^{August 10, 2024}

How to Make a Mid-Year Career Change Without Burning Bridges

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You’re considering a career change, but the thought of leaving your current position mid-year feels like an emotional minefield. You’ve built strong relationships with your administrators and colleagues (and let’s not forget about your students), and leaving might not just be difficult—it could feel like a betrayal of trust and history. The fear of losing their respect weighs heavily on your decision-making process.

*This week's issue is for those of you who have good relationships with their colleagues.

**If you have bad relationships at your current school, your newsletter issue is coming next Saturday.

Mental Health Check: Why This Matters

Career changes are already complex, but when you add the emotional ties and deep respect you have for your current team, the stakes feel even higher. It’s not just about finding a new job; it’s about preserving relationships and maintaining your professional reputation. Leaving mid-year could impact not only your relationships but also how you're perceived in your industry. The concern is that a hasty exit might burn bridges you’ve worked so hard to build.

Common Solutions You're Likely Considering and Why They Might Not Work:

• Waiting Until the End of the Year: This is the most common solution—simply toughing it out until a more "acceptable" time to leave. While this might minimize immediate fallout, it could mean staying in a role that no longer fulfills you, potentially leading to burnout and resentment.
  
  
• Open Communication: Some people suggest having an open conversation with your administrators and colleagues about your intentions. While transparency is crucial, it can also create tension and uncertainty, especially if your decision isn’t fully formed yet.
  
  
• Compartmentalizing Your Emotions: Another approach is to emotionally detach from the decision, treating it purely as a professional move. However, this can be challenging, especially when your relationships and sense of loyalty are so intertwined with your professional identity.

A Better Approach For You:

Instead of viewing this as a binary choice—either staying for the sake of relationships or leaving for personal growth—consider a blended approach that prioritizes both. Here’s how:

1. Craft a Transition Plan: If you decide to leave, present a well-thought-out transition plan to your administrators. This plan could include helping to find or train your replacement, ensuring projects are on track, or offering to stay involved in a part-time or consulting capacity until the end of the year. This shows that you respect the team's needs while also honoring your own career needs.
   
   
2. Trust Your Relationships: Because you have strong relationships, use them to your advantage. Speak with key stakeholders privately to explain your reasons for leaving and express your commitment to a smooth transition. Their respect for you could lead to understanding and support rather than disappointment. If you face frustration, that’s okay. Your job is to process your needs and emotions and their job is to process theirs.
   
   
3. Focus on Long-Term Impact: Remind yourself and others that career changes are part of professional growth, and while the timing might be difficult, your ultimate goal is to grow in ways that could eventually bring more value to your profession. This shift in perspective can help maintain respect on both sides.

Summary

• Acknowledge the emotional weight of leaving mid-year.
• Craft a detailed transition plan to minimize disruption.
• Leverage strong relationships for support and understanding.
• Emphasize long-term growth for both yourself and the team.

Want to Dive Deeper?

Explore how the Elevated Careers Career Change Accelerator™ can help you navigate the complexities of making a career change while maintaining your professional relationships and reputation. 

Your Next Steps

Ready to make a possible mid-year exit with dignity and minimal stress? 

Here's what do to next:

1. Reflect on what you truly want from your career and why a change is important now.

2. Develop a transition plan that you can present to your administrators.

3. Schedule private conversations with key stakeholders to discuss your decision.

The key to changing careers when the timing isn't perfect is to stay professional and give yourself permission to invest in your own career.

Hope you'll give this a try.

See you next week.