36: Can AI Solve Your Career Change?

Find the full transcript and other resources at SpaceToShiftYourCareer.com

A few years ago, I joined a gym. I was convinced that having access to ALL the equipment, all the classes, and all the expertise I could possibly need would transform my fitness. But I still had to show up. The gym wouldn't do the workout for me.

These days, I use an online training course. For this stage of my life - with a child, work, volunteering and everything else that comes with that - it’s a much better fit.

The point is: The training course isn’t inherently better than the gym. It’s only better because it suits me at this point in my life.

I think the same thing is happening right now with AI. Not to mention online courses, workshops, books, and all the other tools available to support career change.

Everyone seems to be asking: “What’s the best tool?”

But is that the right question?

Let's talk about that.  

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Yvonne Davidis helps public sector leaders develop exciting career options that align with who they are now and how they want to evolve in future. 

With 20+ years of moving countries, working for the UK and Denmark across three continents, plus professional coaching certifications, Yvonne is a unique specialist for leaders in the public sector considering their next chapter.

Book a 90-minute Jumpstart Session to clarify your deal-breakers and must-haves for a more satisfying work experience.  

For step-by-step support on your career change journey apply here for Yvonne's 5-month Find Your Career Space programme, and she'll be in touch to invite you to a free discovery call. 

Transcript

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A few years ago I joined a gym. I was convinced that having access to all the equipment, all the classes and all the expertise I could possibly need would transform my fitness. The problem was I still had to show up. The gym wouldn't do the workout for me. These days I use an online training course at home. For this stage of my life, with the child, work and everything else that comes with that, it's a much better fit. It saves me the commute for one thing. But here's the point. The training course isn't inherently better than the gym. It's only better because it suits me at this point in my life. And I think the same thing is happening right now with AI. Not to mention all the online courses, workshops, books, and all the other tools available to support career change. Everyone seems to be asking, what's the best tool? But the better question is, what will work best for you? Let's talk about that. You are listening to Space to Shift Your Career, a free resource for leaders in the public sector wondering what's next. I'm Yvonda Vides and I've created this podcast to invite you to explore new paths that reflect who you are now and how you want your career to evolve in the future. I have a talent for creating a high trust space so you can reflect, think out loud and test your assumptions. And I love helping you explore, dream and discover new possibilities for yourself. I moved country several times and I know what it's like to change careers, both within and out of the public sector. And I'm a trained career change and executive leadership coach. I've been working with career shifters as a mentor since 2013. And as a coach since I started my business in 2022. Now subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes. Now let's go. One thing I've noticed is that many public sector leaders are wondering whether AI can help them figure out their next career move. The short answer is yes and no. AI is useful for certain parts of the process. It can help you generate ideas, research industries, compare sectors, prepare interview questions. I use AI myself for brainstorming and research, for example. But here's where I think people sometimes get confused. Having information is not the same as creating change. Most leaders I work with aren't stuck because they lack information. They are stuck because they are trying to answer questions like, what do I actually want now? What am I no longer willing to tolerate? What kind of a life do I want my career to support? Why am I hesitating to make a move? Those questions are more personal and often more emotional. Think about all the books you've read, the courses you've bought, the webinars you've attended. How much of it did you actually implement? Because implementation is where things get interesting. Some people are brilliant self-directed learners. Give them a course, a framework, a checklist, and they will run with it. Others learn best through conversation, by testing ideas out loud, by having someone notice the assumptions they can't see themselves. Neither approach is better, they are just different. The important thing is knowing which one works for you. So instead of asking, can AI solve my career change? Ask yourself, where am I stuck? If you're stuck on information, AI and online courses may be exactly what you need. If you are stuck on clarity, confidence, accountability, your identity, or decision making, information alone may not be enough. You may need reflection, conversation, feedback and support. Because some challenges are easier to navigate with another human being beside you, an honest thinking partner, someone who holds up a mirror, who challenges you, who holds you accountable, and who celebrates milestones with you. Now there's one other consideration worth mentioning. Many career conversations involve deeply personal questions, your fears, your ambitions, your finances, your relationships, your doubts. Everyone has a different comfort level with sharing that information online. Some people are perfectly comfortable discussing these topics with AI tools. Others prefer keeping those conversations between themselves and a trusted human. It is worth making a conscious choice rather than simply clicking accept and assuming someone else has thought about it for you. So can AI solve your career change? Sometimes it can help, can accelerate parts of the process and save you time and money. But no tool can decide what matters most to you. No tool can tell you who you are and who you are becoming. And no tool can take responsibility for the choices you make. That's still your job. So as you think about your own career change, I invite you to consider three stages. One, information, two insight, and three action. AI can be a great tool in the information gathering stage. Insight is about what that information means for you. And about understanding yourself. What matters to you now? What are you no longer willing to compromise on? What kind of contribution do you want to make next? That often requires reflection, experimentation, and honest conversation. And then comes action, turning those ideas into reality, testing assumptions, overcoming your fears and potentially having some difficult conversations, generating possibilities that are a good fit for you, making decisions and following through. So ask yourself, which stage am I actually stuck in right now? Do you need more information? More insight? Or more action? Because once you know where you're stuck, it becomes much easier to choose the right support, whether that's AI, an online course, a book, a trusted friend, a coach, or a combination of all of them. The goal isn't to use the latest tool. The goal is to find the support that helps you move forward. Until next time, next space, rediscover you, and then take action. Thank you for listening today. You care about solving real problems and making a difference. And you feel it's time to figure out in what way you can do that in the next chapter of your career. Learn more about how I help leaders in the public sector break to four limiting beliefs about shifting their career. It's space to shiftyourcareer.com. And if you're getting value from this podcast, please do share it with other public sector leaders who are considering what's next for them.