From circus performer to Co-Artistic Director: A career change story

Carole Demers spent nearly 20 years as a Russian bar flyer, traveling the world before joining Cirque du Soleil and performing in shows including Zarkana, Alegría, and Paramour. For years, she knew she would eventually leave the stage, but every time she considered doing something different, another contract came along. Then the pandemic gave her the push to explore what else was possible. Today, Carole is a co-artistic director of a circus festival and an executive director of a circus company in Quebec City. She went back to university, earned a master’s degree in creative project management, and built a career that still keeps her connected to the circus world, just from a completely different side of it. In this episode, Carole shares what she calls her “soft transition” out of performing, how getting involved in a friend’s project opened doors she never expected, and what it felt like to go from being at the top of her field to being a beginner again._____________________________________________ In this video, you'll learn:▸ Why exploring new projects before you’re ready to leave can make career change easier▸ How getting involved, meeting people, and following your interests can lead to unexpected opportunities▸ What it feels like to go from being highly experienced in one career to starting again as a beginner▸ Why Carole believes there are more possibilities available to artists than they might think Carole’s story is a great reminder that leaving the stage doesn’t mean leaving everything you loved about your old career behind. Sometimes, it means finding a completely new way to use it._____________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Carole Demers  at: https://www.facebook.com/carole.demers.35👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠ : https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.