Career Pivots
On changing course and courage.
As I approached my 30s, I began an extensive period of self-reflection and life assessment. This introspection deepened during the pandemic and further intensified during my sabbatical. My career had long been the driving force behind my life decisions, but when I found myself unhappy with both my career and life, I realised I needed to make significant changes.
I gradually reconnected with my core values, analyzed what I had enjoyed and disliked in my previous experiences, explored different areas of interest, and engaged in self-discovery exercises. Initially, I took a job that didn't align with my findings simply because I needed an immediate change. However, after a year, I decided to quit and dedicate time to focusing on myself and working towards a new direction. It takes time, but I’m taking steps to move to a new career path. Although I'm not starting from zero, as I can leverage transferable skills and remain in a similar industry, I would still be stepping out of my comfort zone and into a less senior role.
In my last newsletter, I discussed how society dictates our definitions of success, particularly in our careers, where success is often seen as a linear, upward trajectory. This mindset prevents us from exploring, following our evolving interests, and letting curiosity guide us. We're often afraid to leave a comfortable career or abandon a high-ranking job that brings status, fearing how it will be perceived.
Luckily that’s changing. Millennials and the Gen Z are not interested in doing the same job for the rest of their lives, and the pandemic brought to the front discussions of work-life balance and prioritising happiness and well-being. When my brother announced his intention to pivot and start over, I remember my father having issues understanding why we associated our careers with a desire to find meaning and happiness. For him a career was a way to provide for his family and have stability. Our generation clearly sees it differently. We spend the largest part of our days at work and need to feel fulfilled.
When thinking about career transitions, I realised that I knew quite a lot of people who made a switch to a completely new field and was very excited to hear their stories and witness their trajectories.
In today’s newsletter we will explore the motivations behind making a career change, the fears and challenges that come with it, and the strategies for successfully navigating a transition.
Career pivots in context
A career pivot is not merely about changing jobs; it’s about going into a new career trajectory, which will require jumping into a new role and/or industry, learning new skills and experiencing new challenges.
Reasons for pivoting careers are diverse and multifaceted, often reflecting broader societal shifts and personal realisations. The COVID-19 pandemic served as a significant catalyst for many, as this forced pause allowed us time to reflect on our ways of living and priorities. With the apparent fragility of traditional job security and a routine that left very little space for our personal fulfillment, the pandemic helped us gain a new perspective about our careers and life goals. This period led to what has been called the "Great Resignation," where millions of people left their jobs due to low pay, no career advancement opportunities or toxic work environments. Millennials, in particular, have been at the forefront of this movement, driven by a desire for careers that align with our values and provide a sense of purpose. Unlike previous generations, we prioritize fulfillment over stability, seeking roles that offer both personal and professional growth.
Another key factor driving career pivots is the increasing awareness of mental health and well-being. The pandemic highlighted the importance of work-life balance and self-care, leading many to reconsider high-stress jobs and opt for careers that offer better working environments. The shift in societal consciousness towards sustainability and social impact has also encouraged individuals to pursue careers that make positive contributions to their communities rather than simply focusing on financial gain. Moreover, the rise of remote work and digital nomadism has expanded the possibilities for career transitions, allowing people to explore new fields and roles that were previously inaccessible.
The evolving nature of education and continuous learning has made career transitions more feasible. There are now countless platforms available to us to take free or affordable online courses, boot camps, and certification programs, that allow us to acquire new skills and knowledge, enabling us to pivot to entirely new fields without the need for traditional degrees. This democratization of education has empowered people to take control of their career paths and make bold changes that align with their evolving interests and goals. Additionally, the rapid advancement of new technologies, particularly AI, will slowly reshape the job market and concerns for current jobs and skills to become obsolete force us to adapt and develop new skills to stay relevant and competitive.
Recognising the Need for Change
Career pivots often begin with a recognition that something fundamental needs to change. For many, the motivation to pivot arises from a combination of lack of motivation and meaning, constant stress, and limited growth opportunities. A friend of mine working in sales & marketing decided to become a detective. She had always made career decisions by elimination and let herself be guided by opportunities that arose but felt it was time to pursue something that had been in her mind since high school. During the pandemic, she reflected more deeply on the meaning of life and realised she wanted to do something useful that would also challenge her. Similarly, my brother found himself stuck in a job with little prospects, low pay, and which was mentally and physically draining. He craved a role that was more reflective and strategic, something that would push him out of his comfort zone and that would be more aligned with his interests.
There can be many reasons for pivoting, but the first step is to recognise the need for change and honor our intuition when it tells us that our path is somewhere else.
Planning and taking action
Once the need for a change is identified, planning and putting things in motion become crucial. This can involve taking courses, making an internal switch within the current company, leveraging transferable skills, and extensive networking.
For my friend, the decision to pivot came with a looming deadline due to an age limit for enrolling into the academy. She put all chances on her side by applying in two different regions and started to prepare herself physically and mentally. Despite her fears of being surrounded by younger people and potentially not securing the job she wanted, she found comfort in the fact that she would have no regrets for having tried.
