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Overcoming the Fear of a Career Change

Grace Blumberg, LMSW on March 5, 2018

tags: Back to Work, Balancing Work & Cancer, Career Advice, Career Change, Interview, Job Hunting, Job Re-entry, Job Search, Meaningful Work, Networking, Re-entering the Workforce, Resume Review

As survivors know all too well, life isn’t the same after cancer. For example, many survivors find themselves yearning for a different kind of job. Whether the desire is for more meaningful work or a schedule that allows for more time with loved ones, changing careers can be daunting — even when it feels necessary. 

A great article on The Muse website, titled “Changing Careers Is Scary, But This Advice Will Get You Past the Fear,” offers some helpful advice for managing a transition that can seem overwhelming.

The fact is, there can be a lot of anxiety about the time and financial commitment involved in switching career paths, let alone re-imagining your professional identity. However, with focus and dedication, it’s possible to move past these concerns and successfully make a shift. Here’s how:

  • Cut off fear at the pass: The Muse recommends writing down reasons why a career transition is a must, including your current complaints and frustrations. This practice will create an inspirational manifesto you can return to when you’re feeling stuck or exasperated by the transition process.
  • Obtain external support: Without support from others, you can feel isolated; that, in turn, can cause your fears to multiply, making the process more painful. So it’s critical that you build a support community of family and friends. To start, consider sharing your thoughts, goals and desires with those closest to you. If you’re hard pressed to find supportive individuals in your life, consider reaching out to a counselor or a career coach. Cancer and Careers’ Ask a Career Coach board is one way to get some key job-related questions answered for free.

In addition to our Ask a Career Coach service, Cancer and Careers has a plethora of other free resources and programs on our website that can help you navigate this challenging yet exciting time. Here are details on a handful of them:

  • Submit your resume to our free Resume Review Service for personalized professional feedback.
  • Watch our archived Balancing Work & Cancer webinar on Career Change.
  • Get tips on how to job-hunt post-treatment.
  • Take advantage of our various job-search tools, including our Job Search Toolkit, which can be downloaded or ordered in print.
  • Read how cancer can inspire a career change.
  • Get advice on networking, preparing for an interview and managing your online footprint.

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