Ready for a career change? How to know whether to quit, pivot, or pause.
Photo by Nataliya Melnychuk on Unsplash
When I started working as a journalist, work was practically my life. I spent long days at work, worked late into the nights, and often worked weekends and public holidays. And I loved it. It was something I wanted to do - something I was happy to do.
But as I grew older and started thinking about having a family, I looked around me and realised that this pace was not sustainable for the life I wanted. I never doubted the job itself. Journalism was - and still is - an amazing profession. But I started to feel that it was no longer right for me. The rhythm of being a journalist in a newsroom back then - things have improved a lot since - no longer worked for the life I wanted to build.
So I decided to change career direction.
I spent four years working in content writing. It was interesting. I enjoyed it, learned a lot, and met some great people.
But my heart wasn't in it.
By then, I had started the family I had wanted. With the support and flexibility I had, I reduced my hours so I could remain in the working world while also being present for my family. But I missed writing news stories - especially the human-interest stories that allowed me to connect with people and, in some small way, make a difference in their lives.
Then in 2018 - a year after I become a mother - journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered, and I went to a silent demonstration by journalists in Valletta. I reconnected with my former colleagues, and something clicked. I changed direction again. I returned to journalism.
I never looked back.
What I did do was broaden my lens. Alongside journalism, I started Woman Unclouded - creating space to explore some of the questions, challenges and experiences that women navigate in their lives and careers.
Why am I telling you all this?
Because, throughout those years, I - and I know many of you have too - have questioned my career direction.
When is it time to change careers? How do you know whether you're simply burnt out, or whether you're actually in the wrong job… or profession? And how do you work out what you want to do next?
So I did what I love to do: I went looking for answers.
I spoke to an expert in career direction - Ann Julene Hili is a qualified career guidance professional - and asked her some of the questions I had been asking myself… and that I know many of you have been asking too.
Here's what she had to say:
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Women, career change
and finding the right direction
How do you know whether you need a new career, a new job, or simply a break? Career expert Ann Julene Hili explains how to distinguish burnout from a deeper career mismatch - and why changing direction doesn’t necessarily mean starting from scratch.
When discussing women and career change, I think it’s important to recognise that there is no single female career experience.
Gender can influence career decisions through social expectations, workplace structures, caring responsibilities and other factors, but every woman’s circumstances, ambitions and definition of success are different.
Rather than assuming that women experience career uncertainty in the same way, I think it’s more useful to understand the individual and what is really driving the desire for change.
When is it a career mismatch?
Career dissatisfaction is not necessarily a sign of a career mismatch. Most careers have difficult periods, whether because of workload, a difficult manager, organisational change or simply a temporary loss of motivation. A useful starting point is to ask whether the problem is situational and could be changed, or whether there is a deeper mismatch between the person and the work itself.
“Discomfort alone isn't a reason to leave. Growth can be uncomfortable, and uncertainty is a normal part of any career.”
Looking at patterns over time can be revealing. A difficult period may improve with rest, clearer boundaries, a different manager or a change in responsibilities. If the same feelings continue despite changes in circumstances, it may be worth exploring what is behind them.
There is rarely one clear sign that someone needs a new career. It is more often a combination of things such as ongoing dissatisfaction, a lack of challenge or learning, or a feeling that their skills and strengths are not being used.
At the same time, discomfort alone isn't a reason to leave. Growth can be uncomfortable, and uncertainty is a normal part of any career. Sometimes the career is right, but the way we are experiencing it at that particular point in our lives is not.
A new job or a new career?
One of the most useful distinctions in career guidance is between changing the context and changing the direction. If someone enjoys the work but dislikes their manager, culture, workload, commute or lack of flexibility, the problem may be the job rather than the career.
If they consistently dislike the fundamental nature of the work, even in a supportive environment, it may be time to explore a different direction.
There is also a middle ground. A career change does not have to mean starting again. Sometimes it is a move into a related function, industry or specialisation where existing skills and experience can be used differently.
