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Fast Company
4 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How to move forward when you don't know your next career step
Some days, the idea of going to work can feel like a heavy weight you have to carry. If you wake up yearning for something more, you're not alone. Many professionals reach a point where they question whether their career aligns with their values, passions, and goals. They ask themselves whether they're living the life they imagined, and if they're doing fulfilling work. It makes sense that we ask ourselves these questions at different stages of our lives. Your career goals at 40 shouldn't be the same as when you were 20. Something needs to change. As two executive coaches who help people discover their purpose and achieve success, we've noticed that this challenge is on the rise. The good news is, you can take steps to mitigate this feeling of purgatory when you're so comfortable doing what you are doing and craving a challenge. The problem: feeling stuck Take Susan, for example. Every morning, she had to peel herself out of bed to face a job she could do in her sleep. There was no challenge, no spark, and a growing sense of dissatisfaction. Susan had reached the top of what she could achieve in her organization. As a loyal employee who spent 18 years at the organization, she struggled to imagine leaving the company she had grown up with over the years. But deep down, she knew it was time to explore a new challenge. Susan's story isn't unique. A recent 2024 study revealed that nearly half of the workforce feels burned out or dissatisfied with their current job. The reasons vary, but the outcome is the same: a gnawing sense that there's something more for you out there. The solution: Ten steps to take action Moving forward when you don't know your next career step—but knowing that you want more and something needs to shift—can be a very uncomfortable crossroads. It can evoke feelings of overwhelm. That's why we've created a road map to help you navigate the uncertainty and move toward clarity and action. Step 1: Admit you're ready for change The first step is acknowledging that it's time to make a move. Susan's inflection point came when she admitted to herself that her current role no longer served her growth or happiness. Naming the problem is the first step toward solving it. Step 2: Find a guide Hire a career coach or find a mentor to help guide you through the process. They can provide clarity, accountability, and a structured path forward. A good coach can help you break down what feels overwhelming into actionable steps. Step 3: Tap into what energizes you Pay attention to the moments when time flies, and you're in a state of flow. What work energizes you? Keep a journal or use the notes app on your phone to track these moments. Over time, patterns will emerge, revealing what excites you most. Step 4: Do a passion audit Evaluate your passions and interests to identify what lights you up. Use tools like Ruth's Passion Audit framework to assess where you draw your motivation, excitement, and where you can best spend your energy. What kind of work makes you feel alive and fulfilled? The Passion Audit helps differentiate between work you're good at, enjoy, would give up, or would do for free. It offers clarity on what work you should keep and what responsibilities you should shed. Step 5: Create a target list using the 3 Ps Build a target list of potential companies or roles by focusing on the 3 Ps: Prospects, Pivots, and Passions, like Mary's MVP 360 Degree Pivot Program This 10-step program uses a proven approach to ensure alignment between your values, your passions, your purpose, and your needs at this stage in your life, including your future career goals. Step 6: Assess your skills and build a learning plan Evaluate your current skills and identify gaps that you need to address. Start developing those skills through courses, certifications, or hands-on experience. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy are great resources for building new capabilities and even have AI tools to help craft your learning plan based on skills you want to learn. Step 7: Network before you're ready Begin exploratory conversations with your trusted network even before you're fully ready to make a move. Networking creates momentum and opens doors to opportunities you might not have considered. Step 8: Look within Sometimes, the best opportunities are closer than you think. Are there roles within your current company that could reignite your passion? By showing initiative and a desire for growth, you might be surprised at the doors leadership is willing to open for you. Mary's client, Adam, explored external opportunities but ultimately decided to stay at his company. His initiative paid off: he was promoted twice and now finds fulfillment in his work. Step 9: Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile Polish your résumé and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most relevant achievements and skills. Reconnect with your extended network and make it easy for others to find and engage with you. Your online presence should showcase the value you bring to the table. AI can help you here too. Step 10: Create clarity around your next steps As you refine your search, focus on roles that align with your values, passions, and skills. Having a clear vision for what's next will help you recognize the right opportunity when it comes your way. Navigating career uncertainty is challenging, but it's also an opportunity to reassess what truly matters to you. By following these steps, you'll not only gain clarity but also set yourself on a path toward work that excites and fulfills you.
