoology and microbiology. Not long before graduation, we were warned that the job market in the field was looking bleak. I didn’t want to go into research as I knew I would have ethical issues with it, and teaching wasn’t really where I wanted to go either. Teaching at university level was also hard to get into at the time because the zoology professors had a tendency to retire very late.”
So how did you pivot?
“I applied for numerous jobs in a variety of animal related settings like zoos, the SSPCA, kennels, and animal shelters, and was repeatedly told I was overqualified. Anything that I actually really wanted to do, I couldn’t get because of my qualifications and I ended up taking my degree off my CV for a while. That ended up in employers questioning the four year gap, and then finding out anyway. And, again, I was back to square one. I felt really upset and frustrated because of all the effort I had put in just to end up unemployed.
I ended up working in a pet shop, and then becoming manager in the hopes of improving the living conditions for the animals. I did manage to make valuable changes in staff training, and living conditions which was fulfilling. Then came a house move and various retail jobs including working in a bakery in St Andrews.”
What was the final pivot?
“I had a lot of experience caring for people. Family illness with my Dad having cancer, and numerous other health related issues, as well as other family members becoming unwell had given me the opportunity to care for them at home. I had also done work experience in high school at a day centre for those with disabilities, and I loved it so much I had kept going back throughout university. My family members pointed this out to me, and I began to think about caring for people.Â
I wondered about social work, and then after advice from a fellow zoology graduate, I settled on nursing. The opportunity to do an accelerated graduate nursing course came up, and I mulled over the decision for a while before deciding to just go for it. I immediately handed in my notice at the bakery to do some volunteering at a care home before the course started. Luckily, I had a job waiting for me after graduation. Phew! I worked in multiple different areas during my nursing including acute medical wards, dialysis and elderly care, and I absolutely loved it.”
My Mum carried on with nursing until she had children, and she now works as an accountant/ bookkeeper for my Dad’s business which she also enjoys.
Do you have any advice for students who are pivoting?
“Remember that everything you have done so far is valuable learning, and having got to where you are will help you throughout life. Stay positive, don’t feel bitter because things haven’t gone to plan. Instead, lean on your support network of friends and family, and listen to them. They know you surprisingly well! Have faith that you will find your way and make sure you always have a laugh in the hard times, because trust me, it helps!”
My Mum had a plan, and it didn’t end up going the way she had originally thought. She had to pivot multiple times to get to where she eventually wanted to be. Sometimes, we all have to pivot and take the unconventional route, and that’s ok!