Now more than ever, we’re living in times of change. The pandemic has shifted our understanding of the workforce. People have started to prioritize family and child-rearing. They’ve changed careers and uprooted to new areas. As a woman, you have unique concerns as you think about making a mid-life change.
For example, you might be worried about how caring for your children factors into a new career. Maybe you’re concerned that you’ll struggle with new technologies. Above all, you might be thinking it’s simply too late. Here’s how you can rethink your career change and approach it with confidence.
Take action
It might seem simple, but the first step to making a huge change is to own it. Instead of staying stuck in the same rut you’ve been in for years, acknowledge what it is you’d like to change about your career. Do you feel ready to follow a passion project? Do you want to go back to school, or change your area of focus entirely?
Don’t wallow in the limbo state of what might go wrong. Don’t catastrophize. Instead, envision what can go right. Change the way you think about your life instead of talking yourself out of taking action.
Make a plan
After acknowledging that you need to make a change, be specific about what it is you want to do. Make a list of questions that you may or may not already have the answers to.
What are my strengths and talents?
What can I see myself doing ten years from now?
What makes me happy?
What do I feel passionate about?
Who do I want to help?
What issues to I want to address?
What would make me feel the most productive in life?
Who is in my support system?
Keep journaling about these questions and any else that may arise on your mid-life journey. Allow these thoughts to guide you into making a more solid plan for your career change.
Learn necessary new skills
While you won’t necessarily need to go back to school for every kind of career change, it might be a good idea to beef up your skill set. Look at the course offerings at your local community college, either online or at night. Attend webinars or certification courses. Spend time learning on your own by reading or listening to relevant podcasts.
If possible, find a mentor in your newly chosen field. You also don’t need to hyper-focus yourself on learning new things that will only pertain to this new career. Let your interests guide you. If you start to feel passionate about something, see where that takes you!
Develop a new network
Many times, women will hesitate to make a career change because they feel they just don’t know the right people. It can be intimidating to make entirely new connections in an industry you’re unfamiliar with. In reality, you can start by relying on the people you already know.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the people closest to you and ask if they can help connect you with people in your new field. If you’ve been taking classes, meet with the instructors and students. You might also look into volunteering for a cause adjacent to your new industry and meet people there. Your social circle is never static or fixed. You can always expand it with some work!
Moving forward
Making a mid-life career change is a daunting task. As you build your confidence to take the necessary steps, you might also consider therapy to guide you through these decisions. Major life changes can be tricky and can both positively and negatively affect your mental health. Talk therapy sessions can help you analyze your life and approach to this shift in your profession.
To find out more about how a licensed therapist can help you make big changes, please reach out to me for women's counseling.
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