Forbes
18-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Teachers Today: What Are They Thinking?
A group of teachers in school corridor. America's K-12 teachers have experienced a notable upswing in morale but have serious concerns about K-12 schools. That's the central message about what teachers are thinking from two polls of public school teachers from Education Week and the Pew Research Center and one poll of public and private school teachers from EdChoice/Morning Consult. These one-point-in-time snapshots help us understand teachers' views of their profession and K-12 education. As the school year draws to a close and we observe National Teacher Appreciation Week, it's valuable to hear the voices of teachers, as challenging and unsettling as some of their perspectives may be. Public and private school teachers report an upswing in morale after years of pandemic-era low morale. Education Week's 2024-2025 Teacher Morale Index of public school teachers registers a plus 18 on a scale from minus 100 to plus 100, a significant rise from last year's minus 13. The EdChoice/Morning Consult poll reaches a similar conclusion for public and private school teachers, saying they have experienced a strong rebound in morale and renewed optimism about their profession. The rebound has its caveats. While job satisfaction is improving, it is still lukewarm. The Pew Research Center poll found that only about one-third of public school teachers are 'very satisfied' with their job, roughly half the rate of 'very satisfied' workers in the U.S. labor force. About 48% of teachers say they are somewhat satisfied, and 18% are not very satisfied. Morale is not uniform across the country. The Teacher Morale Index for public school teachers ranged from a high of plus 47 in Georgia and 43 in Arizona, the most contented states, to a low of minus 14 in New Hampshire, 13 in Oregon, and 10 in Massachusetts, the most disheartened. These differences suggest that national improvement in morale masks pockets of frustration at the state and local levels. Even as personal job satisfaction inches up, many teachers remain pessimistic about K-12 education. The Pew Research Center poll found that 82% of public school teachers say K-12 education has worsened in the past five years. Only 20% expect improvements over the next five years, while the majority (53%) fear it will worsen. In short, public school teachers believe K-12 education is on the wrong track. Teachers cite many reasons for this pessimism, including social and behavioral problems that make their job harder. When the Pew Research Center asked public school teachers about student challenges, three issues topped the list: poverty (53%), chronic absenteeism (49%), and children's mental health struggles (48%). These issues cut across urban and rural lines and are acute in high schools: 61% of public high school teachers cite absenteeism as a major issue. In addition to out-of-school hurdles, there are in-school problems. Nearly three-quarters of public school teachers say discipline issues frequently interrupt their classes. Almost half (47%) report that students show little or no interest in learning. One-third cite frequent cellphone distraction as a serious issue, which rises to 72% among high school teachers. Additionally, basic respect and order are problems. Almost one out of five public school teachers say that student disrespect is a major problem, and a similar number say that students wandering around when they should not is another major problem. Most alarming is the fact that a majority of these teachers have been on the receiving end of abuse. Almost seven out of 10 (68%) report that they have been yelled at or threatened by a student, and 40% have experienced physical violence from a student. Two-thirds feel their school's discipline policies are too lax, and 67% say they lack input on discipline decisions. Despite these challenges, teachers have not given up. One striking insight from the polls is the dual nature of teachers' mindset. They are stressed and overwhelmed yet remain dedicated to their students and profession. The Morning Consult/EdChoice poll captured this paradox. About 67% of public and private school teachers feel a strong sense of purpose and hope when thinking about the future, even as nearly 1 out of 3 say they feel overwhelmed. The stress is real. In the Pew Research Center poll, 54% of public school teachers said it is difficult to achieve a work-life balance. A solid majority (58%) reported "often " feeling their job is stressful or overwhelming. Female teachers feel this more acutely than male teachers. Only about one-third of teachers feel 'extremely' or 'very' satisfied with their jobs. Moreover, only about half of public school teachers (51%) think the public understands that teaching is a tough job. However, two-thirds of Americans recognize that being a K-12 teacher is harder than most jobs, indicating a perception gap between the two groups. The EdChoice/Morning Consult poll of public and private school teachers reports that just over one-third of teachers have considered leaving the profession either a lot (15%) or some (20%), roughly the same as a year ago. Public school teachers are more likely (36%) than private school teachers (28%) to have considered leaving. The Pew Research Center poll reports that as of April 2024, public school teachers were about evenly split over whether they would advise a young person