Research Summary
Research Summary
Reinventing Yourself: Identity and Transformation in Professional Careers
Description
Professor Herminia Ibarra is working on a book about people who change careers. The book explains why, when, and how people find themselves at a crossroads in their career and how they develp the skills they need to make their way successfully to a new professional destination. The study is based on in depth interviews with a broad spectrum of accomplished professionals -- lawyers, doctors, managers, scientists, accountants, professors. All have made significant investments of time, education and hard work in their careers and have had their share of success to show for it. But, somewhere along the line their work began to lose meaning, challenge or future prospects. Eventually, they found themselves at a turning point. The book describes the most common paths towards a new career -- growing a side project in one's spare time until it becomes a viable alternative, generating alternative offers, and creating a 'time-out' for personal and professional development such as going back to school. But more importantly, it shows how making a successful transition depends on developing several core abilities.