How I found a career I love and the exact steps I took

Feb 263 min read

People often ask me, “How did you change careers?” The truth? It wasn’t overnight, and it wasn’t easy.

At 25, I had what looked like a “successful” career in clinical research, but inside, I felt lost and disconnected. It took a wake-up call—one I never saw coming—to make me realise I couldn’t keep living a life that didn’t feel like mine. What happened next was a journey of self-discovery, risk-taking, and a whole lot of trial and error. And through it all, I found a path that finally felt right.

1. Being Honest with Myself

My wake-up call came at my parents’ funeral. They had been killed in a car accident when I was in my mid-20s, and as I sat listening to their eulogies and all about their passions in life that had taken them all over the world, I had a gut-wrenching realisation:

"I don’t even know what I like doing, let alone what I’m passionate about. How did I get here? And what do I do now?"

At the time, I had a Master’s in Pharmacology and was working in clinical research for a multinational pharmaceutical company. On paper, I had "made it." In reality, I was miserable—constantly sick with headaches, struggling with terrible acne, and feeling completely disconnected from my work.

Grief forced me to be brutally honest with myself. I started journaling, reading every self-help book I could find, and working through my feelings in counseling. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I knew one thing for sure: I couldn’t keep doing this.

So I made a promise to myself:

"I’m going to follow every inkling that feels better than this. I’m going to take classes, read books, attend lectures, go to shows—whatever it takes to figure out what’s next."

2. Dabbling

Looking back, this phase was essential.

I took painting, dancing, and acting classes. I worked with a life coach. I attended weekend retreats, studied my personality through MBTI, and apprenticed as a personal development workshop facilitator. I even did Outward Bound and The Artist’s Way course.

I became obsessed with self-discovery. And without realising it, I started career coaching—first with my three brothers, who needed guidance, and then with friends and family members.

At that point, I had no idea where this was all leading, but I stayed open. And when we're open, life has a way of guiding us.

3. Guts

Trying new things without a clear endgame? That took guts.

I reduced my full-time job to part-time so I could explore. I tested out different roles. Some didn’t last long; others stuck.

4. Know-How

Through all that experimenting, I found what I loved—career coaching.

But passion alone wasn’t enough. I needed the right skills and experience to make a career out of it.

So I went back to university for a qualification in career development. I took jobs that built my expertise—helping IT students find jobs, working with a corporate trainer, attending CDANZ (Career Development Association of NZ) events, and more.

5. Sweat

Then, I put in the work and got in the game.

I joined one of New Zealand’s leading career consultancies, Career Dynamic, and stayed for seven years. I spent eight years at the University of Auckland as a career consultant. I ran my own private career practice alongside these roles. Eventually, I took the leap into running my business full-time.

Was it scary and sweaty? Absolutely. But totally worth it because that’s where the magic happens. And you can’t win if you never find the guts to suit up and play.

Here’s the lesson:

If you’re feeling stuck, uncertain, or unsure of your next steps, know this—you don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’ve been where you are, and I know what it takes to navigate a career change with clarity, confidence, and courage. It’s not about having all the answers right away—it’s about taking small, deliberate steps forward. Clarity always comes before strategy. And trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

xoxo Liz

P.S. If you're feeling lost in your career, wondering what’s next, or questioning what truly lights you up, you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I know how overwhelming it can feel.

That’s why I created The 3-Step Approach to Work That Feels Right—a free ebook to guide you through the exact process I used to find clarity and build a fulfilling career.

Inside, you’ll discover how to:

✅ Soul Search – Uncover what truly matters to you

✅ Research – Explore possibilities that align with your interests, strengths and values

✅ Job Search – Take confident steps toward work that excites you