to become a teacher—48% saying they would and 52% saying they would not. However, the March 2025 EdChoice/Morning Consult poll of public and private school teachers suggests this attitude may be easing. It reports, "Teachers' likelihood to recommend the teaching profession continues to rise across all schooling types after hitting an all-time low' in 2024. Teachers are not a monolith in their policy views and are receptive to specific K-12 education reforms. The EdChoice/Morning Consult poll includes public and private school teachers, allowing for a comparison of their opinions on K-12 issues. Take charter schools, independent public schools of choice exempt from many existing public school regulations. Roughly 50% of all teachers strongly or somewhat support them when asked a question that does not describe them, breaking out to 55% of private school teachers and 47% of public school teachers. When teachers are given a description of charter schools, the percentages rise to 62% of private school teachers and 57% of public school teachers. Another example is education savings accounts, or ESAs, which are government-authorized savings accounts for parents that can be used for approved educational purposes. Roughly 60% of all teachers strongly or somewhat support them when asked a question that does not describe them, breaking out to 66% of private school teachers and 59% of public school teachers. When given a description of ESAs, the percentages rise to 81% of private school teachers and 74% of public school teachers. So the claim that teachers resist different approaches to school choice does not reflect this more nuanced reality. Moreover, teachers with fewer years of experience were typically more likely to strongly or somewhat support charter schools and ESAs before and after they were described. Another area of teacher concern is parental support and involvement. Teachers think parents could be more engaged partners in their children's education. The Pew Research Center poll shows that most teachers believe parents are doing 'too little' to help, whether enforcing discipline at home or assisting with homework. This does not mean teachers see parents as adversaries. Teachers want parents and the public on their side. When asked what they wish Americans knew, teachers' answers are simple: We need your support. They ask for trust as professionals, help reinforcing expectations for students, and an understanding that their job is complex and important. America's teachers love teaching and care deeply about their students. But they are strained by the conditions under which they teach. They are cautiously optimistic that things can improve. This improvement effort must focus on rebuilding the K-12 social contract between teachers, parents, and other community stakeholders. It includes a vision where teachers are respected, parents are partners, and politicians focus on problem-solving rather than point-scoring. There are no quick and easy fixes. But as the school year ends and as we observe National Teacher Appreciation Week, if we want strong schools tomorrow, we should begin by listening to teachers today.
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Dear Richard Madeley: ‘If my husband quits the job he hates, our lifestyle will suffer'
Dear Richard, My husband has been having a terrible time at work – long hours, bullying from a senior colleague and a mounting sense his job is 'parasitical' and not worthwhile. He has begun to talk about leaving and using his skills as a freelance fundraiser in the arts. He is the major breadwinner by some margin, and I'm not in a position where I could arrange for my earnings to increase to plug the gap in our finances. We live comfortably; indeed there is a sense that we are 'self-medicating' with meals out and holidays. We ought to be able to content ourselves with a simpler life, and my husband says he'd be so much happier if his day job wasn't getting him down that a more frugal existence would be a small price to pay. I, for my part, am not so sure. We can't move somewhere cheaper as both my job and his possible future one require easy access to central London. Neither of us is much of a cook. I have made encouraging noises about this still-vague plan, and I don't want to chain him to his present job as I can see how unhappy it makes him. But I worry that, to put it bluntly, if we're skint we'll both be unhappy. What can I do to prepare for this change if and when it comes? And am I letting him down if I push for a cautious approach? — Tommi, via email Dear Tommi, Quite understandably, you are worried about your joint happiness – or rather lack of it – if your husband quits his job and your income falls. But how much longer can he go on like this? And what impact will his growing discontent have on you both? Fine, he's picking up a decent pay cheque. But at what cost to his peace of mind? By your account he has no faith in what he does (who wants to think of themselves as a parasite?). He's working killer hours in a job he increasingly hates. And to top it all, he has a bully to contend with. How would you feel in his position? And crucially, how would you feel if your husband put his arms around you and said: 'I can't bear to see you so worn down and miserable, my darling. Quit. We'll survive.' There. I've written you the script. Can you say it? You can find more of Richard Madeley's advice here or submit your own dilemma below.
