 My career journey began as a youth pastor in Cape Town, a role I embraced as a teenager with genuine passion for people. But over time, I found myself wanting more: the tools and training to help people reach their full potential. That desire led me to Psychology. In 2013, I embarked on a career change, and by 2018 I had completed my studies as an Educational Psychologist. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my life. If you are questioning whether a career change is worth pursuing, you are in good company. Research increasingly suggests that career transitions are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Estimates indicate that individuals may change careers between three and seven times over the course of their working lives (OECD, 2024). Rather than signalling instability, these transitions are increasingly understood as evidence of a more adaptive and evolving approach to work and personal development. In support of this shift, recent findings show that 83% of workers now prioritise work–life balance over salary, marking the first time that balance has overtaken pay as the leading workplace priority (Randstad, 2025). Research consistently shows that individuals experience greater job satisfaction, engagement, and well-being when their work aligns with their strengths, interests, and personal characteristics (Bischof, 2021; American Psychological Association, 2024). Conversely, when there is a mismatch between a person's abilities and the demands of their occupation, job satisfaction tends to decline. Career assessments can help bridge this gap by enabling more informed career decisions or transitions. For me, discovering Psychology was a turning point. It allowed me to align my natural abilities and passion for helping others with a meaningful vocation. This alignment transformed my work from simply earning a living into a career that provides both purpose and fulfillment.  Before You Resign: Consider These Steps Explore your current field thoroughly before making a leap. There may be a role at your existing organisation, or within your industry, that fits you far better. Only once those options are exhausted should you consider a broader shift. When you are ready, here is practical advice:
The best time for a career assessment is while you or your child is still in school, ideally between Grade 9 and Grade 12. This allows teenagers to become career-ready and enter higher education with purpose and direction, which often improves academic motivation and performance. That said, it is never too late, a career assessment at 30, 40, or even 50 can be life-changing.   The Journey Is Worth It Becoming an Educational Psychologist was not a short road. But the ability to guide people toward self-discovery, resilience, and purposeful living makes every year of study worthwhile. Using psychology, assessment tools, and counselling to help individuals find where they belong in the world, that is what I love about what I do. Whether you are 20 or 60, a career change is not a detour. It may well be the main road. After all, life is about far more than just the destination. References
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