If you are anything like Braden Bonner of Philadelphia, PA, and you probably are, you had a bit of time
during our Covid-19 lockdown(s) to reflect upon your job, question if it is still a good fit, and think about
if you want your future to take a different trajectory by making a change.
The Wall Street Journal has a regular feature called REBOOT/Career Reinvention and Monday’s (June 28, 2021) edition featured Braden’s story of moving from a Director of Technology and Information Systems at a private Philadelphia high school to a system’s engineering position at a very large (77,000
employees) corporation where digital collaboration is the norm.
Braden has lots of company. According to a May 16, 2021 Forbes article, entitled “Why Millions of
Employees Plan to Switch Jobs Post-Pandemic” by Caroline Castrillion, our recent introspection
coupled with a rebounding economy is the catalyst for many to look for new opportunities with a new
employer. Castrillion cites a recent Prudential Financial’s Pulse of the American Worker Survey and
reasons given by respondent’s center around: 1. Career Advancement; 2. Better Benefits; 3. Better
Company Culture; 4. Being able to Work Remotely; and, 5. Better Work-life Balance. May I suggest a 6th motivator that I hear from my clients? Finding a career where they will work most often in the realm
of their natural talents/strengths? I have research that shows that when you can work at least 60% of
your work time in the realm of your natural talents, you are most productive with less stress and sustain
high levels of performance for longer time periods, AND are happier!
As a Career Counselor working with mid-career changers, I have enjoyed reading each of these real-life
stories. No two are alike and all are extremely inspiring and encouraging!