Midcareer Change: Moving from Success to Significance
By: Mary Sue Reining
Introduction
Modern progress has provided unmatched affluence, education, technology, and entertainment along with comforts and conveniences other generations could only dream about. Yet more and more people feel like air-traffic controllers out of control.
According to Dr. Richard Swenson, M.D., the conditions of modern-day living are eroding the "margins" or boundaries of life.? The attainment of "success" as defined by position, power and accumulation, has driven more and more people approaching their midcareer years (age 40-55) to evaluate their lives and to make midlife course corrections. According to Peter Drucker, when people reach their mid-forties, the work they know and love is no longer as challenging. Individuals need new stimulus. More and more people are realizing the need to add "a parallel career"; they want to discover the opportunity in which they can serve their values by putting to work what they are good at, using the strengths, knowledge, and experience they have already attained.2 "Midcareer is the time when questions about meaning in life begin to take on greater urgency," says Peter S. Moskowitz, founder and director of the Center for Professional and Personal Renewal in Palo Alto, CA.3.
This paper will address the emerging awareness of midcareer professionals who have discovered that there is more to their career than success alone; professionals who want to follow their passion and pursue those things that represent significance. Journalist Leo Rosten stated it this way: "The purpose of life is to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have it make a difference that we lived at all."4 The definition of career success now includes the desire to make a lasting impression in some way.
Recognizing when it's time to make a change
Many in their mid-30s to mid-40s do not have the same career goals, aspirations and values as they did in their early 20s. One should reflect on what he wants from his work and life experiences. The midlife years, also referred to as the "mid-life inventure" presents an opportunity to reexamine one's life and to ask the sometimes frightening, always liberating questions, "What do I want?" "What do I feel?" "What must I do now to feel right with myself?" "What are my dreams for myself and what fears have blocked me?" Through answering these questions, one has the opportunity to redesign himself.5
J. Neapolitan identified four factors that lead to a career change, two factors that lead to the "desire" to change jobs and two factors that result in the "willingness" to change jobs.6 The two "desire" factors are: (1) dissatisfaction with one's current job or occupation, generally due to a misalignment of current opportunities with significant needs, desires, or goals, and (2) having an attractive alternative to one's current situation. The alternative is thought to provide a better fit with one's needs, values, or abilities than the current job or occupation. The two "willingness" factors are: (1) the identification of the many obstacles that must be overcome, and (2) the confidence to overcome the obstacles. These obstacles may be financial (a salary cut, loss of income in a new business venture), time-related (the time required to train for a different occupation), or psychological (the uncertainty and insecurity about becoming competent in a different field).
While these factors relate to anyone at any stage of their career, Harry Levinson identified a number of reasons why people make midcareer changes.7 These include:
Reaching a career plateau
• Becoming obsolescent
• Becoming bored
• Feeling underutilized
• Recognizing that the original occupational choice was inappropriate
• Dissatisfaction with oneself as a person
• Overevaluation of oneÕs own competence and worth
• Intense competition for status with friends and acquaintances
Levinson stresses that before embarking on a midcareer change, one must understand his motives, his ideal image of himself, and the nature and extent of the changes he will have to undergo if he decides to shift career direction.
If one is willing to take risks and face new challenges, he can continually recreate himself to meet the changing circumstances of the ever-unfolding experience. The invitation of the "mid-life inventure" is to become aware (unpack his bags), accept responsibility (repack his bags), and risk the journey of life to which he is destined. To begin this trip, one must first take an inward journey to the heart, the mind, and the soul.
Releasing the past / Finding the future
Some people who make midcareer changes jump from one profession to another, hoping the new situation will be more fulfilling than the old one. Other people let their boss, their relatives, their peers, their company, or the government direct their career. Then they blame others if they are not happy with the results.
