Navigating a career change can feel overwhelming, but approaching it through a therapeutic lens can provide valuable insights and strategies. Whether you are feeling unfulfilled in your current role, seeking new challenges, or simply wanting to align your career with your passions, therapy can help you understand your motivations and facilitate a smoother transition.
Becoming a therapist was not the first mark on my Bingo card. Many different paths led me to where I am today. In certain jobs where it was not a good fit, it is easy to write that off and not look back. However, a wealth of information would be left undiscovered because there are typically pleasant components, even with things we do not like. Below are some first steps to consider if you are thinking of changing jobs or starting a new career. Keeping the below in mind will help make the process more palatable and focused.
Reflect on Your Current Situation
Begin by assessing your current career. What do you enjoy about your job? What aspects drain your energy? Post-COVID, consider the work environment as a factor. Do you want to work entirely remotely, in person, or in a hybrid mix? Consider journaling about your feelings and experiences to clarify what drives your dissatisfaction or excitement.
It may also serve you well to consider interpersonal dynamics in your current workplace. Could these be impacting your desire to leave your current job? What are the characteristics of the relationships that leave you feeling supported and understood at work?
Understanding your core values is essential. In therapy, you often explore what truly matters to you—be it creativity, stability, impact, or autonomy. Take time to list your values and how they align (or don’t) with your current role. Therapy encourages deep self-reflection, helping you identify patterns in your work life.
Explore Your Interests and Passions
In therapy, this can be a space to encourage exploration of new interests. Try taking classes, volunteering, or engaging in hobbies that excite you. This exploration can provide insights into potential career paths you had not considered. This is a great first step to begin your journey on discovering what feels right for you, without committing to something or going into a new role blindly.
Consider your ideal work environment and responsibilities. Visualization techniques used in therapy can help you articulate what you truly want from your career change. Picture yourself in various roles and note the feelings associated with each. Notice what comes up in your body when considering this new space and job. Too often we can get stuck intellecualizing change, rather than envisioning it. The fantasy of what to come can make the process more playful and not so serious to begin with.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting achievable goals is an important part of the process. Break down your career pivot into manageable steps. Consider short-term goals (like networking or skill development) and long-term aspirations (like transitioning into a new field). When you break down the pivot into more digestible pieces, you can see change happening in real time, rather than waiting to land a new job to experience the differences. This is especially true if you are in a job where you are actively unhappy or unfulfilled.
Establish a timeline for your goals. This can reduce feelings of overwhelm and help you stay focused. Just as therapists guide clients to set timelines for personal growth, apply this to your career transition.
Address Fears and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety are natural when considering a career change. Therapy can provide tools to process these emotions. Acknowledge what scares you about this transition, and explore these feelings with self-compassion. It is when we push these emotions away that we are unable to move through them and understand their root and how we may be reacting (or ignoring) these feelings. Change is uncomfortable! If it wasn’t, it would not be real, meaningful change.
Cognitive-behavioral techniques, a therapeutic modality, can help you reframe negative thoughts. Instead of thinking, “I’ll never succeed,” try reframing it to, “I am capable of learning and growing through this change.” This comes back to self-compassion. When we are so concrete in binary thinking, we are limiting ourselves from the nuances that often exist.
7 Emotional Challenges to Address When Changing Careers
Seek Support
Social support is always important, but during a potential career shift you may need even more support. Reach out to friends, family, or mentors who can provide guidance and encouragement. Consider joining professional groups or networks in your desired field. Connecting with others can give you greater perspective and a new understanding of certain aspects of a job, culture, or work dynamics you did not consider before. If you are feeling particularly stuck, working with a career coach or therapist can be beneficial. They can offer personalized strategies and help you navigate the emotional landscape of a career pivot.
Therapy is a space that often leads with questions. These questions can help you slow down and connect with yourself in ways you may be unable to achieve by yourself or with people that are within your circle.
Take Action
Taking the first step can be the hardest part. Start with small actions—updating your
resume, reaching out for informational interviews, or dedicating time each week to learn a new skill.
Celebrate these small wins to build momentum. Be open to adapting your plans as you learn more about yourself and the opportunities available. Flexibility is a key lesson from therapy; it allows you to respond to changes and challenges along your journey. Pivoting careers is a significant step, and it is normal to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. By approaching this transition through a therapeutic lens, you can gain valuable insights into your motivations, manage your fears, and take actionable steps toward a fulfilling career.
Remember, every journey begins with a single step, so take that first leap with confidence and curiosity. Your new path awaits!
Try the O*Net Interest Profile to access how your interests could translate to work
(https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip)
Comments