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At some point, many interior design professionals start thinking about making a career change. I have encountered numerous senior designers who have left full‐time practice in order to teach at a university or community college. Other designers seek the possibilities of additional income by obtaining positions as sales reps with manufacturers and vendors. And, frankly, some leave the profession to do something out of the profession.

There are many reasons why someone makes a career change after years in the profession. Some common reasons are:

 Lack of respect by boss

 Contributions to the firm are not valued TABLE 4‐3. Career advancement strategiesDevelop goals and a plan.Improve your professional skills, especially the technical ones related to execution of interior design projects.Obtain appropriate additional education, such as in codes, management, accounting, and marketing.Obtain credentials that enhance your expertise: NCIDQ certification, licenses, LEED® accreditation, CAP certification, and others.Become involved in a professional association for professional growth and professional networking.Seek out and join (or at least go to meetings of) professional associations or groups where your potential clients attend.Become comfortable speaking in public and/or speaking to strangers. Join groups like Toastmasters to help with this skill.Be positive and don't complain.Be dependable. Go above and beyond your expected responsibilities when practicable.Be a team player, not a prima donna.Leave your personal problems at home.If you are set on leaving, plan with money in the bank for expenses, an up‐to‐date resumé, and—once again—a plan.

 Lack of challenge

 Office environment has become difficult and overly stressful

 Work responsibilities have negatively affected personal life responsibilities

 Compensation has become stagnant

 No longer find the work interesting

Not everyone develops these negative feelings. Most interior designers find the profession challenging and satisfying. Some stay with a single firm for many years, perhaps working their way up to management or partnership. Nevertheless, any job is stressful at times, and even when the economy is booming this profession can be very competitive.

One day you may find that your current job does not suit your needs anymore. “You can come up with a million (untrue) reasons why you can't leave a situation you dislike. But when you deny reality (or the depth of your unhappiness), it has a way of catching up with you.”²

Before you cut the cord and quit your job or close your studio, you had best think about what it is you still want to do and why you think you are dissatisfied. Lots of jobs require long hours. Lots of jobs are stressful. And in lots of jobs you have to work with (in some way or another) difficult people. It is critical that you assess your current situation at work, your skills, and your interests in new directions.

Look at the job you have, and perhaps talk with someone you trust who can help you see if the current situation isn't really awful but just has to be fine‐tuned. If you work for someone else, discuss changes in your responsibilities within the company. Think about whether options like a marketing emphasis rather than strictly design planning can work in the current job, and then talk to the boss. Come prepared with some strategies for this new position within your current company rather than expecting the boss to show you the way. When it's your own business, make contact with a business coach who can help you find new options for your business efforts.

If you are unhappy and think you want a totally new direction, you may need to go all the way back to books that can help clarify interests. You can start by answering the questions in Table 4‐4. You might also find Robert Bolles's What Color Is Your Parachute? a useful tool to help you redefine your interests. It is updated every year. These suggestions don't make you investigate the whole of the situation, but they can get you headed in a promising direction.

An important part of the evaluation and decision process is talking to someone who knows you well and will keep your confidences as you contemplate making a career change. If it is going to be something dramatic, such as moving from a design/planning position to one in sales, talk to people who already are working in that position, especially those who have been designers before. They can help you understand what it is like to make a transition and warn you about problems with making a career change.

When you are certain about your new career path, make sure that you can afford to make the change. As discussed in Chapters 19–23, starting your own practice is neither inexpensive nor easy. And if teaching is your goal, keep in mind that teaching salaries are not on a par with the compensation that senior designers are accustomed to.

Finding a new job, especially in a different field, takes time. Figuring out for sure what it is you want to do and where you want to do it is just the start. You need to consider any impact on your family. When you are going to be able to interview without the boss finding out is another consideration. Some bosses will fire someone who they discover is looking around for a new job feeling the person is no longer committed to the current firm.

You might also need to obtain different credentials to seek out a new career option. Full‐time faculty at most institutions are generally required to have a master's degree. Becoming involved in sustainable design can involve obtaining LEED^® certification or accreditation. Moving to a state that has licensing laws may also require that you get more education or meet other standards.

TABLE 4‐4. Questions to help evaluate a possible job or career change

What is scariest about changing careers?List three to five reasons why you want to leave your present job.List three to five reasons why you should stay in your present job.What was the reason—the last straw—that helped you decide to leave?Did you regret leaving a previous job?Do you wish that you had left that other job (or this one) sooner?Is there a particular circumstance that would convince you to stay?If you leave, how will you support yourself during a transition should you be fired during the job search?If you leave, are you really acting in your own best interests?Why do you think it is time to make a total career change?What will you be looking for in a new career that the current one does not provide?Are you prepared for a major difference in income if you embark on a totally new career?Do you have a plan for your future related to making a career change?

An important issue is to not burn your bridges. Walking in and quitting one day without giving notice and with projects unfinished will cause a lot of problems for both the company and you. The company may not be very willing to give you a recommendation, assuming you need it. You might not be able to take current clients with you to your new position or even use past projects as part of a portfolio. If you have previously signed an employment contract, conditions in that contract may make some choices difficult.

Once you know what you are going to do, give ample notice, say thank you for the experience of working there, and say good‐bye gracefully. And remember, for most of you, Thomas Wolfe was right—you can't go home again. It is unlikely that you will want to return to your old position, and it is also unlikely that they will want you back. So think very carefully before making a change.