My brother took a structured and proactive approach by seeing a career coach over several sessions to work on his limiting beliefs and explore his interests. He networked with professionals in his desired field to gain a more concrete understanding of the position he was interested in and took a side job in his desired industry for a couple of hours a week. After being more confident with his decision, he enrolled in a specialised course and reduced his work hours to facilitate his transition. After completing his course with honors, he found an internship, followed by a permanent contract.
Pivoting can also be somewhat serendipitous. A friend pivoted to HR, an idea she had had in mind, but which really developed while she worked on specific HR-related projects as a stakeholder. She expressed her interest in redirecting her career to the HR team lead, who offered valuable advice and internal support. This included the opportunity to test the waters by temporarily replacing someone in the desired role before making the switch to a permanent position.
There probably isn’t a right way to plan for a pivot as it will depend on the type of career you want to pivot to and your personal situation. The idea of a career change can develop organically through our current work, reminding us to stay open to opportunities and express our ambitions. Just as it can be through a new found interest or something that we have pushed to the back of our minds for years. This can either require us to be fully committed by making an immediate switch or it can be a slower process as we gather insights from our network, gain some practical experience and take some classes, all the while remaining in our current careers until we take the plunge.
The Challenges
Career pivots come with their own set of challenges. Emotional and psychological barriers often emerge, such as the fear of being out of touch with younger colleagues or the anxiety of starting from scratch. The fear of not succeeding and grappling with the insecurity of whether the efforts invested will ultimately land us the jobs we covet are significant hurdles. Financial considerations also play a significant role, as transitioning to a new field may involve temporary financial instability. It can be exhausting and requires dedication and resilience to move from a position of confidence in your skills to one where you must acquire an entirely new set of skills and constantly prove yourself in a new environment.
Despite these challenges, the people I spoke with felt a sense of pride in pushing beyond their limits and being challenged again. They were driven by having new objectives and proud of their achievements.
Support from mentors, friends and family can be incredibly helpful, providing comfort and encouragement during the transition. Building confidence through small wins and remaining focused on long-term goals helps in maintaining motivation and perseverance. And sometimes, our pivots also need a dose of good timing and a little luck.
It’s about courage
After reading about career pivots and discussing with people around me who have taken a chance on themselves, I feel like a lot of it comes down to courage. Being brave enough to listen to our internal voices, to put our desires first, to try, to overcome a lot of fears and assumptions in order to make a big life change and be happier.
Leaving careers that make us unfulfilled requires self-awareness and the willingness to confront discomfort and uncertainty. Being vulnerable, embracing the possibility of failure and the reality of starting from scratch are all part of the journey. Yet, those who take the leap often find great pride and accomplishment in going out of their comfort zone.
Pivoting careers is a testament to our capacity for growth and reinvention. In a society that imposes us its traditional definition of success, pursuing work that aligns with our values and aspirations is nearly a defiant act. It’s about finding a path that feels authentically ours, that resonates with our multifaceted selves, where professional achievements are not just about status or financial gain, but about personal fulfillment and happiness.
A career pivot is not just a professional transformation but a deeply personal one. It’s a journey that requires courage, resilience, and an unwavering belief in our potential to create a life that truly resonates with who we are.
Have you been through a career pivot? If yes, how was your experience? If you’ve wanted to pivot but haven’t done it yet, what prevents you from trying? Share your story in the comments or send me a message!
If you want to explore more on the topic:
The Great Resignation turned into the Great Reshuffle.
GenXers are pivoting to their dream jobs too.
10 lessons from individuals who have changed careers.
7 stories of dramatic career pivots.
Strategies for achieving a career pivot this year.
Why taking a pay cut for a meaningful career was worth it for these 3 millennials.
Quote of the Week
I keep coming across TikToks using this quote as their sound, and I found the message particularly relevant to our pursuit of fulfillment in life and career. It resonates with our constant doubts about being on the right path and our desire to break free from the societal expectations imposed on us to live according to our own desires.
You're going to realize it one day-- that happiness was never about your job or your degree or being in a relationship. Happiness was never about following in the footsteps of all of those who came before you; it was never about being like the others. One day, you're going to see it-- that happiness was always about the discovery, the hope, the listening to your heart and following it wherever it chose to go. Happiness was always about being kinder to yourself; it was always about embracing the person you were becoming. One day, you will understand that happiness was always about learning how to live with yourself, that your happiness was never in the hands of others. It was always about you. It was always about you.
Bianca Sparacino, The Strength In Our Scars
The Roundup
A curation of the most interesting resources I’ve consumed in the past 2 weeks.
📖 What I’ve read:
Life Sabbaticals - Is doing nothing the secret to happiness?
Will our jobs become hobbies thanks to AI? Elon Musk seems to think so.
Can third places be the antidote to the lonely home-work-home routine?
Ditching traditional work to build a portfolio career.
It’s time to rethink career trajectories, the future of work is not linear.
🎧 What I’ve listened to:
IdeaCast: On following opportunities and embracing change at any career stage.
Good life project: How curiosity and nature can unlock potential you never knew you had.