1st Episode - Reboot

Abbey and Kate are two country-turned-corporate women who have started a podcast called Reboot. In their first episode, they discuss their career journeys and how they ended up recording a podcast together. They also talk about the transitions in the workforce, particularly the differences between their generations (millennials and Gen Z). Abbey shares her experience of following a traditional path but realizing it didn't work for her, while Kate talks about the flexibility and opportunities that Gen Z has in the workforce. They discuss how the perception of entitlement may not be accurate and how the mindset about career paths has shifted, allowing for more exploration and entrepreneurship. They emphasize the importance of trusting oneself, following intuition, and embracing opportunities in order to find success in unconventional career paths. Hi, and welcome to Reboot, the podcast for the unconventional rethinking their personal brand career and conversations. Welcome to our first episode. The day is here where these two country-turned-corporate gals picked up the mics to share our career journeys and where we get to host other conversations. Hey. Hey, Kato. This is so great. Yeah, guys, so for our first episode, we thought we'd kick things off and share a little bit about our journeys and how we landed here together recording a podcast. And then we'll jump into a topic we could probably both chat for days about, that being around the 2024 transitions in the workforce, and especially around our differing generations, especially as we enter all the workplaces. As a bit of an intro, I'm Abbey, a LinkedIn personal brand coach and content writer at Bold Mood. After spending 10 years climbing the corporate ladder, I realized my true calling is in reshaping the perceptions about personal branding and careers. Now I'm dedicated to showing others how they can use LinkedIn to increase their influence, make a difference, and create their own success. Yeah, and I'm Kate. On LinkedIn, you'd probably see me as a marketing and HR graduate who spent the last few years dipping my toes into the corporate world. But instead, now I'm here, and I jumped off the career ladder to kind of design my journey a little bit more. I was in default mode there for a little bit, so yeah, looking to share experiences on here and help others do the same. So let's jump in. Hey, Ab. Today I'm going to chat about all things generations and how they differ and those in relation to the workplace. Let's do it. Yeah. As you might not be aware, I can speak from a millennial perspective, and Kato can speak from a Gen Z perspective. I feel like they're quite different in the way that how I started my career, where things are just changing now, where people are showing up in the workforce. I just feel like when I first started my career, I was like, I've got to follow this traditional path where I went to a really good school, then I was like, okay, I've got to go to university to get a good job, then I've got to start, I've got to get a corporate job, and I've got to climb that ladder to an executive position. And that didn't really work out for me. So when I first left school, something you might not know about me is I actually started primary school teaching, which is, that's all I ever wanted to do during school. And when I did my HSC, I picked the subjects to complement that. So I studied that for 12 months, and then after, I just realised, wow, okay, this isn't for me. And then after that, I felt a little bit lost, because all my girlfriends were still at uni, and they knew what they wanted to do, and I felt so lost and a bit directionless, because I was like, I'm ambitious, and I know that I'm going to be successful and do really well in my career, but yeah, I just, yeah, I kind of felt that pressure. And then fast forward now, so much has happened, yeah, fast forward like 10 years later, I, this is like in my wildest dreams of me having my own business, jumping off the corporate ladder, and here I am talking to you on our very own podcast, you know, two country girls from the Central West, who joked about creating a podcast for like, over 12 months, which is crazy. But what is, yeah, so I think, so Kato, tell me your perspective as a Gen Z about how you entered the workforce and what your, I guess, what your career trajectory was. Yeah, I feel like as a Gen Z, everyone, I think there's already some preconceived perceptions about us, either you're coming in and we're going to shake it up, and I think we've built a little bit of a reputation to be a little bit entitled, but I also think that we've entered the workforce at a position where so many things are becoming the norm, like workplace flexibility, like learning and development plans, like, we're coming in where the standard is already set there, whereas other people, their entrance to the workforce, like that, those things may have not really existed. So maybe we seem a little bit entitled because we came in when that was already the standard, if that kind of makes sense. Yeah, I do see a lot about this on social media where, like, the Millennials and the Boomers