My first job at BlackRock destroyed my confidence.
Because it was a bad fit.
It didn’t align with my interests, values & inherent strengths!
But that all changed thanks to this:
1. Switching Roles
When I first joined BlackRock, I was placed in a data-driven role.
Monte Carlo simulations weren’t my thing so I looked for a new role within BlackRock.
As I enjoyed being around people, I switched to a more sales-oriented role by doing product strategy in the Hong Kong office.
This new role rebuilt my confidence but ultimately, it was just a stopgap.
2. Side Hustles
I didn’t stop at just a new role in BlackRock. I also explored side hustles to figure out who I was outside my day job.
Beginning with my childhood love of fashion.
I launched with a fashion blog charting the kind of corporate wear that I was experimenting with (while at BlackRock).
The blog never went anywhere, but it became a ‘stress reliever’ outside of work and eventually, a portfolio that allowed me to jump from BlackRock to a fashion startup in Singapore.
That was when my mindset and perspective of the world really began to shift.
3. Taking the leap
Doing a fashion blog on the side is different from actually working in fashion.
To figure out what I truly wanted, I took a massive 50% pay cut!!
Took on a role I’d never done before - which included launching StyleTheory’s Hong Kong office (while pitching a fashion rental business idea to a hotel).
I was starting to come into my own.
4. Talking to people
I surrounded myself with people who were confident, loved what they did and were unafraid of building an unconventional career.
One of the main ways that I did so was by launching my CTRL ALT CAREER podcast.
That led to an avalanche of queries from people who wanted me to help them with their own career pivots.
5. Seizing Opportunities
From switching roles to side hustles to taking the leap and talking to people… it’s been a whole journey.
And an organic one too!
What I’ve found is that as you go along this journey, doors start to open. For me, those doors were people who wanted my help in making their career pivots.
That eventually led to the launch of my career coaching business.
A business that I launched because I was getting so many clients who wanted my help and were seeing life transforming results.
The kind of results that made everything leading up to that point worth it.
Because it is.
And now, I couldn’t be more different to the old BlackRock Jennifer Ong because this Jennifer Ong is stronger.
More confident & secure in her career than ever before.
It took me a while, but I’ve found my ikigai. And built my dream career about that.
So if you’re struggling to find your ikigai, contact me IKIGAI!
It is possible to rebuild your confidence & build a dream career that makes me feel like you wouldn’t have to work a single day of the rest of your life.
