Thinking Of Changing Career? Here’s How To Do It Without Feeling Lost

If you are one of the many women considering changing careers, I’m here to tell you that while it might be scary, it is completely realizable. 

Today’s modern career landscape has made it possible to dream beyond getting a job, working away for 40 years, and retiring at 65. More women (58%) dream of leaving their jobs and starting over than men (44%). But many of them are too scared to do it. While 62% of women in mid-to-senior roles want a change, only 18% actually take the leap.

What’s holding them back? For many, it’s the fear of losing a steady income, not being able to support their families, the “you’re not being responsible” potential critique from loved ones, and the all-too-common inner voice—especially in women—that says, “you’re not good enough.”

The truth is, it is possible. It takes careful consideration, planning, and a little bit of faith. Take Vera Wang, for instance, the famous luxury wedding dress designer. She didn’t start designing until she was 40. “If anyone had said, (I’d be) the girl who didn’t get married until she was 40 (and) would build a business based on wedding gowns, I would have laughed,” said Wang. 

She’s not the only one. Julia Child, the French chef extraordinaire, said, “I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate.” 

Get inspired by more women who pivoted later on in their careers by reading our article.

When you were younger, you knew yourself less well than you do now. So it’s no surprise if you’ve finally discovered what fuels you more than anything else, and you owe it to yourself to follow that intuition.

Now, let’s get you from “I have no idea how to do this” to “I have a timeline, I have a plan, I’m excited about this next phase.” 

A lot of career-changing fear comes from financial fear, so start there. Studies found that budgeting and checking in with your financials not only motivates personal financial management but also reduces risk. Putting pen to paper and figuring out what you have saved, what you need to live on every month, and how long you could sustain yourself if your new income fluctuates will help you make an informed decision. 

You don’t need to quit your job to begin this new one. You can take on a small freelance project or two to test your idea in real life. Momentum will build your confidence much faster than projections alone. On top of that, adopting a “fake it ‘til you make it” attitude can give you the push you need. 

Think about it, when you started your current career, you didn’t have everything figured out. Maybe you didn’t feel 100% ready, maybe you were a mixture of excited and scared. While your life looks different now, with more bills and responsibilities, starting something new remains new. So take Tina Fey’s advice: “Say yes, and you’ll figure it out afterward.” 

Creating a timeline is like budgeting for time. Deadlines, even if self-imposed, are known to transform intangible ideas into actionable steps. Allow yourself to dream within the realm of reality and write down your plan and goals. The first one to three months should be about exploration. Then consider entering a build consistency phase before finishing on your prepare for transition period. A timeline allows you to have something real to hold onto, not just a self-promise of “one day.”  

Changing careers is less about having it all figured out and more about being willing to figure it out as you go. You’re not behind. You’re not starting from scratch. You’re starting from experience. All that you’ve accomplished thus far, the skills you’ve built, might be your greatest advantage.