From Doubt to Direction: Mastering Your Mid-Career Transition

Research shows that nearly half of adult life is spent in transition (Bruce Feiler). Career and life transitions are inevitable—they’re the new norm.

In my professional journey, I’ve held over a dozen titles and navigated at least five major career transitions. Through these experiences, I’ve gained a deep, personal understanding of change.

As a professional coach, I work with many clients facing similar career and life transitions. If you recognize any of the signs below, you might be considering a change yourself:

• You feel capable of more and want to contribute beyond your current role.

• Your current responsibilities don’t satisfy you.

• You feel stuck in your career growth.

• You struggle to get along with your boss or colleagues.

• You fantasize about leaving your job.

• You dread going to work.

• You wonder what other opportunities exist.

• You ask yourself, “Should I stay or go?”

• You’ve started job searches or dusted off your resume.

Before making any big decisions, it’s crucial to pause and assess where you are in your transition journey. Take stock of your strengths, network, and motivation before you embark on a new path.

My Career Transition Story

I was born in China, where I earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in pharmaceutical engineering. My career began with an exciting role as an assistant engineer at Asia’s largest pharmaceutical company. I thrived there, steadily advancing through promotions to senior engineer and eventually to technical head of the Genetics Department. Though the facilities were modest by Western standards and the pay was low, I found genuine enjoyment and envisioned a lifelong career there. But then, I hit a wall.

One day, I found myself exhausted and unengaged. By Chinese standards, I was comfortable, yet I sensed something was missing. I felt a quiet, nagging discontent, as though there was something more—but what?

Around this time, I also began experiencing persistent neck, shoulder, and back pain. After trying various treatments, nothing seemed to help. Then, fate stepped in. My boss offered me a chance to work in Japan as a visiting researcher. This was the change I needed, and as I prepared for the trip, my pain mysteriously vanished. This experience taught me two valuable lessons:

1. The Wisdom of the Body: My body was signaling a misalignment in my life. When my desires and actions finally matched, the pain disappeared.

2. The Hidden Danger of Comfort: Sometimes, comfort prevents us from seeking true fulfillment.

My time in Japan was transformative. I expanded my skills, published research internationally, and gained a broader perspective. After two years, though, I was asked to return to my old role as if nothing had changed. That’s when I knew I couldn’t go back. Once the mind is stretched by new experiences, it can’t return to its previous state. I had to choose a new path.

A few months later, I moved to Canada to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology at Dalhousie University. This was a pivotal step in my journey, one that would lead to more transitions and growth over the years.

Since then, my career has been a series of transitions across management roles in different countries. Even after 25 years in the corporate world, I transitioned once again—this time to coaching, consulting, and writing. My journey from scientist to executive, and now to author and coach, has been a continuous path of learning and self-discovery.

Change is inevitable; growth is a choice.

I believe that when we’re willing to let go of who we are, we can become who we’re meant to be.

How to Turn Transition into Growth

Here’s how I approached my transitions, and how you can too:

1. Recognize the Signs: For me, pain and feelings of stagnation were signs that change was needed. Notice any physical or emotional signals that indicate dissatisfaction.

2. Evaluate Your Career: What are you seeking? Ask yourself: Are you looking for a passion project or a fulfilling career? Do you seek growth opportunities and a long-term vision? Is a higher salary or better work-life balance a priority? Do you crave a different work environment?

3. Identify Gaps: Once you clarify your career goals, assess your strengths and areas for growth. This might be a good time to seek guidance from trusted mentors or a career coach.

4. Build Skills: If you’re feeling unfulfilled, identify underused skills that may be hidden strengths. For a different role, upgrade your skills through courses and coaching.

5. Create Evidence: Build a portfolio of skills, capabilities, and experiences that demonstrate your potential—even if through volunteer work.

6. Network Relentlessly: Share your ideas and progress with your network. Let others know what you’re seeking. Your story may inspire others and create opportunities closer to your dream job.

Embrace Non-Binary Thinking

Suppose you’re considering leaving your job because you feel stuck. Instead of thinking in black-and-white terms—stay or go—try reframing it. Imagine:

1. If you had to stay: Ask yourself how you could make each workday more enjoyable. Could you talk with your boss about new tasks or a transfer to a different team?

2. If you had to leave: Consider the next steps you’d take. Would you seek help from your network or explore new possibilities?

F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

When facing career transitions, consult with mentors or coaches, reflect on what you want, and explore your options with resilience.

If you’re not sure where to begin, start by answering these three questions:

1. What am I already good at?

2. What do I enjoy doing, and for whom?

3. What do I need to move forward?

The questions may be simple, but the journey will take effort, persistence, and belief in yourself.

In Good to Great, Jim Collins asked Admiral James Stockdale how he survived eight years in a war camp. Stockdale replied, “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end—which you can never afford to lose—with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

This balance of faith and pragmatism is critical in any life transition. Embracing change requires that same blend of hope for the future and honest assessment of the present. It’s about holding space for what might be possible, even as you work through the realities of today. The journey through transition can be challenging, but it’s often on this path that we discover resilience, unlock new potential, and find a clearer purpose.

If you’re feeling the stirrings of change, remember that transition isn’t a departure from your path but rather an invitation to evolve. When we choose to honor our growth, we open ourselves to new opportunities and align with our true selves. In each transition, whether large or small, lies the chance to shape the person we’re becoming. Embrace it, and let each step forward be a testament to your courage and commitment to a more fulfilling life.