APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.
Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who wants to quit their highly paid job for a career helping others
Q: I’m looking to change my well-paid corporate job for a public sector position, as I’ve realised I want my day-to-day work to involve helping people – plus, my current role involves lots of 12-hour days and absolutely no work/life balance.
But all my friends think I’m an idiot for giving up the generous salary that I’ve worked so hard for over the past seven years, just to pursue something that “feels more fulfilling”.
I know I’m really lucky that I’ve built up some savings, so I can afford to take a lower salary for a few years, but now money isn’t my motivation, how do I decide what my skills are worth so I don’t feel taken advantage of?
Sophie
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My new boss makes me feel worthless – how do I deal with such a micro-manager?
A: Success evolves as your life does – something many people forget.
You’ve spent seven years building financial security, which has given you something incredibly valuable: choice.
If purpose now matters more than another pay rise, don’t apologise for it.
However, meaningful work doesn’t mean accepting less than you’re worth.
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Your leadership, commercial judgement and experience don’t disappear because you change sectors – they remain valuable, and many public or charitable organisations need those skills.
Do your research, understand typical salary ranges and negotiate confidently.
Your friends aren’t wrong to question a big decision, but they’re judging it through their priorities, not yours.
Money is important, but so is waking up on a Monday morning feeling motivated, rather than drained.
That’s a definition of success worth pursuing.
- Got a careers question for Karren? Email [email protected].