If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to start over with a new career, you certainly aren’t alone. People often dream of taking that leap, but many are hampered by the fears of what might be.
Yet, one business owner has told Newsweek why a “career squiggle” could be the best decision you make.
Like many people, Helen Tupper, 41, started with a graduate scheme and climbed the corporate ladder. At first, it felt like a “ready-made route for progression,” but as the years went by, she felt frustrated that she wasn’t using her skills to her full potential.
Tupper, from the U.K, spent several years as a commercial marketing director and her career was progressing well. But for around six years, she was also building her company, Amazing If, as a side project, until she felt ready to risk her stable job for a career pivot. She felt that the desire to “unlock the learning” she was striving for greatly outweighed the fear.
“For a lot of people, it’s fear that holds them back,” Tupper said. “Confidence gremlins tell them that they might fail, they don’t know enough, they’re too old to change, or not good enough to pivot into a new profession. These beliefs get in the way of action.”
She continued: “For other people, they can’t see beyond where they are and what they do now. They need some additional support to see where their talents could take them and to have curious conversations about their career possibilities.”
The Benefits of a Career Pivot
Indeed, Tupper suggests that the people who go through a career squiggle in their 40s and 50s will actually be “healthier and wealthier” afterward. She explains that a career pivot can extend employment opportunities, and it could improve salaries and working conditions.
The bestselling author founded her company Amazing If with Sarah Ellis, working with companies, including Microsoft and Levi’s, to help people harness the skills needed for a career change. They are on a mission to show people that career paths don’t have to be linear.
Of course, changing jobs isn’t an easy decision, but Tupper’s advice is for people to consider what their biggest motivator is and what will help them thrive.
She told Newsweek: “Thinking about what motivates you and gives you the most energy should act as a compass for your career. All your opportunities should be assessed against this to ensure it’s an opportunity you are going to enjoy and be impactful in.
“Invest in your community because most opportunities will come from a conversation. Also, focus on progression over promotion. Promotions are attractive, but they aren’t the only way your career can develop. Think about progression first and you’ll find far more opportunities,” Tupper continued.
Keeping Career Squiggles Realistic
In January, Tupper appeared on the Making Money Podcast with Damien Jordan and Timeyin Akerele to remind people that it’s never too late to start something new.
This message was of particular interest to Jordan, 36, who told Newsweek that people tend to carry a lot of “sunk-cost fallacy” when it comes to career changes. There’s a perception that changing direction later in life equates to failure, but the podcast host wanted to help people feel empowered to do what’s best for them.
Jordan said: “As a society, we need to discuss careers better. We should be telling people in their 20s to try lots of things and quit if they don’t like them. Sticking it out is terrible advice when you have no idea what you enjoy.
“Why do we feel that the path we choose in our early adulthood should define us forever? We wanted to tell people that it’s OK to want something different, and in fact, it can be a very good idea financially,” he continued.
The idea of a career squiggle making people healthier and wealthier didn’t surprise Jordan, as he believes that people who take a leap of faith will benefit from a major confidence boost. Not to mention, those people will likely want to prove themselves and work harder to achieve their ambitions.
Since the podcast episode was shared, they’ve received plenty of responses from listeners who felt freed from the shackles of an unfulfilling career.
While Jordan says it’s never too late for a career pivot, they should also be realistic.
He told Newsweek: “If I’m 70 and I want to become a doctor, I’m unlikely to reach the top of my field simply because of the time it takes. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it. Also, people are working later into life than ever before, so that’s something to consider.”
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