Career Crossroads: From Obstacles to Opportunities

Getting laid off initially felt like a punch to the gut, but it pushed me toward a professional transformation. In September of last year, building a coaching practice was not on my mind. However, after some reflection, I realized there was no better time to lean into understanding the practice of coaching. I put myself out there, began working with clients on their career aspirations, launched a coaching website , and even interviewing for coaching roles. The journey has been both thrilling and terrifying, filled with twists and turns. Each obstacle has revealed new learnings, reshaping my professional detour into a purposeful mission: supporting others through their career challenges.

The Silver Lining

Although the layoff disrupted my life and bruised my ego, it also sparked an unexpected opportunity for growth and reinvention. In Washington D.C., where I live, so much of our self-worth is intertwined with our careers. It's difficult to separate our sense of self from what we do for a living when we dedicate an enormous chunk of our lives to work – on average, 90,000 hours!

Having faced a layoff before, I tried to reframe this situation not as a setback but as a chance to become more resilient. Moving forward meant loosening my grip on my former identity and redefining myself to align with this new path. Adversity, after all, has the potential to make us stronger, if we approach it with the right mindset.

Pressing Pause

Instead of jumping into action mode, I took the time to process my emotions and figure out my next steps. This layoff provided an unexpected benefit - the space to slow down, reflect, reevaluate, and clarify what I wanted to pursue next. With over 20 years of work experience under my belt, I recognized that I possessed a diverse skill set that could be applied in many ways. This break presented a chance to intentionally design a career that leveraged my unique gifts and minimized energy-zapping activities.

Charting a New Course

Now that I had some breathing room, I knew I needed to really think about where I wanted to go next career-wise. I didn't want to jump into something new without a plan. So, I took the time to do some serious self-reflection. I had conversations with loved ones, took an in-depth aptitude test via Ability Potentials (highly recommend checking them out), and I thought long and hard about past jobs, what worked for me and what didn't.

Through that whole process of self-exploration, I was able to get clear on the must-haves for my next role, the kinds of things that are dealbreakers, the tasks that really energize me versus the soul-sucking ones, and just get honest with myself about my strengths and weaknesses. These activities allowed me to gain valuable insights that would guide my next career move.

Three key needs emerged:

1. A people-oriented role where individuals are the focus of my efforts
2. Variety—a position that changes daily, involving different people, perhaps travel
3. Solving problems by helping others

The final piece in solidifying my direction - my "north star" - was my interest in human behavior and growth. Ever since studying psychology at the University of San Diego , I've been intrigued by understanding human behavior, especially motivations. I find it fascinating how our career wants, expectations, and needs evolve over time. And now with technological advancements, the possibilities are incalculable. The interplay between personal growth and organizational dynamics continues to captivate me, fueling my desire to support others through their professional journeys.

Combining this passion with the key needs that emerged, I solidified my direction: working closely with others as they navigate their career paths.

Diving Into Coaching

Prior to the pandemic, I completed a coaching certificate program through the Association for Talent Development and begun exploring what it meant to coach others and take on clients. However, the pandemic put those plans on hold. This new professional focus provided the perfect opportunity to put my coaching certification into practice.

I immersed myself in learning what effective coaching entails. I conducted online research, listened to coaching podcasts, read books on the topic, and connected with various coaches to deepen my understanding of the profession. A pivotal step was joining Never Search Alone (NSA) , a mutual support group for job seekers, both as a participant and moderator. This free program allowed me to access job search resources, build a network of fellow job seekers, and apply my budding career advising and coaching skills. My decision to join NSA has proven to be an invaluable one – it has provided me with opportunities for growth and allowed me to forge meaningful personal connections.

The Winding Road

This career transition to coaching has had its fair share of challenges - building a personal brand, acquiring clients, and navigating the emotional ups and downs of unemployment. Doubt and uncertainty have crept in at times, leaving me questioning my path. However, through consistent effort and perseverance, the pieces have gradually fallen into place. I've put myself out there, shared my story on LinkedIn, which has led to new clients through networking and personal connections. Recently, I launched a website to promote my coaching services, reigniting support from old friends and colleagues.

Navigating Uncertainty

Career pivots are inherently challenging for you're taking a leap in a new direction. And while I'm proud of the progress I've made, I recognize that I have more ground to cover. To achieve financial sustainability, for instance, I need to acquire more coaching clients. Additionally, I want to continue developing my coaching skills by seeking additional training opportunities. One potential avenue would be to pursue a role as a career coach or advisor at a career services firm or university, which would allow me to further hone my expertise while contributing to the professional development of others.

Lessons From the Journey

Throughout this experience, I've discovered valuable lessons about myself and my capabilities. Most notably, I've learned that I am capable of far more than I initially thought, and that mental blocks, rather than external forces, are often what hold me back. This realization has driven me to dedicate time to working on mental fitness. I've also found that consistently putting in the work, maintaining close personal connections, and keeping perspective are what have helped me navigate tough times.

The road ahead may not always be a straight shot, but I've found if you keep moving, you'll eventually get to where you want to be. Progress is achievable, and although setbacks will inevitably arise, you possess the resilience to overcome them. Keep moving forward, one step at a time, even when the path feels roundabout at times.

Get in Touch

If you're reading this and going through a career transition or layoff yourself, I encourage you to reach out. I'm happy to connect and share my learnings, especially if it can provide support and inspiration along your journey.

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