Irina Zaitsev
My catalyst for leaving private practice was that I wanted to spend more time on myself. After working in private practice for over 8 years, I reached the point of wanting to have the time and space to pursue other interests and to do some extended travel. Making the change has meant that I have, for the past two years, been able to spend a few months a year experiencing life in Peru, whilst still taking on some assignments, something I would not have had the option of doing in private practice.
The switch for me was easy – I love the in-house feel, being closer to business decisions, and the variety of assignments which has kept things interesting and enabled me to gain on-the-ground industry insights that I wouldn’t have gained in private practice. I have also found the work to be more interesting and varied than I had initially expected, and I was able to skill up in areas in which I had not had much prior experience.
NOVA8 really cared about my career development and took a long-term view with regards to my career and goals. They worked with me to strategise the benefits of an assignment, the doors it could open in the future and the skills I could develop which would be in demand in the future of the industry. The team at NOVA8 really took my needs into account (flexibility, less than full-time hours, possibility for remote work) and helped structure the assignment in a way that worked for both myself and the client.
I really feel that I am ‘living the dream’ and have the best of both worlds! Through having flexibility and shorter hours, I’ve been able to pursue a host of other interests that have included learning about spirituality and human potential, yoga and qigong, and I am currently doing a course through remote learning. The ability to take a break between assignments has been one of the best things as this has allowed me to organise extended travel on the other side of the world, so that I am able to experience different cultures, slow down from corporate/city life and put things in perspective.
To those who are looking for something new and want more flexibility, I would say go for it. There are better career options than simply the traditional private practice approach! I have absolutely loved it and have not looked back, and I am glad that I made the move when I did. It is important to keep in mind that there may be breaks in between assignments and to be prepared for this but, ultimately, I think consulting is a fantastic career path. I really feel like I am contributing to the businesses to which I am seconded, get a great variety of work, deal with a wide range of people, and have control over the assignments I take on and the industries I work in, as well as the hours and times that I work; all while having the freedom and flexibility to live my life in the way that suits me.