By Carly Jones, Marketing Manager and HVAC Estimator at Stephany Associates
It is okay to start over. Let me say that again; it is okay to start over.
Even though I am still early in my career, I have already witnessed the two career thought processes. On one hand, there is the so-called “traditional” route. On the other hand, there is the modern trend of “pivoting.” One route is staying with a company for years and the other changing companies every few years. At the end of the day, I believe there is an argument for both, but when you think about it, we are living in a world that is encouraging change.
Let’s take a step back, what happens when a career change isn’t your choice?
What happens when a layoff, a termination, or other circumstances cut your path short? In those moments, a heavy sense of self-doubt comes into play. You may find yourself spiraling into the “why me?” phase. I know I did. Whether you are fresh in your career or a seasoned veteran, we all feel that same pit in our stomachs when a plan we worked hard to build suddenly crumbles. Coming from someone who has stood in those exact shoes, I can tell you the questions will repeat in your head. “Why wasn’t my experience enough?” “Why didn’t my interview wow them?” “Why is that company ghosting me?” These are valid, painful questions many women, especially those who had a set career plan, often feel the weight of. But those questions do NOT define you. Trust in yourself and know that things WILL work out. When my own journey hit a standstill, I found myself navigating the “self-doubt” vs “building myself back up to be better” mindsets. Just when I thought I had my career path set, I was pushed down – hard. I quickly learned that career paths aren’t always parallel. If you find yourself letting the “self-doubt” part of your brain win, like I did, reach out to PA Women work.
After meeting with a career coach at PA Women Work my mindset improved, just after one conversation. I felt seen and heard. Even if you have a support system, there is something about this organization that makes you feel better about your career journey. For example, I quickly realized that while I felt isolated in my “failure,” I was actually surrounded by women who had all been through their own versions of a “start over.” One of the most impactful parts of my journey was the relationship I formed with my mentor through the 3 Cups of Coffee program.
I remember going into the first conversation feeling embarrassed. However, my mentor helped me realize a fundamental truth that I think we all need to hear: that no career path is a straight line, it is okay to start over. We are taught to view our careers like a ride up the Pittsburgh incline, straight upward. But in reality, they look more like navigating the Fort Pitt Tunnels during rush hour. You move straight, you move sideways, and sometimes you have to stop to let someone over. My mentor helped me see that my experience was just paving the road to something bigger and better.
Change and transition are uncomfortable. There is no way to sugar coat that. If I have learned anything throughout my career journey so far, it is that growth rarely happens in a comfort zone. However, the employees and volunteers at PA Women Work have a unique and motivating way of turning that discomfort into a spark. They show you through their own experiences that when things get tough, it isn’t a sign of weakness. In fact, it’s often the best time to make a change and prove to yourself what you can really do.
Everyone there has a story. You have a story. A story of a door closing, a plan failing, a life changing moment, a new chapter, or a fresh start.
For women in the workforce, career transitions are often more complex, but those shifts are where we can find our real power. By starting over, you aren’t losing progress or experience; you are gaining more connections, taking more classes, and becoming more confident.
If you are currently sitting in that “why me?” phase, staring at your inbox for an email or wondering if your experience is enough, please listen: you are valued and your path hasn’t ended, it’s just uploading. My time as a mentee and a volunteer at PA Women Work has taught me that my value isn’t tied to a specific company; it is tied to my ability to adapt, learn, and keep showing up day after day.
It is okay to take a step back. It is okay to ask for help. It is okay to start over. Think of it this way, you aren’t back at square one; you’re starting the next chapter with everything you’ve already learned! And with me and a community like PA Women Work behind you, the next path you build might just be the one that finally feels like home.