Bloomberg
07-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg At the Money: Career Changes with Bill Bernstein
What does it take to undertake a significant career change? How can you shift from a safe but unsatisfying job into one that you love? William Bernstein, founder of Efficient Frontier Advisors, is both a neurologist and a professional investor. He is also the author of numerous books on investing and economic history, including 'The Four Pillars of Investing' and 'The Delusions of Crowds.' Each week, 'At the Money' discusses an important topic in money management. From portfolio construction to taxes and cutting down on fees, join Barry Ritholtz to learn the best ways to put your money to work.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Change Careers Without Regretting It
Changing careers can feel risky, here's how to do it the right way getty The thought of walking away from an unfulfilling career can feel exhilarating until fear creeps in. Fear of pay cuts. Fear of starting from scratch. Fear of making a move you'll instantly regret. As exciting as a career change can be, the idea of risking everything you've built can feel heavier than staying stuck where you are. But the truth is, you can make a career change without losing the seniority, stability, or success you've worked hard for in your career. Here's how to navigate your next move with clarity, and avoid a career change you'll regret. A total career overhaul might sound appealing, especially when you've been feeling unhappy in your career for a while, but you don't need to change everything at once to make a successful pivot. Before committing to a massive shift, ask yourself: 'What's truly missing in my career right now?' While reflecting on what's missing, break it down into three core categories: the work itself, the company, and the culture. Often, it's not all three that need to change. It's likely one or two. Maybe you enjoy the work but need a culture that values your voice. Or maybe the company is solid—you like their products and services, but the work no longer excites you. Identifying the true gap helps you determine whether you need a full industry change or simply a more fulfilling role at a better company. When you're clear on what you genuinely need to thrive, you're less likely to overcorrect and more likely to make an intentional, aligned move. One of the biggest mistakes I see high-achievers make when navigating a career change is focusing only on what they hate. But it's equally important to consider the qualities you enjoy or maybe even take for granted in your current role. Skipping this step is often how people end up in a new role that solves one problem but creates another. For instance, let's say you currently enjoy a high level of autonomy and work with a collaborative, supportive team. But, you overlook those things because you're so focused on better compensation. You could find yourself in a new job that pays more but feels stifling, isolated, or overly rigid, landing you right back at square one. To prevent this, before you jump into something new, take a step back and ask yourself: 'What parts of my current job, company, or career do I like, or at least don't mind?' It's easy to ignore these things when you're focused on escaping, but making the right next move will require you to have a list of things you'd like to keep, too. Don't discredit your expertise: If you're worried that changing careers means starting from scratch, one of the best ways to avoid that outcome is to stop undervaluing the experience and knowledge you already have. Instead of assuming your skills don't translate, get curious. What roles or industries value the expertise you bring to the table? For example, I worked with a client who wanted to move out of product management. Instead of making a complete 180, she realized that pivoting to a consulting role in a more fulfilling industry would allow her to leverage her existing skill set, without sacrificing seniority. Once you've identified roles that align with your strengths, don't default to lower-level positions just because you're entering new territory. If your expertise holds weight, and it likely does, you can position yourself for senior-level opportunities where your experience is seen as an asset, not a liability. Changing careers can feel risky, especially when you've worked hard to get where you are now. But you don't have to throw everything away to pursue something more fulfilling. The key to a successful pivot isn't starting from scratch, it's knowing what to change, what to keep, and how to lead with the expertise you already have. Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure new positions they love without applying to jobs 24/7, starting over or settling for less. Grab her dream job guide.
