Navigating Career Transitions: Focusing on the Journey, Not Just the Destination

By Paige McDonough

How do you prepare your clients for a career path that’s anything but predictable? 

As career advisors and educators, we often support others through their transitions, but what happens when we find ourselves in the middle of one? I invite you to walk through my journey with a different lens: not just as a personal story, but as a guide to help those you support embrace the uncertainty and opportunity of career change. 

When I stepped off the plane in my new home of Brisbane, Australia, I had just hours to prepare for an interview at the University of Queensland. The role? Transition Advisor - Careers. My mission would be to help first-year students bridge the gap between high school and university life. Little did I know, “transition” wouldn’t just be part of my job description, it would define the next decade of my life. 

Following my husband’s global career meant navigating repeated moves, organizational restructures, and even transitions out of military life. These were not the carefully mapped career steps I once envisioned, but they were real, relatable, and rich with learning. 

So how do we help others thrive through unexpected career shifts? 

Many students and professionals alike are conditioned to chase the “dream job,” a role that offers security, fulfillment, and purpose. But what happens when life reroutes that dream? In my experience, the key isn’t to stop dreaming, but to stop chasing. Instead, we can teach others to focus on the journey, to get comfortable being uncomfortable, and to find growth in the in-between. 

For example, my first role at UQ was a three-month backfill contract. Not exactly the stable trajectory I wanted. But it was a start. I took the job, nervously, and threw myself into the work. That short-term role eventually turned into five years of professional development, multiple contract extensions, and a new level of confidence. Along the way, I built skills I never expected: resilience, adaptability, and an ability to network that my shy self had long avoided. 

The mindset shift was everything. 

As practitioners, we often reference frameworks like the Chaos Theory of Careers, which reminds us that unpredictability isn’t a detour, it’s part of the plan. And when we help students or clients embrace this truth, we empower them to respond with curiosity instead of fear, with flexibility instead of frustration. 

So, here’s my takeaway: for you, and for those you support: Let’s stop viewing career transitions as setbacks. Let’s start framing them as opportunities to learn, stretch, and evolve. Because our careers aren’t just about where we end up, they’re about who we become along the way. 

Invite your students to explore. Encourage your clients to reflect. And remind them (and maybe yourself) that even the most unexpected turns can lead to meaningful destinations. 

Because in this work, and in life, the journey is where the real growth happens.  About the author: Paige McDonough, MEd, CCC, GCDF, is the Senior Director of Career Development at Kuder and its professional learning division, the Institute for Career Advising & Development (ICAD). With over 15 years of global experience in career counseling and workforce development, she leads the design and delivery of professional training programs that support educators, advisors, and HR professionals, while providing strategic guidance on the development and implementation of impactful career development initiatives. In 2025, Paige was recognized by NCDA through the Outstanding Career Practitioner Award for her innovative, personable approach to advancing career development around the world.