Life Transitions – The Career Change

A “career change”? Growing up, I never knew or heard of anyone changing a career. Once an individual selected a particular career path, they rode the wave out, staying there until they received a retirement watch for their 30 years of service to the same boss, company, and industry. Not only was this the norm, but it was also viewed as honorable and a symbol of integrity to do so. 

And while such career choices seemed to be viewed highly by all, there existed a darker side to this lifestyle. Many of the adults I knew were unhappy at work. They did their jobs mechanically, not investing more than the absolute bare minimum required. They would talk about the bore of their workweek on the weekends, despising returning to work on Monday. Yet, nobody did anything about it. This was the status quo.

At an early age, I, like many other children, questioned why someone would choose to do a job they didn’t want to do, especially if they had the choice to change it. If any other aspects of your life cause you discomfort or stress, you do something about it. Why not with your career? On average, we spend a third of our life at work. This amounts to approximately 90,000 hours throughout one’s lifetime.

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A lot has changed since the time I was a little girl. Nowadays, a career shift is not considered unusual. The stigma around it has shifted. Many professionals ask themselves this question along with their career life. It is not surprising to hear that someone has changed their career in their 40s. We no longer question why one would go back to school to start studying something new in their 50s.

I am this person. Over the last 25 years, I chose to transition to different careers. Some were as a result of personal or career growth, some as a result of life-changing circumstances. Each change required additional work and had its challenges, but I never regretted going through the process of transitioning. Each time I went through the transition, I felt a sense of satisfaction based on the personal and professional development I underwent. The only times I felt any regret was when I hesitated and didn’t do anything about it.

“In the end, it is important to remember that we cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”
– Max De Pree

While I cannot say that it was always an intentional and conscious decision, I have never taken a job I was not interested in or didn’t enjoy. I transitioned into different careers once I felt I had outgrown the current position I was in.  To clarify, I am not encouraging job-hopping. I am talking about working to find a career that allows you to grow and use your full potential, to find a job that will give you personal or financial satisfaction. The transitions I am supporting with my clients are the ones that promote growth and personal transformation towards better and more productive lives.

Reasons For A Career Change

Before we explore the mechanics of a career change, let’s look at the reasons for such a shift. According to an EdX survey, the main reason, currently, for a career change is a salary increase. 39% of those who thought about or had already changed careers gave a salary increase as the main reason. Other reasons included unsatisfactory leadership, career dissatisfaction, work flexibility, and change of goals and philosophy. 

However, sometimes a career change comes from necessity. In some cases, a professional will reach a point where they cannot advance further. Other reasons could be such as extended leave due to motherhood, relocation, or other personal reasons.

The Right Time For A Career Change 

Today? Tomorrow? The right time to change careers is when you are ready. If you are asking yourself this question, this means you are already moving in the direction of a career shift. Before you do so, however, you must consider the various aspects of such a transition in order to decide whether it is truly the right choice for you.

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”
– Alexander Graham Bell

How can you prepare well? It starts with careful consideration of your own individual reasons for making such a change and your level of motivation. The more you prepare, the higher your chances for success would be. I have prepared below a few questions to help you examine these factors. 

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• Who wants the career change? Ask yourself if the reason for the change is your desire to move and start a new career or whether it’s the influence of others expecting you to do so (social influence). Suppose you are making the change because others expect you to (external reasons). In this case, your chances of success are significantly lower. If you are not convinced that this is the right move for you, you will likely end up in the same state of dissatisfaction as before. 
• If the decision is yours, ask yourself if you are doing it for the right internal reasons – if this is your calling (link to passion post). Are you doing it because you want to be in this trade long-term or because it is trendy and cool? If you fall under the latter, what will happen when the trend fades away? Make sure you have a long-term interest in this profession and are prepared to invest in developing the skills necessary for success.
• What would a career change mean to you and your close ones? Are you prepared emotionally and financially for the change? The transition will bring some levels of stress and uncertainty. Prepare for some difficult times and setbacks in the process. 

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• Did you take enough time to consider the move carefully? Sometimes we make decisions based on our immediate emotions. If you are planning a significant change, it is good to give the idea some time to rest and settle before making the final decision.
• Have you spoken to people who are in this profession? If you don’t know anyone doing this job, try to connect to such professionals on social media (FB groups, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.)
• Do you have a support group you can rely on during the career shift?
• Do you have a detailed plan for action? Have you planned well what your future will look like during and immediately after the transition? It may be helpful to speak to a transition coach to clarify what is required to make the transition successful. I offer a free discovery call for new clients to explore their options.
• Do you have to take additional courses or training to become qualified for the new career? Research what skills you will need to make you a successful candidate. Many colleges and online platforms are offering in-person and online courses.

“Doing the work you’re meant to do is one of the most satisfying, remarkable experiences that a person can have.”
– Dave Isay

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Conclusion

If you are reading this article, you are likely considering a career transition. New beginnings are exciting, energizing, and at the same time, stressful. Every job transition brings discomfort and uncertainties. However, in these moments, we develop and grow. In these moments, we move forward. If the desire to change is in you, you can make it a success. 

Consider carefully what you want to do and where you want to be in 1, 3, 5 years, etc. Create a plan for action and then take the first step. You will grow and become a better version of yourself. With this, you will improve your life and the lives of those around you.

To me, change means progress. Working through challenging situations gives me a push to persevere and reach the goals I set for myself. 

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” 
– Harriet Tubman

If you would like to explore your options on setting goals and working towards reaching them but you don’t know where to start, please set up a free discovery call with me. I am here for you. You will talk to someone who knows change and has learned how to use it in a positive and powerful way. 

If you have gone through a career change, please share your tips and experience in the comments section below. I would love to learn about your experience and challenges! You can also send me a message.