People often underestimate how transferable what they already know can be. Skills, experience and knowledge don't disappear when you change direction, they can often be used in ways you hadn't previously considered.
How can burnout affect career decisions?
Burnout can make almost any career feel like the wrong one. When someone is exhausted, it can be difficult to distinguish between dissatisfaction with the career and dissatisfaction with their current circumstances.
Where possible, I would encourage the individual to create some space before making major decisions. Rest, time away from work, clearer boundaries, manageable workloads and appropriate support can restore some perspective.
“A career change does not have to mean starting again. Sometimes it is a move… where existing skills and experience can be used differently.”
If the same fundamental dissatisfaction remains after recovery, it may be worth exploring whether the career itself is part of the problem.
Burnout should also not be viewed simply as a personal failure to cope. Workload, working conditions, organisational culture, work relationships and lack of control can all contribute.
Why can career decisions be particularly complex for women?
For women, career decisions can sometimes involve considerations that go well beyond the job itself. The expectations and responsibilities that can come with family life and caregiving, alongside the culture and structures of the workplace, may also influence how women approach their careers and the choices available to them. At the same time, women should not be defined by these challenges.
Women have different priorities and ambitions, and many pursue demanding and ambitious careers while raising families. For me, career guidance should always start with the individual: What does she genuinely want? What matters to her now? What is she willing to compromise on, and what has become non-negotiable?
Our careers also evolve alongside our lives, so a shift in priorities doesn't necessarily mean that an earlier decision was wrong. It may simply mean that what we need from work is different now.
Confidence, imposter feelings and starting again
Confidence can have a significant influence on career decisions, particularly when change involves uncertainty. Imposter feelings can cause capable people to question whether they are qualified or ready enough.
This can show up in subtle ways, for example, applying only for roles where they meet almost every requirement, waiting until they feel completely ready, or dismissing their achievements as luck. Sometimes the issue isn't a lack of ability, but an unrealistic expectation of when we should feel “ready”.
“Our careers also evolve alongside our lives, so a shift in priorities doesn't necessarily mean that an earlier decision was wrong.”
Starting again can also feel daunting, but a career transition doesn't necessarily mean starting from scratch. Often, it means building on existing skills and experience and applying them in a new context. I would encourage anyone considering a career change not to feel pressured to have the perfect answer immediately.
Explore, talk to people in different fields, develop a skill, take on a new project or investigate a related role. These steps can provide real information about what might fit, rather than relying entirely on assumptions or fear and small steps can make big decisions feel much more manageable.
It is not always about leaving
Ultimately, good career guidance isn't about telling someone what they should do. It is about helping them understand what isn't working, what has changed, what they want more of and what might be possible.
Sometimes the answer is a new job, sometimes it is a new direction and sometimes it is recognising that a difficult period doesn't mean the career itself is wrong.
The aim is to make that decision from a place of greater clarity rather than exhaustion, fear or pressure. A fulfilling career does not have to look a particular way. It needs to make sense for the person living it, and for the life they want alongside it.
About the expert
Ann Julene Hili is a qualified career guidance professional with over 17 years of experience helping individuals make informed and meaningful decisions about their education, careers, and professional development. Her work spans career guidance, employability, and personal development, supporting people from diverse backgrounds and at different stages of their educational and professional journeys.
Through a personalised and empathetic approach, she helps individuals recognise their strengths, interests, skills, and aspirations, while exploring career pathways and opportunities that align with their goals. Her practice combines active listening, practical guidance, and an understanding of labour-market trends and the evolving world of work.
Passionate about empowering others, she is committed to helping individuals build confidence, overcome barriers, and realise their potential as they navigate their career journeys.
What do you think?
Is there a woman-related subject you feel needs to be ‘unclouded’, spoken about, or explained? Is there something you feel passionately about? If so, share your views… or share your story - to inspire and help other women.
Woman Unclouded believes that by sharing - stories, experiences and expertise - women can inspire one another - to take the leap, or to simply make sense of things.
All you have to do is drop us an email at hello@womanunclouded.com