How to Find a Fulfilling Career

One of the things I’m most thankful for as I wake each morning is having a job that I love. Not only that, it’s incredibly rewarding to be surrounded by people who also love what they do. Virgin is a company that prides itself on a happy, motivated workforce.

Sadly there are a lot of people who are not fortunate enough to have a job which they are passionate about. This was all too apparent when I recently watched a short film on career fulfilment made by my son Sam’s production company Sundog Pictures. There were a few lines that really struck home, in particular one person explaining how a change of career had made them feel:

In my old job I felt like I was plodding every step of the way, but now it feels like I’m gliding through life.”

We would all like to have a fulfilling career, but what steps do you need to take to make it happen? One of the major stumbling blocks for most people is fear, quite understandably. You might have found yourself in a well-paid and highly respected position; even if you’re unhappy in the role, leaving it behind can be a daunting task.

When most people think about taking a risk they associate it with negative connotations, when really they should view it as a positive opportunity. Believe in yourself and back yourself to come out on top. Whether that means studying a course to enable a change of direction, taking up an entry level position on a career ladder you want to be a part of, or starting your own business – you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try.

It can be easy to find reasons not to do something. However you might be surprised by how much help is at hand if you put yourself out there and commit to a project. It doesn’t have to be a case of struggling along by yourself. When we started Virgin Atlantic it was a rather uncertain time, but thankfully I found myself a mentor in Sir Freddie Laker – the Laker Airways founder – who was able to offer some expert advice and plenty of reassurance.

Looking inside the Virgin Group there are countless examples of how members of staff have progressed within the organisation to find their dream role. This year I was lucky enough to meet Danielle Stokes, who works for Virgin Australia and has a remarkable story of career progression. Now a young pilot Danielle used to be cabin crew for the airline, and previous to that she worked in a café to save money for pilot training. The moral of this story? Never give up on your dreams! A fulfilling career is waiting for those brave enough to find it.