One thing I've noticed lately is that many professionals assume wanting a change means they chose the wrong path.
I don't think that's true.
Recently, I came across a post from a therapist who shared that she still loves helping people, but sitting in 1:1 sessions has started to wear her down. She talked about feeling pulled toward coaching, creating, and showing up in a different way.
What struck me wasn't that she wanted a change.
It was that she still wanted to help people.
Just not in the same capacity.
I see this all the time.
Case managers who want to move into program management.
Social workers who are exploring policy, compliance, or administration.
Counselors who are curious about training, consulting, or leadership.
They often worry that wanting something different means they've failed, given up, or chosen the wrong career.
But what if that's not what's happening?
What if you've simply outgrown the role you've been in?
What if the issue isn't your purpose, but the way you've been carrying it out?
When I left my role as a TANF Case Manager, I struggled with this myself.
I loved helping people.
I loved seeing someone land a job they didn't think they could get.
I loved helping people see possibilities they didn't see for themselves.
What I didn't love anymore was the burnout.
The empathy fatigue.
The feeling that I had nothing left to give.
Becoming an Evaluation Specialist didn't change my purpose.
It changed the way I was able to live it.
I still support people.
I still make an impact.
I just do it differently.
That's why I believe wanting something different doesn't automatically mean you chose wrong.
Sometimes it means you're growing.
Sometimes it means you're ready for a new chapter.
And sometimes it means you're not stuck at all.
You're simply at a crossroads.
To landing what you've earned,
Kourtney Checots
Government Career Strategist
Creator of MISTRANSLATED
You're not unqualified. You're MISTRANSLATED.
Helping social workers, counselors, case managers, and human services professionals gain clarity, translate their experience, and reposition into higher-paying opportunities.
Ready to uncover what's getting lost in translation?
📧 [email protected]
🌐 resumesuccesscoach.com
🧵 @careercoachforhelpers
P.S. Know someone who feels stuck, burned out, or uncertain about what's next? Forward this to them.