New Year, New Job? Knowing When It’s Time for a Change

Career change is rarely sudden. More often, it begins quietly, with a feeling that something no longer fits, even if it once did.

Across the Women Offshore community, many professionals shared that their decision to make a change was not driven by failure, but by self-awareness. Larkin Bohn reflects on how reinvention often starts with allowing yourself to acknowledge discomfort instead of pushing through it indefinitely. There is strength in recognizing when a role, pace, or environment no longer aligns with who you are becoming.

Common signals emerged across these stories: burnout that rest could not resolve, curiosity about new paths that refused to fade, or a growing sense that skills and energy were being underutilized. These moments are often dismissed as doubt, yet many ambassadors now see them differently, as data. Information that points toward healthier, more sustainable career paths.

Importantly, career change does not require a dramatic leap. Many professionals emphasized the power of small, intentional steps: updating a résumé, reaching out to a mentor, volunteering for a different assignment, or quietly exploring opportunities before making a decision. These actions create clarity without pressure and allow space for reflection.

Women Offshore Ambassador and longtime community supporter Max Kantor recently shared her experience of stepping away for a sabbatical from her role as Chief Mate aboard a research vessel. Her decision was rooted not in dissatisfaction with the work itself, it had long been a dream role, but in the realization that the schedule had begun to take a toll. By being honest with herself and her employer, Max was able to step back, rest, and re-evaluate her goals while leaving on positive terms. She hopes to return in a relief capacity in the future, illustrating that change does not have to mean closing doors.

Her story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most responsible decision is to pause, reassess, and listen. Career transitions do not need to be marked by rupture or drama. They can be thoughtful, respectful, and even joyful.

The key takeaway is this: change is not a failure of resilience. Often, resilience means listening closely to what you need next, and giving yourself permission to respond.

If you are navigating a career transition and would like to share your experience with the Women Offshore community, please email [email protected].