I Used ChatGPT to Plan a Career Pivot, and Found It Empowering
The future of work, and the very concept of a career, is on shaky ground. While technologists and business leaders prophesize over the most likely economic impact of AI, workers are left wondering where their place and purpose will be in the decade ahead.
With a tough job market, the cost of living, the rise of AI and global uncertainty, it's a good time to contemplate your career. You can do this with the help of an AI chatbot, which can talk through your options and come up with a plan.
If you can't handle another week of Sunday scaries, you're experiencing a career calling in another direction or simply want a backup plan if robots take over, use ChatGPT as a brainstorming buddy. You can also chat through how to negotiate a raise, write a cover letter and resume, find a new job and use it as a career coach.
Career change, here I come
This exercise isn't for a role shift or moving around within the same industry. Rather, it's to help guide your thinking if you're considering a complete career change.
Quick caveat: Don't make any important life decisions using only AI. Sit with the chatbot's suggestions, talk to the people in your life, do your own research and ponder on what a new profession might look like.
While I'm happy with my job as a freelance writer (yes, even in the age of AI), I'll use myself as an example of how to walk through the process.
According to the World Economic Forum, there will be 92 million displaced jobs, but 170 million new jobs in the next decade. Meaning the next era will be more about career changes than job losses. I downloaded the 290-page document so I could upload it into ChatGPT to interpret and use in its career shift suggestions. You want to pick lucrative career paths that are on the rise, not in decline.
Log into ChatGPT so it has all the context about you from any previous times you've used it for questions or advice. You might need to feed it more information about your interests, goals and life vision, though. If you tried the "dream day in the life" trend, this is good information to use.
You likely have more of an idea about what you want to do with your life now than you did when you were 18. Use your life experiences and learnings to guide ChatGPT. If you have an idea of the area you'd like to move into next, tell ChatGPT.
If not, start here: "I'm currently a [role] at [company] and have been working in [industry] for [number of years]. I'm interested in [X], [Y], [Z]. What are some different career paths and industries that could be suitable? Use everything you know about me, as well as this attached report to identify lucrative career options."
For me, ChatGPT provided some writer-adjacent career options, like a communications director, policy writer, workshop facilitator or marketing manager. These were still within the communications realm, so I had to specify in my second prompt that I was looking for a complete career change.
But I didn't love what it suggested:
ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET
I told ChatGPT that I'd be willing to upskill and get another degree.
It came up with a behavioral scientist, human-centered AI ethicist, a role in urban design and policy, and a mental health innovator. All of these roles were still very "techy" and not really what I'd be into.
I gave that feedback to ChatGPT.
While the non-tech, high-demand job suggestions were a little closer, nothing excited me. ChatGPT kept trying to push me into sustainability and education. Two noble paths, but neither light me up.
New career suggestions
This time, I told ChatGPT that I have a growing interest in women's health and fertility, after going through IVF. I asked: What are some lucrative, fast-growing career paths in this sector?
ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET
ChatGPT laid out a few possible paths, with training options and earning potential. For example, a fertility coach, patient advocate, policy advocate, head of content for a fertility brand, editorial director for a women's health publication or founder for a women's health venture.
ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET
Now we're talking!
Next, I said I'd slowly transition into this field over the next five years and would be happy to do more study, then asked for more recommendations and a timeline to work toward.
Here's the suggested roadmap:
ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET
ChatGPT/Screenshot by CNET
I asked ChatGPT to tweak the timeline, based on a few changes, and it gave me another updated five-year transition plan. While the plan wasn't perfect, it was 80% there. ChatGPT gave me ideas I hadn't thought of and provided some pretty convincing stats, like what the fastest-growing job categories will be, predicted employment rates, wage potential and median salary.
This was an empowering exercise that everyone should do. It's always good to have a plan B in place. Remember you'll probably have to hold the AI chatbot's hand before it will reach the right path for you -- and then it'll be able to give you ideas and information on what you need to do to get the rest of the way there. Just make sure you also talk to some real people before committing to anything.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
34 minutes ago
- CBS News
UC Davis students can now bottle and sell their wines made on campus to support scholarships
UC Davis students can sell their own wines made to support scholarships UC Davis students can sell their own wines made to support scholarships UC Davis students can sell their own wines made to support scholarships DAVIS -- For 145 years, UC Davis has helped forge the future of the wine industry from the heart of its Yolo County campus. But now, for the first time, the university is finally allowed to bottle up and sell the wines made by students in its Department of Viticulture and Enology. It took a law change to get there and the creation of the nonprofit Hilgard631 for the state institution to legally sell wine. "That's 12 years in a nutshell. I'm glad we are here, able to celebrate this," said Professor David Block. Wednesday night, the department hosted an event celebrating the first-ever release and sale of the student creations. "They can share it with their friends and families, which is something they couldn't do before. So this is very exciting," said UC Davis head winemaker Leticia Chacon Rodriguez. Dozens of supporters showed up to taste-test the wines Wednesday, lining up after to purchase a bottle. "It's a good sauvignon. I like it. This is from a student?" asked one woman in surprise, tasting a delicious white wine. The magic happens from start to finish at UC Davis. Most of the grapes are grown at the vineyard on campus, and they are then