are kind of saying that, the Gen Z are quite entitled, but I just think they are standing their ground, they know exactly what they want, and they know that they don't have to stick to a company to, they don't, yeah, they don't have to stay at a job just to pay the bills because there's so many different avenues that they can go in these days. So, like, they have TikTok at their fingertips where people are making money off, yeah, just like they were born with social media in their hands, and yeah, I just think there's, they're just getting a little bit more creative in their approach to showing up in the workforce, I think, so. Absolutely, and I think, too, like, we've been raised and brought into the workforce at a time where it's okay to figure it out as you go, and it's okay to go down different paths, or to start off, like you said, like, yourself in your uni journey, like, it's okay to start something and then change, like, I started my first year of uni, I started in a double degree of business and commerce, I loved it, I loved economics, but I was like, I don't actually really see myself doing it as a career, like, I don't see myself as being an economist, so I changed at the start of my second year to just a Bachelor of Business, but my majors were marketing and HR instead, so I think we've, like, entered the workforce where it's okay to, like, literally just, if you want to try something out, you can, and if you don't enjoy it, we're, like, encouraged, which is so amazing, but we're encouraged to be like, okay, if you're not enjoying it, go try something else, whereas I think generations in the past, like, you started a career and that's what you had to do, and you were committed to it, and, like, our parents have worked the same jobs for 30 years or so, like. My dad just retired after 25 years in the same workplace, and that sounds like an absolute no. I have a friend whose dad worked, he still works for, has worked for the same company for 37 years. Yeah, that just, that sounds crazy to me, but that's just the generation, like, I feel like things have definitely shifted, especially from my parents' generation where they kind of, like, got a job, paid the bills, had a family, had to support them, you know what I mean, so now the opportunities to travel and entrepreneurship, like, you can honestly, as long as you have an internet connection and a laptop, you can take your career across the world, so I think as well, like, just to kind of weave that in there, so I feel like there is a rise in entrepreneurship as well, so it just kind of allows people to pursue their passion, and a lot of people kind of balance that with, I can speak from experience, they can balance, like, the side gigs that they're creating with their full-time or part-time jobs, and I did that for quite some time, so there's, yeah, it's just, it's incredible how things are just shifting, and there's just so much more opportunities for, like, everyone out there, and I just feel like there is a job for everyone, like, there was no such thing as a LinkedIn personal brand coach probably 10 years ago, you know what I mean, and it's like, I, even five years ago, I didn't think that I would kind of be where I am today, but just, like, following those stepping stones and trusting myself and following my intuition, that might sound a little bit woo-woo to some, but yeah, I've got to where I am by just trusting my intuition and just hard work, pretty much, so, and just, yeah, and just trusting the process, I, when I was in HR and recruitment, I knew that wasn't for me, but I knew it was a stepping stone to get me to where I was, like, I love the career component of it and helping people kind of find, like, find jobs, find, like, a job that was kind of aligned to them and their values, but I think the HR component was a little bit too political for me, especially I did come, I was working from a mining industry, so it was quite male-dominant there, but what I did really love about that, it got to kind of, I got to flex my muscles in the business world and kind of work alongside the marketing team and then I kind of fell into a brand that followed my passion with marketing and then I found my love for personal branding and LinkedIn, so it's just like, when I was, when you're kind of feeling, when you're in that moment where you're like, I'm not where I'm meant to be, it can be quite overwhelming and it can, yeah, and it can make you feel like you're behind, and I did, I did feel like that, I was just like, I'm not where I'm meant to be, like, all my other friends, like, know exactly what they want to do and just had this added pressure kind of thing, and I look back now as if, like, I got to kind of dip my toes in all these different industries and I got to learn the business world at 22 years old, where all my other girlfriends were still studying, working in kind of, like, part-time jobs, yeah. Yeah, I relate to that so much and I feel like it ignites this little spark in me that I'm so passionate about because I feel like in, especially, like, your early 20s when you're trying to figure out your career, there's just so many things out