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CAREER
159
May15
#2
PREVIOUS CAREER:
Solicitor, Allen & Overy, Associate, London and Singapore.
Best part of the job:
The people. I worked with some brilliant
people and made lifelong friends. And it’s the reason I first
came to Singapore – I’ll always be thankful for that.
Biggest challenges:
It’s stressful. Making mistakes can cost
your clients or your firm millions, so you are expected to be
right 100 percent of the time.
Inspiration for career change:
My mum. She lost her sight
unexpectedly when I was young, and she had to give up work.
She went on to receive an OBE from the Queen, is a trustee
of two national charities and has been a local councillor and
mayor. She taught me that you never know what’s going to
happen, so you need to seize opportunities and make sure
you are doing what you want to do, today.
NEW CAREER:
Account Manager, Salt Singapore (communications agency).
Reason for choice:
I knew I wanted a job where I would feel I
was making a difference and having a positive impact, but I
didn’t know where to start. While in the UK, I found OnPurpose,
which helps to develop talented professionals and put their
skills to use in organisations that focus commercial thinking
towards creating social and environmental benefit. It was
perfect! I worked on a variety of projects, which gave me the
confidence to do what I really wanted to do: move back to
Singapore. Then I met Salt, where I work on social mission
and sustainability campaigns – it was love at first sight.
Best part of the job:
There are lots of serious issues facing the
world, and business has a large role to play. Having a social
purpose helps businesses and brands turn green issues into
opportunities and CSR into business growth, while also having
a positive impact on the communities and environments they
work in. I love being a part of this.
Bigget challenge:
Drafting legal contracts is vastly different to
executive briefings, press releases and Twitter posts, but I love
the variety. It’s hard starting again; I’m an ambitious person,
so to be behind my peers is a challenge – but it also inspires
me to push myself to work hard so as to catch up.
Most satisfying achievement:
Working on the social mission
campaign of Unilever’s soap brand, Lifebuoy. The mission is
to help more children reach the age of five by teaching them
the lifesaving habit of washing their hands with soap. So far,
this has reached 254 million people.
Old job versus new job
:
The new job definitely wins. I get to do
something I really believe in, while living in an amazing city.
Sarah Cragg, British
USEFUL ADVICE
Get a support network:
Giving up a
career is difficult; there are going to be
times when it would just be easier to stay, so
surround yourself with people who remind you
why you are making the leap.
Do your research.
Think and plan the next
step before you quit your job. It can take time
to change careers, so don’t make any swift
decisions without having a plan.
Save, save, save.
If you’re changing career,
chances are you may have to take a pay cut, at
least temporarily.