Trailer – What is the Career Spark for Moms Podcast about?

Sofia Nunes hosts Career Spark for Moms. She combines her expertise in human psychology and tech entrepreneurship with coaching certification and insights following her career shift after motherhood.

This podcast is a beacon for moms who want to reignite their professional paths. Sofia offers practical tactics and inspiration for navigating career growth, pivoting professions, or starting a business, all tailored to the unique challenges mothers face.

Episodes will delve into effectively leveraging your strengths and skills, transitioning from peer to leader, aligning your career goals, values, and purpose, and other topics that inspire you to step confidently into a career that fulfills you.

Share this podcast with other professional moms, and subscribe so you don’t miss a thing.

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Episode 1 – Career Transitions for Moms are the Canvas for Reinvention

Episode Summary:

A career story and powerful questions to ask yourself for your career transition

Have you ever stood at a crossroads in your career, wondering if there’s more to your professional life?

Maybe you’ve had fleeting dreams that you’ve ignored or ideas that are starting to form more fully. I’m here to guide you on the path of career discovery, whether you want to:

  • Climb the corporate ladder
  • Shift industries or companies, or
  • Launch a new venture of your own

I’m Sofia Nunes — a mom like you, entrepreneur, and coach. My business and podcast are called Career Spark for Moms because all it takes is a spark to start a fire!

I know what it’s like to be a mom and an ambitious professional. Those dual priorities make it more challenging to pursue what you really want for your career.

If you are ready to turn your career longings into action, let’s unravel the roadmap together.

Today, I have a story to share. You might recognize yourself in it. For the full transcript and more resources for professional moms, visit:

careersparkformoms.com/1

The Journey That Brought Me to Support Ambitious Professional Moms

Let’s start this podcast off with a piece of my journey …

I have a background in Clinical Psychology and a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction.

After a brief exposure to the world of academia in Finland, I traded the stability of that job for the emotional and financial rollercoaster of entrepreneurship in 2010, when I moved to Germany to co-found a Fintech company with two friends.

Have you ever thought of doing a big venture like this?

The next ten years tested my limits and offered lessons that no classroom could provide. Those were the most challenging and rewarding years of my professional life until now. I will always remember those days with a big smile.

The birth of my son in 2019 triggered a pivotal shift in my career.

Did having children rock the boat in your career?

I spent over a year in a mix of denial and reflection until I accepted that the company I had helped create and grow was no longer the place where I wanted to spend the next stage of my professional life.

Working with a coach during this time was crucial. He helped me examine my values and reassess my career goals in a realistic and pragmatic way. I looked back at my previous roles in Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, and Organizational Culture and tried to find the thread.

I asked myself:

What did my previous roles have in common that filled me with energy?

It’s an important question to ask and one of the processes I take my clients through in my work with women professionals who are also moms.

At that point, the answer came easily. It was my focus on people, their development, and ensuring that all voices in the company were heard.

That insight, coupled with a strong desire to challenge the motherhood penalty and gender gap, drove me to specialize in coaching mothers.

Your Career Transition Isn’t Just About Work

My transition to coaching wasn’t just about work. It was about making a choice that resonated with the impact I wanted to have and aligned with my experience as a mother and professional.

What about you?

What career path could you take that’s both fulfilling and truly reflective of who you are today?

Consider this:

  • Career transitions are your canvas for reinvention. “What does my ideal professional life look like now that I’m not just a mother but a mother with evolving ambitions?”
  • Every role, every industry switch, and every new venture is a chapter in your career novel. It’s about leveraging your cumulative experiences to write a career that’s authentically yours.
  • Change is not just inevitable. It’s the gateway to your professional evolution. It’s about strategically choosing paths that align with your renewed sense of identity, leveraging the wisdom and skills you gained from motherhood and your previous experiences.

Take a moment to reflect on your career journey.

What does the next chapter look like for you?

Think about the impact you want to have, the non-negotiable aspects for you, how you want to feel, and if there are any areas you are willing to compromise in exchange for others.

Then, identify one area you crave change in and sketch a small, actionable step you can take this week to move closer to that goal.

Your career is a narrative waiting for your next bold stroke.

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Episode 2 – The Secret Ingredient to Turning Career Setbacks into Comebacks

Episode Summary:

Have you ever been overwhelmed by the excitement of a new opportunity, only to be met with a resounding no?

That moment when the anticipation of a fresh start, a new role, or a bold move confronts the stark reality of refusal?

It’s an outcome that everyone who dares to leap is bound to face—a junction where dreams seem to pause and make us question our next move.

Today, we delve into the shadows of denial, uncovering the limiting beliefs that often follow. But here’s the twist: within these moments lies a hidden power, a secret ingredient that can transform them from endpoints to new beginnings.

It’s not just about bouncing back; it’s about jumping forward, armed with insight and a clearer vision.

Join me as we explore how to harness this power, turning the sting of a no into a catalyst for profound growth and renewed purpose. For the full transcript and more resources for professional moms, visit careersparkformoms.com/2

The Silver Lining of No

Let’s talk about spending just enough time with rejection. It’s not about curling up into a ball and dwelling on disappointment but mining it for valuable insights.

Was there valid feedback for you?

Sometimes, it’s less about you and more about circumstances, yet there can be nuggets of truth that help us refine our approach.

To illustrate this, let me tell you the story of a client. Let’s call her Emma.

Emma, a mother of two, was determined to climb the career ladder. Her deep knowledge of her industry and impressive interpersonal and analytical skills made her a prime candidate for a promotion that required leading a team. To increase her chances, she enrolled in management training to address that gap in her experience.

However, despite her preparation and drive, the company passed her over for the promotion. The rejection was a heavy blow, but Emma used the setback as a catalyst for growth. She completed her management training, and together, we worked on strengthening her professional branding and communication skills.

Her perseverance paid off when, just two months later, another company offered her an identical role, recognizing the talent and potential her previous employer had overlooked.

Emma’s path wasn’t straightforward, but her pragmatic response kept her motivated and steered her toward a better opportunity.

Uncover Your True North

Next, ensure your goals are still in sync with your core values. A ‘no’ can be a powerful moment to revisit what truly matters to you.

Is the path you’re pursuing genuinely aligned with your purpose and the impact you want to have?

Here’s a quick exercise…

Think of your main goal for your career. Now, ask yourself, “Why is this my goal?”

Write down your answer, then look at your response and ask “Why” again, digging deeper into your motivations.

Repeat this process at least five times.

With each answer, you’ll uncover what’s truly behind your goal.

Clear the Fog

Denial can blur our vision. Let’s clear the fog. Remember the why behind your career aspirations. Reconnecting with your vision injects energy and clarity into your journey, steering you back on track.

Wisdom in Disguise

Finally, it’s about moving forward with newly acquired knowledge and tactics. Each no adds a layer of wisdom, equipping you with enhanced strategies for your next move.

How has a recent rejection taught you to be more resilient?

In the realm of career growth, especially for moms juggling countless responsibilities, embracing the hidden strength in moments of refusal is essential.

Remember, hitting a roadblock is not an end but an opportunity for deeper insights and stronger comebacks.

 

 

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