Comment by ahsweetstuff on October 2, 2017 at 4:20am

Great question, and I would join you in the career change too! Wish I knew so I could tell you!

Comment by TARA49 on October 2, 2017 at 4:22am

Hi
You could be right - Google Lucinda Ellery.
Lucinda developed AU as a child - traumatic childhood of baldness and care homes made her strong and focussed. She is now the owner of s chain of salons, U.K., USA and provides people with all forms of hair loss a variety of hair systems. She's a self made woman with a very lucrative career - and good luck to her, but it wouldn't have come about were it not for her own hair loss. She's an inspirational charismatic woman, not everyone deals with this conduction in a positive fashion - I don't, I hate it but for a few it's life changing in a positive trajectory. Maybe you're one of those positive energy people who will find good in this condition - I hope so. Good luck in whatever you do.
Tana x

Comment by Larry Barbee on October 2, 2017 at 6:52am

I hope you find what you're looking for. I got stonewalled when I tried to get information on how to become a wig stylist. No one answered my questions or even referred me to someone who could. I'm disabled so maybe they didn't think I could "cut it" in that profession (pun not intended but it was still a good one <grin>). I hope you find the information and encouragement I didn't.

God bless,

Larry

Comment by nancy on October 2, 2017 at 7:19am

Just reading your post is inspirational.  You have a great attitude.  I believe you can GIVE meaning to things that happen to you .  With your interest in research and desire to make a difference you will find a way !  Does your original education tie in to AU research or education, publishing, cosmetics, wigs or perhaps inspirational workshops in any way?  I've learned a great deal about myself since this happened to me a bout 7 years ago.  Am still adjusting but becoming less secretive and humiliated by my total hair loss.  I gave myself time to adjust to the complete and rapid change in my appearance and thus self image. there are so many worse things for people to adjust to and I'm attempting to become the positive person I wished I was long ago. not a hero just yet lol. All the best to you !

Comment by Kristinv22 on October 2, 2017 at 11:12am

What a fantastic question! That's the beauty of our career journeys - our career focus is impacted and influenced by how we change personally, how the world changes around us, our current life responsibilities, etc. I'm actually a career advisor so I have these types of conversations all the time. And it still gives me goosebumps because there are so many possibilities out for you and who knows how you will be able to change the world! What you have learned from your struggles with Alecopia can definitely be brought into a new career focus.

When you're on an exploration path, there's three things I recommend: research, experimentation, and talking to people. So first, it's doing some analysis to figure out job options, companies you are interested in, etc. Then it's looking for ways to test things out. How could you do something low-risk that would allow you to see if you're on the right track with your career change. And then talking to people to get real information is sooo important!

If you want to chat more, I'd love to support one of my fellow Alopecians. kristin@careerstory.ca (hope it's OK to leave my email address - I can't remember if this forum has rules about that or not.)

Comment by OnlyChild1213 on October 3, 2017 at 2:06pm

Thanks for all of your comments and insights, and for sharing your experiences!

To respond to a couple points:

Nancy - I have an advanced writing/English degree and my current job requires constant verbal communication and interpreting data... but nothing as directly related as the things you listed. I constantly think about ways to portray my "transferable skills", as they say. And I am with you: as hard as this has been at times, it's just in my nature to think how it could be so much worse!

Kristin: what a fantastic game plan you've suggested. I can't wait to get started. I may send you a personal message soon.

All my best to everyone!

Comment by nancy on October 3, 2017 at 8:40pm

See you do have 'transferable skills! And the attitude to make it happen. I think partnering up with Kristin may just be the network link you are needing . All the very best. I think I'll be hearing about you one day soon! Oh ya today I had a henna cap done and love it so yhere's another alternative to a wig.
All the bestN:)

Comment by Connie on October 20, 2017 at 7:19pm

Have you ever thought about opening your own wig shop?  I have been ordering online for 3 years now because we only have one shop in our area and it's awful. I have found that the best way to find the "right" wig is to try them on in person. Along our hair loss journey we learn so much about wigs that it's wonderful when we can share that knowledge and help others. I can think of so many top selling wigs right now to sell in a wig shop, I may open one myself someday!! I am also blessed to have a hair stylist that cuts my wigs and does an amazing job. Good luck in finding your passion!! Take care, Connie

Comment by Helena Birk on October 30, 2017 at 12:44pm

It's never too late to start doing what you want to and what you're passionate about. As for me I like helping people and give pieces of advice, based on my own experience. if you have passion for writing you can always find a service where you can help people by providing papers for them. I know that edubirdie in Australia does such job and they are always looking for a professional writers. You can also start blogging, you can actually earn money by doing that. 

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