Thursday, July 22
9 a.m. to Noon
> Register
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the past three months show an intriguing trend: more people are quitting their jobs than are being laid off. It’s a surprising reversal of the previous 15 months, where the stats showed quite the opposite.
Whether they’ve already quit or are planning to quit, many workers are reconsidering their options. But there’s more to quitting than simply handing in your two week’s notice. Successful quitting requires social, financial, professional and emotional planning.
From career coaching to networking to dealing with post-cubicle panic attacks, we’ll examine the anatomy of a successful quitter.
Special Skype guests: Michelle Ward of When I Grow Up, Chrissy Scivicque of Eat Your Career and Chanelle Schneider of There From Here.
Agenda
Basic flow: I’ll spend a relatively small chunk of time talking about myself + my career path, and after that I’ll become the “MC” and focus on the interview guests (and their expertise). I’ll set aside about 5 minutes for Q&A with each guest, and encourage audience members to share their experiences and stories throughout the event. I’m hoping it’ll be a vibrant dialogue, not The Alex Franzen Show. 
9 – 9:15 am: Introductions (all around the room) / explain what CoCo is (for non-members) / networking / present the morning’s schedule.
9:15 – 9:35 am: I’ll share my “quitting story” and present some tips + resources. I’ll touch upon three main topics: financial, emotional and social preparation. Warning: there will be PowerPoint.
9:35 – 9:55 am: In-person interview with an HR professional (TBD). Topic: How to quit gracefully (and leave your bridges intact).
{ BREAK: 5-10 minutes }
10:05 – 10:30 am: Skype interview with career coach Michelle Ward of When I Grow Up. Topics: Creative careers, day jobs and “Renaissance Souls.”
10:30 – 10:50 am: Skype interview with career coach / nutritionist Chrissy Scivicque of Eat Your Career. Topics: When to quit, when not to quit and what to do when quitting is impossible.
10:50 – 11:05 am: Skype interview with Chanelle Schneider of There From Here. Topics: Quitting and Generation Y, career shifts for college non-grads.
{ BREAK: 5-10 minutes }
11:15 – 11:45 am: In-person interview with Dr. Annie Peters from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies. Topic: Psychology of a quitter, do you hate your job (or are you just depressed?), stress management and healthy coping strategies.
11:45 am – 12 pm: Wrapping it up: final Q&A + reiterate contact deetz for all presenters + plug CoCo one mo’ again + coffee + chatting!
Alexandra Franzen is a freelance writer + editor + organization freak. She designs rockstar resumes, leads personal branding jam sessions, writes marketing copy for individuals and small businesses, and teaches wallflowers how to hustle like a gangsta’. She quit her cubicle gig on April 1st (no joke), and her sanity is still intact.
I left my job 8 years ago. I have to say these last 8 have been the happiest of my life. Once the initial crushing panic is gone and the work begins it is a real joy.
You go, girl! Hope you can make it to the event. I’d love to hear your story …
I quit my job 2.5 months ago to launch my first company The “Adholics”. Seemed crazy at the time but I Couldn’t be happier.
I’ve been running my own business now for more than 5 years and it’s been great. Looking forward to the talk!
I quit my job just under two months ago to pursue my talents and ideas; it was one of the best and most significant professional decisions I have ever made in my life. There are always unknowns in life, so calculated risk taking, while not for everyone, is extremely rewarding. Sometimes you just have to do what Richard Branson’s book title says, “Screw it – Let’s do it!”
I would like to make the leap and go out on my own. So, if anyone needs art direction/graphic design for themselves or their clients, please let me know and perhaps we can work together.