there and you just, I think, well, speaking from experience, you just have this thought in the back of your brain of, like, am I doing the right thing? Is there something out there that's better? Or, like, should I be doing this instead of what I'm doing? Like, it's just so easy to feel so conflicted between career path or even just, like, jobs or, like, I know for, like, when I studied business, for example, there's so many different majors and business can sometimes be a hard thing to study because you don't come out of it and you're not just a nurse. Like, you don't study nursing and you know your end job, like, you're going to be a nurse. Like, you study business and you're like, oh my gosh, okay, there are so many career paths. How do I know which one to go down? So, like, I feel like that's the struggle for so many people is just figuring out what path you want to go down. And if you're, I guess, fortunate enough, like, from my experience as well, where I was able to dip my toes in a couple of different things and people always say, like, you'll always find the lesson or, like, you'll always learn something from those experiences. And I feel like in the roles in, like, in my background in recruitment and HR as well, like, you always, even if at the time you're like, it's not for me, I feel like I want to be doing something else, it, like, still teaches you, okay, it's not for me, but at least I know now that I don't want to do that. So, when I was working as, like, a HR coordinator, like, I, like, enjoyed the role and, like, I'm that person that I'm, like, I'm going to commit myself to it and I'm going to do a good job because I, like, I'm not going to just give it a half go. Half job, Harry. But, like, at least I learnt then, okay, the HR isn't for me. Like, I don't see myself working as a HR manager or anything, but that, like, taught me, okay, I need to, like, broaden my horizons and find something else that I feel more passionate about to go into. And, Kato, the pressure that we felt in school to go to university and because you can't get a good job if you don't go to university. And looking back now, it's like, yeah, uni's really important and it does teach you those foundations of, you know what I mean, because we'd both studied business and I studied communications. It does, like, set up those foundations for you as well, but I learnt a lot more in the job. Like, I learnt so much more about, even just, like, with mentors as well. And I am a self-confessed personal brand, I mean, personal development junkie. Honestly, I think I did get caught in a bit of, like, a loop there for a few years and I spurt myself to a crisp just wanting to unlearn and relearn and I just wanted to be the best version of myself that I could be and I would spend, I'm going to admit, I've spent, like, I've spent, I've never admitted this before, but I've spent nearly about 15K on, like, yeah, on coaches, on, like, business mindset coaches. Which is amazing. Exactly, and I, yeah, I did finish my communications degree, but then I also, I found that your life, career and business is as good as your mindset is. And I found that I had a few blockages holding me back in my career at the time, so I invested in a mindset coach to kind of get, break through those barriers. And then as well as when I started, like, my business, I was like, it was, yeah, I just found it really helpful to kind of, like, have that sounding board to, because, like, you're good at your craft, like, I'm great at what I do, but, like, running a business is a whole different board game, so it's just really cool to kind of, like, have that mentorship who was 10 years senior to me, and it's, like, and that's where I'd kind of, I want to be in the next 10 years, so I was really intentional with who I chose as that mentor. But, yeah, I think there's always, like, pros and cons to everything, and I think uni and TAFE and those, that kind of education is really important in a lot of ways, but I do feel like there is a rise in self-education as well. Oh, 100%. Yeah, there's just so many resources and so much content to consume out there. You've got YouTube, you've got, which is long form, you've got TikTok, which is short form, you've got LinkedIn, where you've got newsletters and articles and people, you could honestly, the content that people put out there on LinkedIn are like mini courses, and it's free kind of thing, so honestly, use your resources, that's what I can say in my experience. I think, too, like, speaking for the Gen Zs, we, I think, are quite known already to be super ambitious and entrepreneurial, and we're going to get out there and, like, figure it out ourselves, so like you said yourself, like, you invested in the coaches and developing your skills, and I feel like as Gen Zs, maybe that's, like, where we feel the pressure as well, because we want to do well, and we, like, really want to succeed, but sometimes it's like the struggle of, like, knowing what path you want to go down, and you just, you know you want to do well, but you're like, okay, so how do I get there, or like, what's the best path for me, and that's sometimes the hardest