Measuring Success and Contemplating Career Change During the Pandemic
Here’s a phrase you’ve heard before, “These are unprecedented times.” Between news headlines, emails and, potentially, your own work, it’s unavoidable. Even in May, it had already become such a common descriptor, of something so uncommon, that it lost the gravitas it truly deserves. Things during a pandemic aren’t normal, and yet we’re adapting rapidly to accommodate. That’s a beautiful quality we have, isn’t it––we can struggle and succeed at the same time.
Right now, success looks different day to day: it’s working full time or it’s remembering to drink water; it’s homeschooling your kids or it’s taking an hour just to breathe. Measuring success has changed and, most likely, so has your career. Five and ten-year plans are being adjusted because our priorities are shifting––what was important in January is drastically different today. “When it comes to priorities right now, the thing I'm putting first is my sanity,” says Matt, a 34-year old from Seattle who was recently furloughed from his position. “When the pandemic started escalating, I had one person advise me to make a decision quickly. That advice makes no sense at all; there’s no need for speed. There was never anything to hurry toward before and that's even more so the case now.”
The takeaway? Don’t stack a generic timeline against your trajectory––in a lot of ways, your career options have never been so open. Try and look at that as a positive. If you’re considering a career change, search for positions outside your comfort zone that you might have previously ignored. Better yet, start macro and make a list of companies that align with your newfound, pandemic-era code of ethics––including racial equality. Look at businesses that are making a positive difference during this time, not just those that are profiting. And, if you see a gap in the market where your skills are needed, start your own business. This “unprecedented” landscape demands new skills, new marketing techniques, new communication strategies, and an overhaul of current processes that are rooted in advocacy and equality. Take this opportunity to position yourself as the answer to some of these unique new obstacles.
As your career changes, so do your relationships. “I feel lucky to have a year’s worth of credits left before graduating and stepping back into the job market full time,” says Abby, a 25-year old student at The New School in New York. “Building and maintaining relationships with my professors and classmates has been essential in providing both community and professional opportunities for me.” Fostering community has never been so important or looked so different, and supporting vulnerable communities has never been so critical. Everyone is feeling the effects of isolation and exploring new methods for connectivity––Wi-Fi and people-wise––and cultivating new ways to show support.
The takeaway? Networking looks different now, too.We’re communicating in a digital-only sphere, so make sure your professional online presence is firing on all cylinders. “Update your LinkedIn profile, ask for recommendations and join relevant groups,” writes Caroline Castrillon for Forbes. “Reach out to new and existing contacts and comment on people’s posts.” Being chatty has never been so relevant! Chances are, the person you’re trying to connect with is also looking for new sources of community. If you’re in a position to help, now is the time. Use your abilities to review a peer’s website or business plan and offer advice; use your own network to facilitate introductions; refer clients to companies and people you trust.
If contemplating big life choices right now feels extra heavy, remember that within this isolated environment, you’ve never been less alone. Everyone, and that means everyone, is discovering new routines, new talents and new ways to succeed amid the pandemic. As we recalibrate, lean into the positives of reexamining old systems––you’ll find that some need to be torn down altogether.