When Career Options Fall Flat: Rekindling Excitement in the Later Stages of Your Career

“Now that I’ve made it this far in my career, the thought of having to work another 15-20 years feels exhausting. I’m not sure I want to continue what I’m doing now, go back to what I was doing, or pursue a [fill in the blank leadership title]. Frankly, I’m not thrilled with any of my options. Is it possible to find something I can do that excites me?”

This is a common question that comes up during my coaching sessions with mid-career to senior faculty. They worked hard to earn tenure and eventually promotion to full professor. They have served or are now serving as department chairs or associate deans, and their life circumstances have changed dramatically since they began their faculty career, including relationship and health changes, children who are now more independent teens or young adults, and parental caregiving. Most faculty and staff in this career stage have a significant number of years left on their career clocks but they can see retirement on the horizon. (For those who have just reached mid-career, see this post on how to re-imagine one’s career trajectory or this post about values-based career decision-making.)

Before exploring specific paths, like recommitting to a current role, stepping back into a prior role, or seeking a new leadership position, I encourage clients in this stage of their careers to first consider where their question is coming from. Usually, it’s in the belief that un otro mundo es posible (an “other” world is possible).

The Liberating Power of un Otro Mundo

Un otro mundo es posible is a phrase borrowed from Latin American liberation praxis, which I write about in “Leading Toward Liberation.”It captures the hope-filled belief that we can co-create a different reality than the one in which we live, a reality in which we are freed up to live a life of meaning and flourishing. When people ask, “Is this all there is?”, I sense their hope about another possible way to do their work, even if they don’t know what it is yet. The dissonance and dread are not coming from having to work another 15-20 years, but from witnessing models and systems that encourage a way of working that is not aligned with our values. Asking some key questions can help us get more creative about our options and rekindle the excitement that can sustain us for the next decade or two.

Questions To Rekindle Excitement

The following reflection questions can liberate us from preconceived notions of the “right” career trajectory and expand our options.

“With the time I have left, what kind of impact do I want to have?” This question taps into values and can help ponderers break free from the power of titles. For many of my clients, this question elicits answers such as empowering others, removing obstacles, supporting growth and learning, or changing systems so that people are not harmed. In my current and past roles, how was I able to make this impact?” If you have trouble with this question, ask yourself: “When do I experience joy in my work?” Joy is often a sign that you are making an impact that aligns with your values. The answers to these questions offer valuable information about the kinds of work that can energize you in the final stages of your career, which brings us to our final question. “What activities and roles will allow me to have this impact in the future?” For instance, one department chair realizes that what brings them joy is engaging directly with students and supporting their progress. But they have found themselves interacting less with students over time. This realization helps them think about integrating more student-facing work as a chair or return to faculty; a deanship that would take them further away from students is not appealing for this person. For another chair who also loves interacting with students, their greater joy comes from creating opportunities for students through policy and advocacy. They are able to recommit to their work as a chair and explore the possibility of deanship as a way to broaden their impact.

Additional Considerations

The following are some additional suggestions for thinking about the next stage of your career:

Be Mindful of Burnout

One reason seasoned professionals feel exhausted at this stage is burnout. It is important to consider whether a period of rest would be helpful before delving into these questions and actions.

Remember That It’s Okay To Say No

Remember that saying no to opportunities that do not check your impact boxes does not mean that you will never be asked again. A “Yes Committee” composed of trusted confidants and advisors can help members evaluate new opportunities as they come in and offer encouragement to stay the course.

Get Creative When It Comes to Making Your Impact

Get creative about how you can make your desired impact. It may or may not be another title or committee assignment. For instance, if discovering and disseminating new knowledge excites you but the thought of continuing your current line of research brings dread, consider how you might be able to engage in research in a new way. Perhaps this means applying your research skills to support student-led projects or conducting applied research to improve some aspect of life in higher education. For instance, when I became an associate dean of a graduate school, it was immensely gratifying to conduct research aimed at improving equity in graduate admissions in my home discipline of psychology and across various disciplines. There may be creative options that do not include new titles but allow you to engage in valued work.

Stay Connected

Networking within and outside your institution can help you learn about career options and how to prepare for them. Most people are interested in sharing their career journeys even in response to a cold email or LinkedIn connection request. Also consider participating in external cohort-based leadership development programs in your discipline or offered by professional associations and companies. These programs foster provide participants with deeper knowledge of the joys and challenges of specific roles.

Final Thoughts

By engaging in this reflection, especially with a coach, mentor, or trusted colleague, what starts out as dread and heaviness often transforms into renewed hope and energy. And the benefits extend beyond our own sense of career direction. Recalling our unique purpose and contribution in our workplaces has ripple effects that can energize those we serve and with whom we work. That’s the power of liberation.