Rethinking your career? You are not alone

What if I could change my life completely? And if I could do what I love, what would I do? What if I could have more time for myself and my family as I did during the pandemic? What would I do?

“The consensus from learners: the world of education and work has forever changed in profound ways” John Fallon CEO, Pearson

During this period of the pandemic, one of the biggest trend topics for Google search has been “unemployment”, and themes related to the coronavirus. But what caught my attention this week, was a survey conducted by Harris Poll of NY for Person, its Global Learner Survey, on trends in the education sector in 7 different markets: US, UK, Australia, Canada, Brazil, China and India. Some conclusions seem to match what we all can see and are talking about, such as the acceleration in the use of online education and remote work, and the statement that “economic uncertainty will drive more people to upskill and re-skill for job security” and more affordable education. What reaffirms another survey by PWC, showing a trend for mini-courses to ensure affordable skill learning, and focus on immediate skills needed to better job opportunities.

In that perspective Person’s survey shows the percentage of professionals who are rethinking their careers, and among them, Brazil with 76% of professionals and Australia, with 53%, with a 63% worldwide mark. These are revealing data and bring a deep reflection on these new times that we are experiencing. People don't want to work just to get a job and earn a salary at the end of the month. The search for meaning and purpose presents itself with increasing strength, and people are no longer satisfied with a job simply, but with a job that is aligned with their values and purpose. After months of confinement, where many lost their jobs, a large number of people have been looking for self-knowledge, and are no longer conforming to a working system as it was before, as nothing that was will be! Why not start again, now in your own way, knowing who you are, getting back to training in your area, or in a new area?

Many of my clients, and I would say, the vast majority of them, are going through the same process. Some are realigning themselves with the career they have always dreamed of and had deviated from because of circumstantial issues, and others who are rediscovering themselves, understanding who they are, or whom they have become over the years, and even more so, after this pandemic.

The change is usually not easy. We, humans, resist change and our brain is always trying to get back on the path it knows. But it is possible and rewarding to face this journey. The satisfaction that I see in the eyes of every individual who discovers himself/herself, and what direction they want to take with freedom, is fascinating!

It may happen that you leave a career in a gigantic systems company to be a helicopter pilot in Cairns, as a friend of mine ... You never know. But you may decide to start your own business, or change industries. Or, recover that childhood dream that never left you.

The help of a professional like a Life Coach or a Mentor brings more effective guidance on the whirlwind of ideas and emotions from the most indecisive to the most confident people. And the combination of the Coaching with behavioural analysis tools such as Extended DISC, for example, brings out the individual's characteristics in the most diverse situations, conscious and unconscious, making it possible to see new career possibilities or even understand where the points of improvement are for a most satisfying pathway.

In uncertain times, people look for heroes. Real heroes. How about being the heroes of your own journey, getting to know each other, looking for your meaning and your life purpose, sure of the direction you want to take?

Monica Rodrigues Sweeney is a Master Coach and Mentor, Accredited Consultant of Behavioural Analysis EDISC and FinxS, with Master certification in NLP, member of the AANLP Australian Association of NLP, and the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association, Board Director of the ABCC Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce, with over 30 years of Corporate and Entrepreneurship experience.

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