Five Steps to Career Change Success: Lessons Learned in Tashiya Stewart’s Transition from Auditing to Graphic Design

By Christelle Agboka

In today’s work world, career change has become the new normal. While the reasons behind this are often involuntary (e.g., unemployment, lack of stability or low wages), voluntary career change is on the rise as people seek more challenge, satisfaction or balance from their work.

Falling into the latter category is Tashiya Stewart, who left her auditing job in Jamaica two years ago to pursue graphic design studies in Canada. Today she’s near graduation and completing a co-op placement in the educational publishing field. She’s also gaining exposure and contacts through freelance projects.

Smiling, Tashiya says, “Graphic design allows me to use my talents [of generating ideas, drawing and creating] to help people; when I create designs that they like and they’re happy, I’m really happy.”

Though content, Tashiya admits that even voluntary career change is not easy. Consider the following guidelines from Tashiya’s story to help smooth your transition.

1) Assess strengths and interests

Tashiya’strue passions shone through as she found herself more interested in the format and design of her audit reports than the actual content. Spark your own “a-ha” moment by assessing your strengths and interests.

2) Test drive options

Prior to quitting her job, Tashiya took a short course in basic Photoshop and Illustrator. This course boosted her confidence in her decision as well as in her design abilities. Likewise test your options by volunteering, moonlighting, talking to industry insiders or taking short courses.

3) Prepare to make sacrifices

Tashiya determined she’d need to leave Jamaica for competitive training. She joined her brother and his family in Canada, giving up her townhouse, car and steady income stream for student life. Whether you need to become a full- or part-time student, take a pay-cut or change locations, consider and plan for inevitable sacrifices.

4) Seek support networks

Prior to Tashiya’s move, a close friend, an HR manager, pushed her every day to make a change. Her family has also provided unconditional support. Seek out the personal and professional support networks who will become invaluable when you face self-doubt or uncertainty.

5) Stay focused, stay positive

Tashiya admits, “Sometimes I ask myself why I’m doing this.” Still, when difficulties arise she remains positive and keeps her eyes on her goal of eventually running her own design business. Like Tashiya, staying focused and positive will help you successfully transition to a new career.

Christelle Agboka, a recent graduate of Centennial College’s book and magazine publishing program, anticipates spending the rest of her life indulging her love of words and ideas. As a writer, she is especially fascinated by stories of people finding and pursuing their dreams.