You've decided you're ready to make a change. Now what?

Do you pull the cord on your current job and start making headway on the next chapter of your life? Or should you take a beat and strategically plan out your next move? Is it better to chat with your manager asap or start dropping hints to your coworkers?

Transitioning careers is nothing new, but if you are anything like me, the thought of changing careers raises fears of being judged and making an irreversible mistake. Research anticipates that members of Gen Z will have 5-7 different careers in their lifetime. If career changes are inevitable, why are they still surrounded by so much stigma?

Some Initial Thoughts

While I would love to snap my fingers and inspire everyone reading this article to drop everything and go after what they want, I realize that career decisions are highly personal. You need to be careful before jeopardizing your income and professional image– but changing careers can be a strategic move that lets you forge your own path rather than climbing the ladder a corporation has laid out for you.

As someone who recently navigated a career change of my own (technically my second), I can attest that the logistics of changing careers can be an incredibly awkward process of trial and error. Reflecting on the emails I would have phrased differently and money moves I wish I had made, it's time women get a survival guide for making a career change.

The No. 1 thing you need to do when considering a career change? Figure out what's driving it.

The feelings behind your desire for a new career might be complicated (and let's be honest, most feelings are). You may have been thinking about something specific for a long time, or the thought just occurred to you. You need to ask yourself if wanting to make a career change is about leaving something behind or moving towards something new.

If it's about leaving behind…

The Workplace

Consider how common that environment is within your current industry. Is the office atmosphere caused by the nature of the work, or is it something you think your particular company has cultivated? Whatever it is about the workplace, whether the work hours, commute time, or physical intensity required, you need to be realistic about how frequently you might run into similar situations in other career fields.

A bad boss

Dealing with a bad boss can make even the most exciting job unbearable. Whether micromanagement, lack of support, or a complete disregard for boundaries, a toxic boss can drain your energy and motivation. It's important to recognize whether their behaviour is specific to them or if it's actually a larger issue within the company culture. If it's the former, switching jobs within your current field might be enough to find relief. However, if this kind of leadership seems rampant, it could be worth reconsidering your career path altogether. After all, no one thrives under constant stress and negativity.

Annoying coworkers

You probably spend more time with coworkers than out-of-work friends, especially if you work mostly or entirely in person. Having relationships with coworkers is essential for making your biggest time commitment of the week enjoyable, but it can also be a source of frustration if you don't get along. While coworkers-turned-friends might be enough of a draw to stay at a job, true friends will want you to do what's best for you.

An unsatisfying paycheck

Remember to consider some of the less tangible benefits that come along with your current job. Insurance, PTO, retirement matching, and, of course, job security are things you might be sacrificing when moving on to something new. Of course, your next job or career might have all of those things and more, but if you are moving forward without something lined up, you are putting these valuable benefits on the line.

If it's about moving onto something new…

Give yourself some time

Changing careers is not something to be taken lightly. The work we do can influence where we live, our socioeconomic status, our mental health, and the quality of our lives. When considering a career change, be mindful of how long the idea has been on your mind. Is it an idea that the people who know you personally and professionally would understand? Or would it be a one-off?

At the same time, if your idea for a new career is something you have always wanted but have yet to express, trust in yourself. Keep a long-term mindset, and be careful not to make spur-of-the-moment decisions that burn more bridges than they build.

Understand the potential cost

To change careers, you are challenging yourself to adapt to a space requiring specialized knowledge you don't yet have. Investing in the right skills early on is important so you can progress at a pace you feel satisfied with. This might look like going back to school, taking online courses, doing an internship, or being willing to do entry-level work (and getting paid an entry-level wage). The general consensus is that sticking around in an industry or a company tends to pay off in the long run, but for those willing to risk it big on their own business, a new idea or even themselves– the payoffs come in forms other than money.

Get ready to be uncomfortable

Suppose you have a formal education in a particular field or have worked extensively in a specific industry. In that case, most of your professional mentors likely won't have experience in the field you are aiming to get into. You might have earned a reputation in your current field, but you must be ready to build yourself up from ground zero. There will certainly be ways to transfer your skills into your new career, but humility can go a long way when carving out a space for yourself in a new industry.

