Thinking about my next (career) move
Here I am, late-30s languishing on a grey Sunday afternoon. After finishing my first real week-long vacation in 4ish years without even side-hussling, a thought is growing: I don't really want to...
Here I am, late-30s languishing on a grey Sunday afternoon. After finishing my first real week-long vacation in 4ish years without even side-hussling, a thought is growing: I don't really want to go back, what's next?
I've browsed topics discussing career changes/pivots when the OP has a desired endpoint, but I could use help brainstorming one step earlier: how to figure out what jobs/career move I might like, might be feasible/pragmatic for me, and even just exist?
Meandering background
if tl/dr, skip to questions below
My current job (ux/comms) is objectively decent for pay, coworkers, work/life balance. I'm good at it, and have had some advancement in my 5+ years. So, not in a rush to jump ship. Unless the trend for in-office hits me, or ai tools kill my main job (like they have my side-hussle); tbh, these concerns are influencing my thought process to degrees.
I'm in Canada (Ontario), which likely needs to remain 'home base' for a while due to house, partner, aging family, though I could move/travel for short stints.
I hold a mouldering M.Sc. in biology/evironmental stuff. Work experience in academic writing + UX. It'd be neat to dust off my degrees in some manner, but I don't have a deep hidden passion for one particular job; all of my jobs I've half fell into as much as worked for. Could swing 1 maybe 2 years of retraining if the cost-benefit were worth it. I don't expect to become wealthy, but would like an at-least median earning potential.
Questions
- Any overall life advice or thoughts on that 'something new' itch? Maybe I shouldn't equate it with my career alone?
- Do you have general guidance/anecdotes on how to meaningfully explore job/career desires or options?
- Do you know of niche job opportunities/fields that might tie into skills in various combinations of ux, communication, biology, environmental sciences, possibly healthcare? Or, how to find them? Especially in the Canadian job market context?
Housekeeping: feel free to change group/tags if appropriate. This is also a lot more than I typically share online, I may remove some personal details later.