Miserable. Depressed. Trapped.

This is how I felt 5 years ago. I had been in a finance job for 13 years that was going nowhere, at a company whose culture was rooted in the 1970s. I had no degree, and a fear of leaving rooted in a complete lack of appreciation for my talents and commitment. I was on autopilot. I had no idea what to do.

Then one Friday evening I received a call that changed everything: “How would you like to work in recruitment?”

I knew nothing about recruitment or management consulting, and it was a million miles from where I’d come. A completely different pace with far more pressure, but with a culture rooted in teamwork, understanding and camaraderie. I threw myself into the role, started brightly, and even broke the company record for the biggest ever fee with my first deal. A record which still stands today! I was in my element.

Happier. Confident. Appreciated.

Then the bottom fell out of the market.

Clients stopped using us. The deals started to dry up. I started to struggle, my mental health getting worse with every failed final, every offer rejection. At this time I had a lot of upheaval in my personal life, and I found myself thinking, “have I made a mistake?”. The old fears crept back in. I lost all confidence in my ability to turn things around.

Remember that culture of understanding I mentioned earlier? My boss Matthew was fantastic. We sat down and discussed everything, and I was offered a different role in research and marketing. Something more stable that would allow me to focus on my mental health whilst also feeling able to contribute.

It took a while to adjust, but it was the best decision I could have made. My mental health started to improve again, I was hitting targets, improving quarter-on-quarter. I was back.

As I reflect on my 5 years at Ascent, I think back to the person I was before I made the leap, and how proud he would be of the person I am today. The person who doesn’t give up when they fail, the person who isn’t afraid to ask for help when needed. The person who believes in himself.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the employment of a company that truly cares. Ascent took a chance on a 35 year old with no degree and no relevant industry experience. When things went wrong, they didn’t write me off. They found a way for me to work to my strengths, and I thrived. How amazing is that?

I look forward to the next five years, and the challenges they may bring. I might not know what is to come, but I’m no longer afraid of finding out.

Planning a career change? It won’t be easy, but it might just be the best thing you ever do. You could end up like me.

Proud. Resilient. Grateful.

By Rich Liddiatt