For as long as I can remember, I have chased meaning in my work.
And I have found it.
Over and over again.
Yet, I also realized something else—I change. 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗧. Constantly.
In fact, I thrive on change. More than anyone I know. I am a change-chaser : )
I love transforming and rebuilding. In my life. In my work.
So naturally I explored various ways to step into a new field or move into a new industry.
Meaningful work comes in many different forms.
So I wondered, how can we actually apply design thinking to our career growth and career change.
So what does that mean for your long-term career growth?
From Job Hunt to Career Design
Let’s first take a look at the principles of Design Thinking
1. Empathize with Your User
Start by understanding who you’re designing for. Use empathy maps or personas to explore their needs, goals, and pain points.
In our career context:
- Start by understanding who you’re designing for: YOU
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What does a fulfilling work life look like? Explore want is important to you, your passions, you joy blockers and what you cannot live without.
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How do you want to feel? What kind of impact do you want to have?
- What kind of environment do you need? What kind of balance do you need, are salary and family support important to you?
2. Define the Problem
Turn your insights into a clear, focused challenge. Align with stakeholders and data to define what really needs solving.
In our career context:
Career growth is a design challenge, not a crisis.
So look at it like:
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“I’ve outgrown my current role”
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“I want to make a bigger impact”
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“I’m successful, but not fulfilled”
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3. Generate Ideas
Now, think big. Brainstorm freely without judgment, then narrow down your ideas to the ones that are most creative, viable, and aligned with your goals.
In our career context:
Use brainstorming techniques to explore possibilities – take a walk on the wild side, what seems impossible or a exciting new path for you:
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Lateral moves
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Passion projects
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Leadership vs. craft expertise
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Starting a side business
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4. Prototype
Build simple versions of your idea to bring it to life. Prototypes let you test quickly, get user reactions, and improve before going all in.
In our career context:
Instead of making one big leap, try one of these – make sure you are testing ideas before committing fully. Always remember – you may try and realize you dislike it. You may realize your work feels completely different to what you had imagined. The opposite can be true for things you may not want to try 😉
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Informational interviews
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Side projects
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Volunteering or secondments
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Mini-courses or sabbaticals
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5. Test
Put your prototype in front of real users. Collect honest feedback, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and be ready to loop back and refine.
In our career context:
Career growth isn’t linear. Use reflection and feedback loops to change and adapt. Sidestep, move up and down.
Imagine like you are “designing in beta.”
Similar to what coaches are doing for a coaching program or new software is running in beta first to get feedback from the market (aka YOU in your career) and then adapt as you need.
Ready to take it further? Learn how to apply Design Thinking to find your next job. [Read: How to Use Design Thinking to Find Your next Job]