fermented in the winery classroom as the students' visions come to life. Each pour represents a sense of accomplishment for those in the program. "There's a lot of pride and just excitement to share it," said student winemaker Naomi Morales. "If you're interested in the way that art and science collide, consider winemaking." Inside the teaching and research winery, their creations are made over the course of 10 weeks. Before this year, the wines made on campus had no sustainable future. "Unfortunately, before, the wine got just poured down the drain," said Ben Montpetit, chair of the Department of Viticulture and Enology. Now, the department is also able to teach students the business of winemaking too as they learn to design their own labels and sell their wines. It's helping raise a glass the the future for an industry seeing declining sales. "There's classes where they are given the freedom to do what they want and they really push the envelope. New varieties, new ways of making wine, new packaging," said Ben Montpetit. Hilgard631 handles public sales, now allowing the transfer of up to 20,000 gallons of department-made wines. The department bottled roughly 500 gallons of wine to sell for this release. All proceeds from the wine sales will support student scholarships. Bottles can be purchased in person only at the on-campus research winery at 631 Hilgard Rd. in Davis.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill' could affect oil and gas
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – President Trump's 'Big, beautiful bill' could pass by July 4th bringing tax cuts, border security, and a boost for Permian Basin jobs. Representative August Pfluger has championed several provisions in the bill to help the oil and gas industry. Energy provisions: Expedited LNG Exports (Section 41003) — Expedites approvals by deeming applications to non-free trade countries 'in the public interest' upon payment of a $1 million fee, eliminating a previously lengthy review process. This streamlining preserves existing legal and regulatory authorities while potentially reducing approval timelines from years to months. Natural Gas Permitting Reform (Section 41005) — Creates a voluntary expedited permitting pathway with guaranteed timelines, requiring agencies to complete reviews within one year of fee payment ($10M or 1% of project cost). If review deadlines are missed, applications are automatically approved, and legal challenges are limited. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Funding (Section 41008) — Provides a $2 billion appropriation for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), including $218 million for cavern repairs, $1.32 billion for oil purchases, and directs the remaining funds to reverse prior mandated sales. This targeted investment strengthens U.S. energy security and reserve readiness. Environmental Provisions: Air Pollution Monitoring Limitation (Section 42105) — Repeals and rescinds unobligated funds from IRA Section 60105, which had allocated $281.5 million to the EPA for expanding air quality monitoring networks. This reduces the EPA's ability to identify new non-attainment zones, limiting additional regulatory burdens. Methane Emissions Program Delay (Section 42113) — Extends the timeline for the Methane Emissions Reduction Program charges by an additional 10 years. Healthcare provisions: Affordable Care Act Exchange Reforms (Section 44201) — Amends the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) definition of 'lawfully present' to exclude Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. This change counters the Biden Administration's May 2024 rule, which expanded ACA eligibility to include DACA recipients, a move with potential legal and financial implications. For more information on this legislative package, visit: Text – H.R.1 – 119th Congress (2025-2026): One Big Beautiful Bill Act | | Library of Congress Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Insider
36 minutes ago
- Business Insider
‘Don't Bet Against It': $4 Trillion in Sight for Nvidia Stock, Says Investor
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has regained much of its shine over the last two months, catching fire once more with a bull run that has boosted its share price by some 50%. Confident Investing Starts Here: This sharp rebound came after a rare rough patch for the AI chipmaker earlier in 2025, when the stock struggled under the weight of tariff shocks, export restrictions, and concerns over reduced capex spending by hyperscalers. The tide began to turn as geopolitical tensions eased and major cloud players reaffirmed their investment plans, restoring confidence in the AI infrastructure boom. A strong earnings report and bullish guidance in late May further reinforced that momentum. However, even with the renewed optimism, not all signals are flashing green. Nvidia's revenue growth is beginning to decelerate – a likely outcome given its enormous scale – prompting some investors to question how much upside is still left. Could this be the point where enthusiasm gives way to caution? One investor, known by the pseudonym Cash Flow Venue, thinks the best course of action is to take a deep breath – and enjoy the ride. 'Let go of valuation concerns and wait for a $4 trillion+ valuation,' explains Cash Flow Venue, who urges investors to simply 'follow the money!' Looking at its recent Fiscal Q1 2026 earnings report, Cash Flow Venue cites the company's impressive year-over-year growth of 69% as a sign that Nvidia has no problem generating cash. Meanwhile, the company's EBITDA for the trailing twelve months has grown to some $91 billion, with the pace of the gains outpacing the rise in Nvidia's Enterprise Value. 'Nvidia's bears often forget that its valuation growth wasn't detached from the business growth. Even more, the business grew more dynamically than the valuation,' Cash Flow Venue noted. And there are plenty of drivers to boost additional growth, the investor hastens to add. With its top-tier hardware, CUDA software, and robust finances, Cash Flow Venue believes that CEO Jense Huang's optimism regarding Nvidia's future is certainly justified. With the pole position in the AI race and plenty of momentum on its side, it's an easy decision for this investor. 'A 'strong buy' business with the best capabilities to capitalize on the new 'industrial revolution,'' concludes Cash Flow Venue (To watch Cash Flow Venue's track record, click here) That's the gist on Wall Street as well. With 35 Buy, 4 Hold, and 1 Sell recommendations, NVDA continues to be a consensus Strong Buy. Its 12-month average price target of $172.36 indicates that despite its recent surge, analysts still see an upside of ~21% up ahead. (See NVDA stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
