25/04/2023
Do you regret your career in banking? A question I get asked often.
I definitely fell into my first career. I'm not certain why I applied to all the banks, but it was probably because my degrees were in business and economics, and the banks were the employers most prominent at careers fairs.
I've done c. 25 years in banking, had some brilliant times, had some bloody hard times, done the most spectacular roles, and met amazing people. The experience undoubtedly shaped and developed me in a multitude of ways.
It was ultimately ill-health that changed my course in career, and there's no question that the relentless stress and long hours involved in my work over many years contributed to that.
And for a short while, I did fall out with the corporate life, turning my back on it, even resenting it. But that didn't last long.
I got myself well and embarked on re-educating, re-training and forging a new path, whilst still keeping my hand in through consultancy work.
Fast forward several years and many of my clients come from the banking sector. They love that I know the industry, the intricacies of how things really work, and can cut through the noise. And I love that I can help them excel and thrive in that environment. It's a win-win.
So no, I don't regret my first career. I learned so much from it and achieved an awful lot. More than anything, it's enabled my second career. And it will inform whatever path things take moving forward.
So if work feels tough right now, for whatever reason, be assured that a brighter future lies ahead 🙌
