A Career in your Suitcase

A Career in your Suitcase

by Jo Parfitt

I am guilty in procrastinating in purchasing this book – regrettably so! I thought because this was my 2nd or 3rd time, as an Expat I did not need it. I put my hands up. I was so, so wrong. I definitely did need it first time round as an Expat. Even more so, in these strenuous and trying economic times I need it now as an Expat, be it that I have been residing in Catalonia, Spain since 2004.

Not everyone is an Expat by choice.

Sometimes the children don’t even get a say. Often the spouse is seeing as tagging onto his /hers better half and dragging the screaming, disgruntled offspring half way around the world.

It need not be a bad thing. This delicately written account is a travelling spouse’s guide to a career on the move. It is worth its weight in gold!

Very early on in the book I was surprised to see the top restriction in coping with a not always plain sailing transition and the up rooting of the family from friends and all things familiar, was not the new language barrier. Personally, I assumed that was everyone’s generic issue – coping with a new language, when our adult brains are no longer like sponges to absorb everything quickly.

Oh no! Work visas and work restrictions ranked away ahead over language and cultural barriers.

The author herself was devastated when passing through Dubai customs, trailing her adoring husband and his career placement, to have emblazoned across her passport the odious stamp “Not permitted to take up employment!

Hugh Francis, (a contributory author to one of the chapters) writes poignantly about the role reversal side in Male Accompanying his Australian spouse. An angle we don’t always consider, but he often became the primary parent-at-home-carer. Yet, this is fascinating reading. Mr. Francis shows how he turned his life around and (was not always soaked up to his elbows in dishes) to earn a living himself. Hugh and his family have led a charmed life thorough dual commitment, determination and being an experienced Expat many times over -and not falling over at the first obstacle!

This book illustrates the issues where partners have previously been on the same equally highly educated, high flying career path and then -wham! The husband’s career flings them from Australia to far flung northern pendulum of Finland. The frustrations of loosing a hard fought, well paid, well respected and going – place – career as a top barrister to what? Ziltch! Nothing, absolutely nothing to do job wise.

This nearly split the couple up. A solution had to be found. So she moved to Helsinki for 5 days of the week and they see each other on a weekend. Maybe not ideal, but it works!

This book is not all about Australians – I am merely depicting 2 examples that gave me plenty to think about. These thoughts have too been perceptively dealt within these pages by Jo Parfitt.

The issues of :

imbalance of careers;

not contributing to the the family income;

not born to be a housewife;

the feeling of loosing your self-esteem; studied to a degree level for a purpose of self-worth and independence.

Furthermore, when your spouse’s assignment of say 3 years, may not be conducive to a prospective employer when considering you for employment for a long term commitment.

Other prominent authors, namely Galen Tinder and Mary van der Boon, have also contributed valid sections to this must read, can’t put down type of book!

So what can you do? Roll over and die? No! Jo Parfitt from page 268 onwards, shows the most brilliant, wonderful and awe inspiring ideas – actually 60 tried and tested one’s.

These may even give vent to more ideas, as you consider each one in their full worth. Don’t scan read them. Read, digest and ponder over each and everyone. Some may seem so simple and so obvious – but why haven’t you tried them then?

Don’t scoff that “Oh Mrs. Thingey-me-bob tried that and failed – waste of time!”

Re-read, re-think and maybe you just need a partner – a new friend or another Expat, to make that idea work . This book details websites where you can go to for help and bring different skills to the table. Jo Parfitt’s Resources Book Section definitely has the Wow Factor!

Jo writes with such insight, personal experience and fluidity. An English lady that empowers people – someone who has bought the T-shirt and worn it many,many times over.

It was after her 3rd Expat move and 10 years abroad (though she has doubled that now) it dawned on her there was a huge void – an enormous need for Expat spouses that were crying out for a gentle nudge (or a huge shove in some cases) to start their own “Career in a Suitcase”.

Jo has always written to survive. Yes, she is fundamentally a born survivor and in Dubai even produced homemade date chutney. Labelled, sold and marketed it was one of her first projects. Remember there are always alternatives – always another way to survive. It may even be so close to home and staring you in the face you cannot see it – so network with other expats and locals.

“First look inside yourself and create a career.”

Discover your strengths, your passions, nurture and network your ideas, maybe even re-invent your own identity, and above all, design your own portable career!

Today Jo Parfitt is a much sort after global speaker. Besides that she helps other writers to edit, re-edit, proof read and to publish their books.

Jo has unwittingly helped me immensely by reviewing one of my books in the Chimona Chronicles’ series. Her support, suggestions and corrections are inspiring. Soemtimes one is just too close to their own work that they don’t see the common, awful errors (which we use in daily speech) depicted in our scribing. This is just one of the ways in Jo Parfitt’s journey as an Expat she has cemented a successful business – all as an Expat!

I strongly urge all Expats (or soon to be Expats) to rush out and buy a copy – either online at Amazon.com or off the shelf. Do not make the same mistake as I did and delay buying it for six years!

If you are writing your life story and need help please contact me.

Twitter@RosieReay

RosieReay@FodenPress.com

(0034)619 772 492

Short URL: http://www.chroniccat.com/?p=539

Posted by editor on 2010-08-18 Filed under August 2010, General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry