In this episode of Teachers in Transition, Vanessa Jackson explores the themes of creativity, resilience, and unconventional problem-solving using cars as a metaphor for teamwork and thinking outside the box.
Vanessa also discusses the reality of career success, highlighting that it’s rarely a straight path. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to change, recognizing one’s value, and making small but impactful adjustments. Drawing from her recent car-buying experience, she relates how many job seekers - especially career changers - struggle with being overlooked because employers focus on surface-level qualities instead of long-term potential.
She shares a few clever life hacks—like using a tension rod to keep grocery bags upright and a binder clip to keep phone chargers in place—illustrating how small, strategic changes can have a big impact.
Finally, she reviews in detail the Build Phase of career transition, guiding educators through essential steps like crafting a resume, optimizing LinkedIn, building a network, and organizing a job search.
Suggested Links
💡 Interesting Links & Resources:
Connect with Vanessa
Vanessa@TeachersinTransition.com
Leave a voicemail or text at 512-640-9099
Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn!
Schedule a free Discovery Session with Vanessa here
Follow Vanessa on Bluesky @beyondteaching.bsky.social
Visit the homepage at TeachersinTransition.com to learn more!
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The transcript to this podcast is found on the episode’s homepage at Buzzspout
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