The Career Change Survival Guide

At this point, you've done a lot of thinking and have privately made a decision. Congratulations! Here are a few essential steps to help set you up for success as you move forward.

Create a Financial Plan

When creating your financial plan, it is important to remember that not all career changes mean immediately finding employment with a new company. For some, a career change means starting a business, becoming a freelancer or returning to school. Suppose your career change entails finding a new job before leaving your current one. In that case, you might have a more manageable income gap. It is important to remember that compensation in your chosen career field might be commensurate with experience. You might not make your dream salary on day one, but remember– a career change is a long-term investment.

No matter your next step, you need to be hyper-aware of your financial situation before making the leap. You need to know your current expenses and how those might change if your employment is disrupted. Estimate the minimum income you need to pay essential expenses.

Next, consider new costs associated with your career change plan, like tuition, business expenses, or fees to join relevant professional associations. Determine how much of your savings you can comfortably dip into during this time of flux. Money can be a prohibitive factor for women wanting to explore a new career, so take the time to research grants, scholarships, and professional development programs to see what best aligns with your life.

Decide on a Timeline

Once you have a clear sense of your financial flexibility, give yourself a timeline with concrete milestones to feel like you are pushing forward. At this point, it can be overwhelming to sit with all the "what ifs" for months. If frustrations at work are spurring you into action, this can feel like an unending period of stasis– which is why giving yourself some parameters is essential.

Now, you should have decided if you plan to find a new job while still working at your current one. If you are in this camp, your timeline is determined by the recruiter and hiring managers you contact. This is the price you pay for the security of concurrent employment.

For those who might need some time away from their current job to chart their path forward, you need to give yourself some deadlines to stay on track. If you are taking a break, set a date when you will return to work– even if work looks like job applications, standardized test prep, or a professional development program. The same applies if you are starting a business or moving towards self-employment. Working outside the confines of a traditional 9-5 might feel unconventional, but if you are serious about your new venture as a career, you need to treat it like one.

Communicate your Decision

Once you have everything squared away in your plan, it's time to loop others in. This is a delicate moment where all the thoughts you have put into your plan so far can quickly feel like it's spinning out of control. Here are a few tips for communicating news of your career change:

With your manager and professional network:

Follow the protocol communicated in your employee handbook about resignation communication.
Most likely, you will request a meeting with your manager to discuss this, which should then be followed up with a written letter of resignation for your employer's records
Be thoughtful if and how you want to announce your career change to your professional network and be mindful of how positioning your news opens you up to more conversations questioning your decision

With your work besties:

While you might want to tell your friends and coworkers asap, be respectful of your employer's preference on how to share the news
For this period of flux, recognize that your leaving might not be so exciting for coworkers needing to take over responsibilities
If you have a relationship with coworkers outside of the office, you should communicate with them about your update however you please; keep in mind how fast word can spread (and no one wants their manager to ask them if they are quitting)
Be sure to get people's contact information before leaving and create concrete plans to connect outside work

With your personal support networks:

It can be scary to tell your loved ones and friends that you are diving into the unknown, but be confident in yourself and they will be confident in you, too
If you are confident in your ability to support yourself, tell people that so they can be reassured you are going to be ok
If you need emotional or financial support, be open about that. If you anticipate the need for financial support from loved ones, that should be a conversation that happens long before you turn in your notice

With yourself:

Take some time to really understand what is driving you, and that clarity will keep you grounded throughout the process
Remind yourself of your long-term goals and what you are excited about in making the change.
Talk with people who know you and want you to chase after your dreams for some external validation and also to get some sympathetic POVs to bounce ideas off of

John Lennon captured it perfectly when he wrote, "Life happens when you're making other plans." So make the plans, change careers (if you want!), and live the life you've been waiting for.

Daisy Dow is a freelance writer and multidisciplinary artist.

How to Mentally & Financially Prepare for a Career Change