part of just figuring out, okay, what do I do, who do I learn from, what's the best skills should I learn, like, there's just so much out there. What really helped me in, when I started at my, the last corporate job that I had was, I had a sensational manager. She was incredible. She was so intelligent. She was, I mean, she really cared about my career growth, and not just, oh, yep, here's a thumb on the seat kind of thing, like, we caught up quite frequently. I got to kind of share what my goals were in the next, where I wanted to be in the next year, and even though I would, I, like, your career is in your hands, I did the heavy lifting, but it's always, like, having that influence and having that support there to kind of help you kind of get there, or just be that sounding board for you that's, like, a few years above you, like, that is, that was really important to me in that career kind of thing, and that, I'd probably be in a very different position. Not saying, like, I have always been quite, like, a hard worker and very driven, and don't get me wrong, like, I, that's why I've kind of spent, invested a lot of time and money into kind of my mindset and my self-development journey, but yeah, it does, if you are in corporate or thinking of kind of, like, taking the leap into corporate, yes, the job is important, but make sure you know who is going to be your leader, because that is the ultimate path, I guess, to, is this going to make a difference? Yeah. I, at one point, for context for everyone, actually had the same manager, and she was my first manager in the corporate world, and can vouch that she's incredible. Shout out to Embo, she's going to hate this. Thank you, Emily, which gave me such an amazing start to the corporate, my corporate experience, but also set the bar quite high, and I think as well, though, like, we're talking about finding someone who can help your career development journey and, like, be that sounding board, but I think equally as important, you've got to drive it yourself too, and like I was saying, Gen Z's were quite ambitious and, like, want to succeed, but I guess what I'm trying to say is as well that you've got to want it too, and if you want to, like, grow your career to here, like, yes, you might have a manager who's amazing at helping you recognise, okay, you might need to get these skills to get to here, but you've got to want to show the initiative and the drive to get there, like, that's just as equally as important, because otherwise, like, they're not going to push you as well, and I think they say they might be able to recognise the potential in you, but you've got to be able to, like, willing, be willing to put in the hard work to get yourself there too, like, they can only do so much. Absolutely, and I think as well, like, I studied as I worked full-time as well, so I, and then once I did finish uni, and once I finished uni, then I started my business, so then I was balancing a side gig, I was balancing my side gig, which is now my full-time business, alongside my, yeah, my corporate gig, and my boss was just so supportive of it, like, I just, she always, it was, she was always such a advocate for having your own side projects as well, because she was also running a podcast at the time, and, hang on, I've lost my train of thought. So true, Kato, honestly, that is what I like to remind people, that your career is in your hands. You can have that support, you can have that mentor, all the coaches in the world, but you've got to show up daily, and you've got to invest the time and energy, so I feel like that's why we are where we are today. We have, yeah, we've really kind of put in the work and followed our intuition, and, yeah, we haven't been afraid to kind of roll up our sleeves and kind of get in there and do it. And just wing it. Yeah. I don't think we're winging it out just as much as everyone else. Exactly, and that's, you've got to enjoy the process. I think I'm kind of letting go of being such an over-planner and over-analyzer and over-thinker, and I think my motto for this year is less thinking and just do, and it's really kind of, yeah, just changing my mindset on that has really kind of helped me in my business and making the transition from being an employee to a entrepreneur as well. So, yeah, I feel, look, Kato, I feel like we could chat, oh, we could chat all day about this topic, but look, we have so much content to get through in the next few episodes as well, so stay tuned and, yeah, keep listening. We've got some awesome guests coming up as well. Yeah, definitely some awesome guests and people who are going to share their experience as well, which will hopefully definitely be relatable and give you guys some insight to everything like that as well. But if Reboot sounds right up your alley, make sure to follow us on whichever platform you're listening on, and be sure to check us out on Instagram and TikTok at reboot.pod and on Facebook at Reboot The Podcast for behind-the-scenes catch-up and, of course, some laughs. If LinkedIn is more your style, you can catch us on our personal profiles at Abbie Naylor and Kate Crookshank. Ciao! See ya!