For the last two years I have been working as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for an Air Ambulance, creating social copy, taking photos, making graphic, that sort of thing. But in January I handed in my notice to move to a new role that is mainly content driven.
It was a very hard choice to make, to leave a role I really enjoyed, for a really good cause and with such fantastic people. But for me it was time to move on. I felt very unstable about my choice for a while after I made it though and now I’m just hoping it’s the right move. In the hope of helping someone else in a similar position, here’s the reasons that led towards me quitting my job.
Experience
My ambition is to either be self-employed one day and offering social media advice and auditing for business/individuals. OR, the big goal, to work in children’s or young adult publishing, ideally in London. This has been my goal for a long time, but I know it isn’t an easy jump to make and I need me and my CV to be the best it can be.
I’d been in my current role for coming up to two years, which is around the average time to move on apparently. Whether that’s to a new company, or a new role within the same business. Operating within a relatively small charity meant that if I wanted more experience I would have to find a new place of work. I’m excited to be moving to a digital marketing agency, this is going to be a brilliant place for me to work and grow and somewhere for me to really explore my writing and offer my skills to a new industry.
Money
We can’t pretend money isn’t important when it comes to looking for our next career move. Working in a charity, whilst an absolutely brilliant experience, is still a charity. There isn’t as big a budget for pay rises and training investments and I understood that going in. But where I am now, wanting to move out of home and travel more, I need more of an income.
Growth
This can easily link in with experience, but I want to be able to work up through my job roles. Go from being a coordinator/executive to a manger and so on. It was hard to do that where I was because unless my manager left, there wouldn’t have been a role for me to progress into. Essentially I would have remained a Digital Marketing Coordinator for quite a long time.
Moving to an agency will give me more of a chance to development my role and expertise to become a better candidate for growth.
Variety
Going from in-house marketing to an agency is already going to offer me a lot of variety and change. At the moment my marketing experience really does stem to two years in-house. But with my new role I will be learning skills to create material for multiple companies at once. Because of this, my day to day will be really varied and I doubt any day will ever be the same.
I will also have the opportunity to travel to meet clients and be able to interact with new people regularly. I’m hoping this will engage the creative side of my brain more and the active work day will encourage me to come up with new ideas and inspirations.
Location
I’ve been working in the middle of nowhere really, it’s quite an isolated location. Which is a pain for multiple reasons, mainly that it isn’t very accessible and would make moving to a new location tricky for me. It also means there’s limited things around me to do during my lunch break and after work, which yes isn’t the end of the world, but it certainly helps maintain a work life balance.
My new company is based right on the motorway, so I can easily move away from home and not be faced with a super long commute.
Great Post! Sounds like you definitely made the right choice. I worked at a charity and got paid peanuts since I was an apprentice as well.
Being a self employed social media manager gives me a lot more freedom. I’ve worked in marketing agencies before so completely understand why that work would be more beneficial and varied for you. Good luck x
It takes a lot of guts to leave a position you love, stability and people you like working with to take a bet on yourself. In life we take chances. Sometimes good things happen. Sometimes bad things happen. But if we net take a chance nothing happens.
Fantastic post. It takes a lot of courage to move on from something where you know you are happy and risk something new but you’ve definitely got all the right reasons for doing it. Good luck with your new role!
Thank you so much Lindsey!
Congratulations on the new job! It’s so strange reading this as it’s so similar to my experience – I left my charity job in December after a period of illness. I’ve just accepted a new role with an agency and reading your blog has made me very excited to start! Best of luck in the new role x
Aww I hope you enjoy your new role, I’m glad I could help Emma!
This is a great post! It sounds like you made the right choice to me! I know it’s hard to leave a place of comfort especially when you love the people you work with but you have to do what’s ultimately best for you!
Thanks Caysey, definitely a tricky decision but I hope the right one.