From Architecture to Entrepreneurship: The Power of Transferable Skills
Are you feeling stuck in your current career? Maybe you're considering a change but don't know where to start. If that's the case, let me share my story with you - from architecture to entrepreneurship, and the power of transferable skills.
I started out like many other young professionals, fresh out of university and eager to make my mark in the world of architecture. It was a challenging but rewarding field, and I loved being able to bring my creative vision to life. However, as time went on, I began to feel like something was missing. I knew deep down that I wanted to run my own business, but I had no idea where to start. Or what I wanted it to be about. All I knew was that I knew nothing about running a business, sales, or marketing.
So I decided to take a leap of faith and step back from architecture. To start exploring other career paths that could bring me closer to being a successful business owner. I moved from Lisbon to London and embarked on a Career Change Accelerator for 3 months. Soon after that, I got my first job in an entirely new field, working for a social enterprise. From there, I moved on to sales and marketing roles, working with a variety of products and start-ups and developing both my business acumen and communication skills.
Then Covid happened. By the time the second lockdown came in, I was just about done with sales. I was extremely burned out, my drive was gone and I was working with no creativity or passion involved whatsoever. Which led me to take another step back to re-evaluate what my next career move would be. I started making lists, thinking about what, at that stage of my life, could fulfill my wishes. And something clicked. I realized that I could combine my love for graphic design with all the business savvy I had picked up over the years to create something truly unique - my own brand, Vago Designs. So I dived right into it, taking online courses, seeking out business mentors, and learning from my own experiences. Pretty much just soaking up as much knowledge as I could.
So, how have I actually transferred the multiple skills I’ve picked up along the way to my business?
What you need to be a brand strategist and designer:
Brand strategists and designers are responsible for developing and executing effective brand strategies that help businesses achieve their goals. To excel in this role, you need a variety of skills, including:
Creative and Visual Skills- To have a keen eye for design and aesthetics. To be able to create visual designs that capture the essence of a brand and communicate its message effectively.
Communication Skills- To be able to communicate effectively with clients, team members, and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the brand strategy is executed effectively.
Strategic Thinking- To understand the client's business objectives and develop a strategy that aligns with those objectives while also taking into account the competitive landscape and the target audience.
Research and Analysis Skills- To be skilled in researching and analyzing data. This includes understanding the target audience, analyzing market trends, and staying up to date with the latest design trends and techniques.
Project Management Skills- To ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and to the client's satisfaction.
Adaptability and Flexibility- The branding landscape is constantly evolving, and brand strategists and designers need to be adaptable and flexible to keep up with the latest trends and technologies.
The skills I built along the way:
Architecture- Producing graphic work with the same programs I used as an Architect (Adobe and 3D software). Aesthetics, color, placement, and hierarchy theory. The critical thought process, and problem-solving attitude that came with the field. Project Management. And a minimalistic, geometric, and clean approach to design that still guides all my current projects.
Advertising & Digital Marketing- How to communicate certain messages through the power of storytelling and graphic/audio/video formats. How to create visually appealing content that grabs the audience's attention. Data & Market research and analysis strategies. And the ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions.
Sales- How to implement a sales pipeline and client flow. How to proficiently do initial client calls, build a solid relationship with prospects from the get-go, and negotiate and close them. Understanding the needs of your target audience and how to communicate the value of a product or service to potential customers in a way that resonates with them.
No wonder I became a Brand Strategist and Designer, right?
How can you understand what skills you have and transfer them?
Do this simple exercise to gain clarity on your career path:
Grab a paper. Split it into 3 columns. Left: Previous jobs/careers. Middle: Skills. Right: Career ideas.
In the left column, list all of your previous jobs and careers.
In the middle column, write down all of the skills you've gained from those jobs - even the small ones. (Tip: And if you don’t know exactly what skills you have, reach out to your friends and previous colleagues and ask them to give you a list of 3 things they feel you are good at. I did this myself, and I can tell you I had the most interesting replies, which filled my list with a bunch of attributes I had not even realised I had.)
In the right column, list career ideas that align with your skills. If you're not sure what careers would fit your skill set, do some online research or ask AI tools for help.
Once you've completed this exercise, take a break and let it simmer for a bit. When you come back to it, you will find that everything starts to fall into place.
Still unsure?
I speak from experience - this exercise was a game-changer for me. And I can promise you will get some great career change ideas out of it.
When I went through the process myself, I ended up on a long 1-hour call with a previous manager I admired. On the call, I asked her for some insight into what it was like to work with me, and what she thought I could be good at. We spoke about different career paths, eventually landing on remote and creative work.
After the call, I jumped online and saw an ad for a course about building the work life you want, from anywhere in the world, with a focus on digital graphic design and branding businesses. It seemed like a sign- I literally had just spoken my wishes into the universe and something like that jumped right in front of me. So I took it.
A couple of weeks later, post-course, I knew exactly what business I wanted to create. 6 months later I launched Vago.
Last Thoughts
Looking for a fulfilling career is not always a linear, easy path. My own journey hasn't been leisurely- and I have to say that Imposter Syndrome has kicked my butt quite a few times along the way. But looking back, I wouldn't have it any other way. My unconventional career path has taught me that transferable skills are the key to success. They're what makes you stand out in your own special way and connect with what’s around you on a deeper level.
And I hope the same happens to you. Your path will be yours to carve, but if you're feeling stuck in your career or considering a change, I hope this helps you get, at least, in the right frame of mind to take the leap. Don't be afraid to embrace your journey and all the skills you've picked or will pick up along the way. You never know where they might lead you.
That's the beauty of carrying a variety of aptitudes within you. They give you the power to pivot and reinvent yourself, no matter where life takes you.
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Thinking about switching careers but unsure of where to start? I’m happy to give you some ideas, drop me an email at info@vagodesigns.co.uk.
