Career Exploration and Career Change

We all want it: work that is satisfying, work that fulfills our values, work that earns us the money we need, work that has us feeling fine about Mondays. Trying to determine if you should change careers, and choosing a new career can be challenging. You may have been reading books and making lists, but are still unsure. Or you may know what career you'd like, but can't figure out a way to get there.

I specialize in helping you gain self-understanding, plus knowledge of what's out there, while paying close attention to your feelings and desires, so that you can make a smart, educated choice and get to the career you always hoped you could find.

Assessing your current situation and self

Are you in the wrong career or just the wrong place? Is it the career or the job (or the boss)? Are your own habits contributing to recurring problems? Is your health being undermined by stress? Could you change some things so that your current job or career could still work for you, or is it in your best interest to make a change?

We need to look carefully together at your values, interests, preferred skills, and personality: the important factors covered in so many books. But we also need to give careful consideration to your hopes and dreams, and your responsibilities, constraints, anxieties, strengths and experience — all the things that make you special.

Analyzing employment trends and the job market

Maybe the job of your dreams has only two openings per city. It still may be right for you to target, but you surely want to know the odds before you go for it.

Accessing new resources

I'll suggest resources that will add to your knowledge about the nature of various jobs, the training needed and how you can get it. We'll look at what you can learn by getting a new certificate or degree, taking a course or two, volunteering, or expanding your skill set while in your current job.

Making decisions with your heart — and your head

I'll provide you with some relevant lists of possibilities, and some of additional ideas to add to the ones your initially have. We'll work together to use the decision-making approach that works best for you.

Overcoming barriers

We'll also assess together what might be the barriers to your progress, be they emotional or physical, and work on this important area if you wish to, so that you feel more confident and in control.

Making it happen

Together we'll complete a key step: we'll lay out a step-by-step flow chart of needed actions, along with a tentative timeline, so you'll be action-ready.

Our work together will be challenging, but you'll get the kind of help that even the best career books can't give you, and develop a solid game plan for getting where you want to be.

Contact me to discuss your career exploration and career change options.