Spring into Q2 🌻 Refresh Your Career

When my parents’ generation entered the workforce, they dreamed of access to careers with stability and employers that would promote them based on merit. Staying with one employer for your entire career was the goal. Today, it’s almost unheard of. Work pivots have become the norm, and creator-culture has given rise to full-time, self-employed Substackers, TikTokers, and influencers. Even if you’re staying in the same industry, moving from company to company and from position to position has become an effective strategy for maximizing your take-home pay and diversifying your retirement plan.

Black women’s unemployment rate has risen to an alarming 7.4% (up from 5.4% the prior year), reminding us that job and career changes don’t always happen by choice. Balance-sheet anxieties, Federal rulings, and the promise of AI have led to layoffs across industries. So, whether you’re feeling restless, unfulfilled, or worried about your future prospects, now is a great time for some strategic reflection on your career.

Career Renewal Strategies

These are the strategies I use and share with clients transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship. The great news is, they are relevant whether you remain in your current position or pursue a new path.

• Self-Reflection - Make space to identify what you want from your job and the role it will play in your broader life. Invest in an assessment (I talked about my favorite in last month’s newsletter), start a journaling practice, or speak with a coach (or therapist).

• Networking - Seek out people in the career you want. That could mean they have a great work-life balance, or that they’re known and respected across their industry, not just at their organization. Ask them about their journey and how they were able to achieve the kind of career you’re considering. 

• Learning & Creating - Developing a new skill can jump-start creative thinking and boost confidence. I invested in becoming an Insights Discovery practitioner and executive coach, but the process doesn’t have to be career-related. Perhaps organizing your office or discovering a new hobby can give you the dopamine boost you need to take on even bigger challenges.

When things are feeling stale at work, what are your strategies for spicing things up? Send me a note and let me know–I love hearing from you!