Jo Mandel on figuring out how to change jobs and countries with a young family
My good friend, Jo Mandel, joined me on the podcast to share her ever-evolving career journey.
This is a great episode for anyone who has ever fantasized about moving cities or countries, and wondered how you can make it all work with partners and toddlers thrown in the mix. Jo shares exactly how she navigated it all.
It’s also great for anyone who is interested in learning more about WHAT communications is; the different carer paths within comms, or even if you have just always wondered what the communications team at your organization is responsible for.
I think you’ll love how real and honest Jo is about her journey in her career and as a parent.
So who is Jo Mandel?
Jo has spent the last 10+ years working in Communications. From a brief stint in newspapers, to PR agency life, and two very different internal communications roles. She says that she's learnt just how vast the communications industry is and how you can really shape your own career based on your strengths, interests and life stage.
Within the last 6 months, Jo has moved countries with her husband and toddler, landed a new job, bought a house, figured out childcare, and has begun to build a lovely life in a new city.
Big takeaways from this episode with Jo.
1. GET ON THE SAME PAGE AS YOUR PARTNER:
Jo shares that her and her husband both like change, which has helped there to be less resentment when moving cities or countries for one person’s career. But if you aren’t keen on change, tackle that head on so you reduce friction and go into the big change with support for one another.
2. VIEW CHANGE AS AN ADVENTURE…THAT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PERMANENT:
When moving cities or countries, Jo is honest about how much work is involved, but how it has gets you out of your comfort zone. She also brilliantly shares that no change is forever aka, if you don’t like a change you have made, in many cases, you can just change again!
3.GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE AND MEET NEW PEOPLE (IN A NEW CITY OR NOT!):
Why don’t we do this in our own city? We get so wrapped up in the network that we have already, but Jo shares the fun in meeting new and interesting people when you move. I say there’s a lesson here for all of us!
4. LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU WORK, OR WOULD WORK, WITH
In an interview, you need to ensure that you’re getting to know your potential coworkers. Jo said that this helped her immensely when making the decision to sign on with T-Mobile in Seattle. She said that she clicked with the team and to her, it was a no-brainer. You spend so much time with these people, you better like them!
5. WORK-LIFE BALANCE DURING THE WEEK…IT’S NOT ALWAYS THERE
Sometimes it’s just a s*it show. And it’s a soup and sandwich kind of night. Give yourself grace!
OTHER EPISODES MENTIONED
(Ep. 3) Taylor Aller on figuring out her multi-passionate career
(Ep. 5) Figure out how to reduce chaos as a working parent with these life hacks
