More than a million workers in Pennsylvania have been laid off. Michigan’s unemployment website keeps crashing. In Ohio, newly unemployed restaurant workers are facing a “nightmare” of halting red tape. COVID-19 has foisted unexpected job changes upon millions of families across America.
“Depression and anxiety about the uncertainty of what life will be like after this, and all the people I miss, literally keeps me up at night,” says Cleveland bartender Conor Byers. “The juxtaposition of boredom and panic is a daily struggle.”
And with medical experts cautioning we may never get back to the ‘normal’ lives we once knew, we’re all trying to learn how to adapt. Fast.
“If you’re facing an unexpected career change because of this crisis, there is a slice of good news, one that could keep us pulling through,” says Kelly Hyman, a once-child-actor who pivoted to a successful media commentator and law career. “A sudden, unexpected, or late-in-life career change can be a good thing.” In fact, Kelly Hyman adds, it could be just what the future you will be grateful for. Here are some tips to keep your focus for positive forward momentum during this career transition.
Look to Successful Examples For Inspiration
Vera Wang got started in the fashion industry at age 40. Julia Child wrote her first cookbook at age 50. Harold “Colonel” Sanders worked at gas stations, on railroads, and had a law career before franchising Kentucky Fried Chicken at the age of 62, a move that would make him a millionaire in his 70s. It’s not too late for you, either, even if you’re starting over.
Some career paths might seem better suited to young people. Being a rock star, for example, or a movie star. But Samuel L. Jackson got his break at 43, an age that would usually be considered the twilight of a Hollywood film star’s career. While it’s important not to give yourself unrealistic false hope, don’t rule out a career you want just because it typically favors the young.
Other careers, like law, politics, filmmaking, or being a novelist, tend to favor experience over youth. Take this into account as you plan your transition. What course are you going to be able to sustain for the coming decades? How can you make your age or current position in life an asset?
Other important questions to consider, given this moment in history: What is essential work? What kind of work can be performed from home? How can you draw upon your skill sets to fill a new need caused by the pandemic? “Quarantine and social distancing are changing what we understand as ‘essential services,’” says Media Commentator Kelly Hyman. ” Use these questions to break past limited thinking and consider new career possibilities.
The Hard Part is Behind You, So Keep Looking Ahead
Television commentator Kelly Hyman says there’s more good news, even if this is a very dark cloud: the hardest part of your career change is already over. “When facing a job or career change, the leap is the scariest and most difficult part,” she says. “While it’s not ideal, the fact that COVID-19 has forced you into this situation means all you have left to do is start taking strides towards your new path in life. Taking strides will help you avoid pitfalls like getting caught in despair or depression.”
Depression robs you of hope, so it’s important to keep looking forward, Kelly Hyman says to focus on the possibilities, instead of what was or what can no longer be. Then take concrete, measurable actions that you can check off your ‘to do’ list one by one. “It might not feel like progress on a day-to-day basis, as the quarantine hours tick sluggishly past. But give it a few weeks of focused, proactive effort, and you’ll see your progress starting to take shape.”
Remember to Give Yourself a Break
While you’re planning and implementing for your new career path, don’t forget to give yourself time to grieve and emotionally process these big, sudden changes. We’re humans, not productivity machines. And we’re all in uncharted territory here. Feelings of fear and anxiety are totally okay, so make room for them with down time for reflection. Schedule it in, if you’re a type A personality. Your health and well being come first.
Remember, this isn’t the end. It’s a transformation. And you might be the next career success inspiring future generations with the story of how you overcame COVID-19 uncertainty.
