What to Expect When Changing Careers

Felecia’s Story

Felecia graduated from UNC in 1996 with a degree in Elementary Education and a passion to support the development of youth in her community. For 12 years, Felecia stayed on that path, always passionate about the students she was serving, but slowly losing confidence in school district leadership. These changes caused Felecia to question her “fit” in her role as a teacher, in education, and in her community. She wondered if she could still grow and flourish, and if she was making a difference for the students she served. 

As Felecia’s time as an educator was coming to an end, she and her husband had several conversations around making the change. How would she succeed in this new role? How would a career change affect the family? 

Although it didn’t come without hiccups, Felecia says she couldn’t be happier after making the change from educator to sales manager at North American Title. Her work continues to feed her soul, because she provides options and education for home buyers, real estate agents, colleagues, and others through products and training. 

Felecia shared that the transition was difficult for her family. Her traditional schedule as an educator had her home by 4 p.m., and immersed in home life. In her new schedule, many of her traditional roles at home no longer fit; she worked later hours because relationship building and networking happened after close of business. She and her husband had to learn to communicate differently after the change, and coupled with other ways of looking at things, the new family dynamic took shape. 

The other struggle Felecia shared was the issue around salary. Felecia initially feared not meeting home expenses through the commission in her new role, so she negotiated a base salary comparable to her former teaching salary. This ended up hindering her initial success, and was difficult to negotiate her way out of. Felecia hopes that more women find ways to connect with others in the industry to ask about options, and not hinder their own success. 

Recently, Felecia was named the Denver Metro Sales Manager for North American Title. Join us in celebrating her success!

Ryan’s Story

Ryan graduated from UNC in 1999 with degrees in Journalism and Communication, and a full-time position at Frito Lay. He and his wife met during their student experience at UNC. To support their growing family, Ryan began working at Frito Lay after graduation. Ryan spent nearly 17 years at the company, and although he had a stable position, he desired a better life. Ryan shared that there was a lack of professional advancement in his role, and that he didn’t feel emotionally connected to the work he was doing. While the company was completing a restructuring, Ryan took the change as an opportunity to move into a new industry. 

Ryan recently entered the insurance industry, and although there have been challenges; he and his family mitigate their stress through their faith as Christians. Ryan also shared that the family prepared in many ways prior to his career change including a comprehensive financial plan while Ryan’s business took off.

In our conversations, Ryan spoke to the passion he’s found in his new industry. He is able to use his skillset and values in his work every day, and is able to help others in ways he could have never done in his former role. He also talked about the leap of faith he and his family had to take for him to follow this new path, and the advice he would share with others. “There is no going back. You have to be in and do it 100%. Toes in the water doesn’t work.” Through this mindset, he has pushed himself into taking every opportunity, training, or networking event as a growth into his new life.

Ryan said he would have liked to have a mentor in his new industry, but more specifically, a mentor who had entered the industry within the last three years. This would have helped him learn about the challenges and potential pitfalls of entering a new industry. It would have also provided an opportunity to share insight, ask for feedback, and receive pointers about the first 6 months to a year in the new role. He hopes to remain engaged with UNC and provide that insight along with other UNC Bears as others decide to enter a new industry.

Recently, Ryan joined the Greeley Chamber of Commerce. Help us celebrate this and other upcoming successes!