ST. LOUIS — The last two years of uncertainty have caused many to look closer at their personal and professional lives and make some serious life changes. It even has a name, "The Pandemic Flux Syndrome".
"Somewhere between 60 and 70% of people are completely changing course in their careers" according to the founder of "My Mentor's Circle", Ariane Hunter.
More time spent at home during the pandemic has people craving meaningful change more than ever.
What's giving people the courage to take the leap?
"It really allowed an opportunity to hit the reset button and reevaluate and reassess what's now important in their lives and careers," Hunter said.
Hunter says the decisions many are considering now include taking a leap in starting a new company, changing titles, taking on new responsibilities or negotiating a pay raise.
"Whether it's a career change or a life change sometimes we just want to stay in our comfort zones but making a change can be one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and even those around you."
A recent study found one in three workers are considering leaving their job and only seven percent say they are in their dream job.
Networking plays an integral role. Experts suggest you lean on those in your field or connect through resources like LinkedIn, put pen to paper or utilize tools and resources online.
A tool Hunter suggests is called Evernote.
"Using a task feature on Evernote can keep you organized around that and breaking down your goals into small incremental steps", said Hunter.
The hottest sectors you may want to start researching if you want to change your field, according to Hunter, are technology, education, hospitality, fintech, software engineering and UX design.
According to the Census Bureau, more than 4.4 million new businesses were created in the U.S. during 2020 — the highest total on record. We see these numbers the highest in Black communities.
Hunter's debut book, Dreaming on Purpose: A Manifesto for Black Women on Taking the Leap & Building Her Business Baby is a business leadership book for Black women due out Fall 2022. Ariane draws on decades of experience working for the top marketing and branding agencies in New York City and supporting high-profile clients to become key players in their industry.