Before launching into new careers, more and more career counselors are recommending that people take sabbaticals or extended leaves from work to evaluate their career aspirations. Others suggest periodic times of "solitude". John Ortberg suggests that solitude, the practice of doing "nothing", or refraining from society is a weapon against the lethal environment we live in. "American society is filled with ideas and values and pressures and temptations about success and security and comfort and happiness that we will not even notice unless we withdraw on occasion." 8 Allowing this time to decompress between careers will help transition from the stress of the past career to the more satisfying new career.
While there are many popular lists that predict the hottest jobs for the future, a meaningful career change should be a personal endeavor, not a popularity contest. A successful career change involves using experience as a teacher; finding something that one is really excited about; seeking advice from others in that field; researching potential employers, clients and industries; and creating opportunities for oneself.
Abby Snay, the executive director of the Jewish Vocational Service in San Francisco, a non-profit employment counseling service, suggests that people who are contemplating a career change should make a list of short and long-term goals and consider both career and lifestyle changes.9 While some people might be set on finding jobs like their current or previous positions, others might want to consider alternatives such as going back to school, entering the non-profit world or scaling back to spend time with family. "The important thing is to figure out what you want and where you want to go," Snay said.
Undergoing a self-assessment is a critical part of identifying one's ideal job and work setting. The process of self-assessment never really ends. It is an attitude in which one constantly strives to understand himself better and think carefully about the opportunities that are available. Self-assessment is part of a growing and maturing process that should occur throughout the entire span of a personÕs career.
There are many different types and methods of self-assessment. Self-assessment includes three different dimensions: (1) qualifications (marketable skills), (2) interests (values and goals) and (3) interpersonal style (interactive ability).10 The goal of self-assessment is to align oneÕs work with their natural motivations and talents, in a compelling environment, working with interesting subject matter, and relating to others in a comfortable way.
Developing a strategy
Successfully pursuing a midcareer change involves taking responsibility for oneÕs own decisions and remaining action-oriented. It is also important to allow plenty of lead-time for the transition; it usually takes six months or longer to make a good midcareer change.11 The latter is true particularly if one decides to develop and add new skills to their repertoire. A surge in university enrollment of nontraditional graduate students suggests that this is a popular route for midcareer retooling. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, about 60 percent of the nationÕs part-time graduate students are ages 30 to 50.12
When one decides to make a career change, he is more likely to be successful if his decision involves informed and effective planning. A career change is like a marketing project; planning, research, promotion and persistence are all required to achieve success. Putting together a resume and responding to newspaper ads is an incomplete approach to career change Ð a strategy must be developed. This strategy must include: (1) a career goal (what you want and expect to achieve), (2) objectives (short-term goals that must be achieved in order to reach your career goal), (3) milestones (steps that must be completed within specific time frames in order to reach your goal) and (4) activities (specific tasks that must be completed to fulfill your milestone deadlines).13
Employment experts say one of the most important things midcareer job seekers can do is to keep busy.14 Doing work on a short-term, contractual basis might be a way to generate income and potentially find a new job. Volunteer work is another option.
Embracing the future
At this point, it's time to drown out the voices of friends and family who may warn against radical change and leap forward. Making that midcareer jump can bring on "panic about possibly not becoming all that one desires to be in middle age", says psychologist Ravenna Helson, PhD. "But that same panic can motivate you to break out of a rut and approach your career with renewed creativity". She also suggests that people aim for enjoyment rather than fame and fortune in a new career path. That usually brings more fulfillment than viewing it as "oneÕs last chance to make his mark in life."15
Shifting from one career path to another is an involved process, entirely different in every instance. It can be lengthy, even traumatic. Almost always, it is a test and a challenge. The people who make the transition share common traits. They are keen and thorough. They are creative information gatherers, researching heavily and constantly, and in several directions at the same time. They seize opportunities when they present themselves.16
Good problem-solving skills, a willingness to be true to oneself, and equal measures of patience and fortitude can guide one to a passion-driven career. A passion-driven career has some major virtues that make it a good choice for many people. First, it is never dull. It involves continual learning about oneself, other people, business, and the world. Second, a passion-driven career is good for oneÕs employer because the employee is there for the love of the work. He can feel satisfaction from giving his all to the organization. Third, a passion-driven career, with its flexibility, makes sense in the ever-changing landscape of the new economy.17
Case Studies
Amanda Gimble and Randy Komisar are two people who have made midcareer changes to pursue their passion and achieve greater significance.
