
At some point in our lives, each of us will experience something that prompts us to take stock of our current situation. At that niggling in the back of your brain, you might ask yourself:
Am I engaged in my work? Or simply going through the motions?
Do I feel fulfilled by my routine? Or discouraged by the drudgery?
Do I have a positive outlook for the future? Or dread for what lies ahead?
If you lean right in your response to any of these questions, it may be a sign that it’s time to make a change. But before we talk about how to go about it, let’s address the common misconception that change has to be radical. That’s not the case when you approach it with the right mindset.
More often than not, when we think of change, we perceive it as big and scary. We might be tempted to retreat to the familiar and comfortable. That tendency is likely what prevents most of us from pursuing something different, bigger, or better.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. If something about what you’re currently doing feels “off,” it doesn’t mean you took a wrong turn and there’s no heading back.
It may just mean you need to give yourself permission to explore. When you embrace curiosity and you’re willing to practice a bit of wayfinding, change may become less scary and more manageable.
Career Wayfinding
In a recent blog, we introduced the idea of career wayfinding as a practical framework for experimenting and moving forward.
Career wayfinding is an iterative process of experimenting, pivoting, and adapting on your personal and professional journey. Instead of waiting for clarity to act (or the perfect opportunity to present itself), you take steps to experiment, learn, and adjust as you go. This flexible approach creates space for exploration without pressure.
This can be helpful when the thought of a job or career change feels super intimidating. Deciding to explore with curiosity gives you an opportunity to open your mind and your heart to what might be possible—without committing to a major change.
Are you ready to get curious without committing to radical change? To help you get started, we’re sharing small steps you can take to begin your career wayfinding exploration.
Discover your strengths and skills.
You may think you know exactly what you’re good at and, therefore, what you should be doing for a living. But sometimes, our strengths don’t perfectly align with our aspirations.
Consider taking an assessment to help you identify the type of work that’s a good fit for your capabilities and resonates with your interests and values. There are many great tools out there, and one we like is the Kiersey Temperament Sorter. You can also use our free Take Control Template, a tool to help you uncover what inspires, motivates, and fulfills you.
Informally connect and explore.
Did your college advisor ever encourage you to schedule an informational interview? Those conversations may have paired you with someone doing the type of work you thought you’d also like to do. Revisit this tactic by connecting with people in your network whose background, experience, and perspective may be different than your own. Ask them what they like or dislike about what they do, what they’re most challenged by, and what motivates them. Even if you don’t identify your next role through these discussions, you’re likely to be inspired by their stories.
Look for opportunities to volunteer.
Similarly, volunteering in the field you think you might like to pursue can be a great way to test the waters. In addition to giving back (which will give you a boost of positivity!), you’ll also gain some hands-on experience that can help you envision what a future in that industry, organization, or role might look like.
Experiment, reflect, and adjust.
Career wayfinding isn’t about committing to one fixed path—it’s about continuous learning. Try small experiments—shadowing a colleague, joining a project outside your usual scope, taking a class—and reflect on what resonates. Each experience provides feedback that helps you refine your direction.
Instead of feeling the pressure to have it all figured out, embrace the idea that every step forward provides new clarity.
Embrace curiosity and trust the process.
Throughout your exploration, ask yourself questions like “What energizes me? What am I curious to learn next?” These prompts can help you look at every step you take as a process of discovery.
And keep in mind—you don’t need to have your long-term path all mapped out. Taking small, intentional steps while you’re wayfinding is meant to help you build momentum and clarity over time. Trust the process and see what unfolds in front of you!