• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

PHONE: 240-277-6224|EMAIL: meredithtseu@gmail.com

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

MLT Careers

Love Mondays Again

  • Home
  • About
    • Who We Serve
  • Services
  • Testimonials
    • Resume Samples
  • Blog
  • Contact

How to Start Exploring New Careers

May 21, 2018 by Meredith Tseu
Roman Averin | Unsplash.com

When you’re feeling lost or stuck mid-career, it can be so difficult to take time to explore options. When you finally find the time, it can be hard to know where to start.

There are four areas I ask my clients to explore in their work lives: values, skills, personality and interests. This list grows out of my time working in university career centers, and I’ve seen it work time and again with mid-career workers in my private practice as well.

I recommend my clients start with the area they suspect they need the most help clarifying. For most, that’s their values. It’s hard to define your work values out of thin air. If you asked me point-blank to tell you what I believe about work, I’d be hard-pressed to come up with something, and I’m a career coach.

To make headway fast, try creating a career family tree. Just as you would research your family history, you’re going to create a family diagram of the work that runs in your family. You can even start with one of the many free family tree templates available online.

Step 1: List People and their Jobs

Create a map of people who are important to you. Unlike traditional family trees, this can extend beyond blood relatives to friends, mentors or even leaders who you respect.

Chart them out as you would a regular family tree. Draw in the lines to your parents, grandparents, siblings and so on, extending away from you.

List what they did for work, and also try to jot down anything you know about their philosophy of work. Did they dream of doing something else for work? If so, list that, too.

Step 2: What Did They Believe about Work?

Now go back and layer in what people believed about their work. Why did they choose their particular careers? What is important in life, and how does work fit into that picture?

These are big questions, true, but as you start to gather your information, keep thinking about your own values. How are you like your father? Are you growing more like him as you advance in your career?

Step 3: Identify Themes

Start looking for themes running through your family and friends. Does everyone work with their hands, or in medicine? How are you the same or different?

This is a great time to start journaling. Take a half hour to sketch out your reactions on paper. Some of my clients even create doodles or other art to go with their journals.

This can be a productive way to get at your values, but be aware that it can dig up some pretty strong feelings. Don’t be afraid to reach out to talk with someone you trust about what you uncover.

Working through this exercise can uncover so much about what motivates you in work.

My grandmother, for instance, used to send me newspaper clippings of things she thought would help me in life, and now when I work with clients I send them links to resources.

I always have considered information more than just sterile facts. Passing along information is a way to show you care, and sharing the right information at the right time can work miracles.

I hope this little bit of information helps you get moving in the right direction!

Next, I’ll look at how to analyzing your skills to help you explore your options. 

[su_note note_color=”#CBEAFE”]Wondering if my coaching services are a good fit? Set up a free, 30-minute strategy session. Email me at meredith@mltcareers.com or call 240-277-6224.[/su_note]

SaveSave

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email
Category: Career Change, Career Exploration, General

About Meredith Tseu

What do you get when you combine a B.A. in religion and an M.A. in counseling with stints as a journalist and career coach? In my case, you get a resume writer and job-hunt coach with decades of experience helping job seekers find their true north.

Previous Post: « How to Decide If You Should Apply for That Job
Next Post: Skills Matter in Midlife Career Exploration »

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • How to Get a Job After Four Years’ Gap
  • How to Find a Job After a Long Gap
  • Crafting Your Teacher Resume for a Career Change
  • Job Hopping in Your 20s? Five Ways to Explain It
  • Your Employment Gap: An Explanation Letter Sample

Enter your info to receive your free guide, 3 ways to use your non-traditional background to get the interview!

MLTCareers-LeadMagent

mltcareers

MEREDITH TSEU, CPRW

Ellicott City, MD

Phone: 240-277-6224

Email: meredithtseu@gmail.com

PHONE

240-277-6224

EMAIL

meredithtseu@gmail.com

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2022 · MLT Careers · All Rights Reserved.

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version