Amanda Gimble, a 51-year-old former first vice president and co-leader of Merrill Lynch's corporate-strategy group, began 2002 by launching a new career. She was one of thousands of Merrill Lynch employees who accepted the company's buyout offer in October 2001. If not for the events of September 11, Amanda's decision, involving a big shift in priorities, might never have occurred. Accustomed to routinely putting in 70-and 80-hour weeks, she recognized that "Life was work, and work was life". Faced with the option of leaving Merrill Lynch, Amanda discovered she had another passion, writing. "I realized how limited time is and I no longer wanted to put off doing what is important to me." Ultimately, she chose the uncertainty of writing over her familiar career in business, knowing she may not succeed, but recognizing that it was truly her passion. Amanda recommends trying out a new venture, as she did during a three-month sabbatical, before making a full-time commitment.18
At age 39, Randy Komisar was struck by how little time was left for the rest of his life. He was always sprinting, always meeting a deadline, always in the critical path, subsisting on adrenaline and caffeine. As a chief financial officer (CFO) of a startup software company, Randy had no time for reading, cooking, traveling, music or art, and little time for his wife. Judging by what was in the bank, one would conclude Randy was well off, but he still felt poor and incomplete.
Finally after incessant years of go, go, go, Randy wanted to pause. He wanted to figure out what he wanted to be. Without actually realizing it, Randy had given up on the idea of a career. According to Randy, "What was a career anyway? I had many fascinating jobs and had built a life to be proud of. It was time to let go of the notion of climbing and just accept the fact that I was on a long and winding journey. Where I would go next was entirely my choice." Randy learned a number of key things as he made this transition from successful CFO to a free-lance "virtual CEO". First, he had to learn to live with a murky business identity. Second, he had to come to realize that living modestly must be a deliberate choice in this time and place Ð it's like a discipline. "Today, my comfortable lifestyle is dictated by what I need to be happy, not what society prescribes as the trappings of success. None of these feel like sacrifices. They feel like rewards for the life that I've remade. They reflect who I am, not what others say I should be."19
Summary
With the dawning of a new century, one's approach to work-to his professional goals, the very concept of "career" and the definition of success - is being reshaped and redesigned. Just as corporations are "reengineering," today the individual must "re-career". Through a process of repackaging his talents and interests, he creates and custom-designs a career path that reflects his personality, personal values, skills and life-style objectives.20
The quest for "How will I make my living?" is a lifelong journey, but one which people don't take until they're ready and not one moment sooner. Being ready usually means feeling a level of pain or frustration for which repacking is the remedy. At midlife, most people are finally ready. It's a time of transition. People find themselves in that in-between state in life, leaving behind an outgrown but still perfectly useful past, and moving toward a future which resists all efforts to bring it into clear focus. As one contemplates what is ahead, he often feels a strange combination of disorientation and excitement.
Implications for the Future
The idea of a permanent job is obsolete. Today, an individual's job is never safe! The work world is in constant turmoil. One must be prepared to go job hunting for the rest of his life. As the paradigm of work shifts from making a product to providing a service, work itself is being redefined. There is an increased need for learning and higher-order thinking and at the same time, more scrambling for footing in shifting organizations. Most individuals will be rethinking, reinventing, and repacking the structure of their work. Most people get tired of their work once they have mastered it. All jobs have "lives"-cycles of learning, mastery, plateauing, and declining. The human brain requires new stimulation for growth, food for the mind, body, and soul.
It's never too late to start again-one needs to figure out who he is. What do I love to do? How do I want to live? People should not allow a career to drive their life; instead, they should let passion drive their career. That may not advance them up a corporate ladder, but it will make their trip down a long and winding road more interesting and fulfilling.