Jianna's Story: From Burnout to Successful Pivot into a New Industry
- Mar 9
- 3 min read
Career pivots can feel both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. For many professionals, the hardest part isn’t just deciding to change industries, it’s figuring out how to do it in a realistic, sustainable way.
That was exactly where Jianna found herself when we first started working together.
Before Coaching: Feeling Lost in the Pivot
At the start of our partnership, Jianna identified strongly with two career personas: Pivoter (someone making a career 180) and someone recovering from burnout. She knew she wanted something different—but turning that desire into a plan felt complicated.
Like many professionals navigating a pivot, the challenge wasn’t just about ambition. It was about logistics, clarity, and time.
“I was struggling with figuring out how to work around my busy schedule to find pockets of time to work on my career pivot."
Beyond time management, Jianna was also trying to answer an even bigger question: Where exactly do I fit in this new industry?
“I struggled with identifying what position, in the industry I wanted to pivot to, would be the best fit for me and needed help finding a direction to start in.”
And underneath it all was a fear many career changers quietly carry: the fear of being told their dream isn’t realistic. “I was worried that I was going to invest money into a process just to be told that the pivot I want to make was not realistic and out of my reach.”
Without guidance, Jianna believes she would have stayed stuck in that uncertainty.
“Without coaching, I would still be very lost and confused about what direction I want to take with my career,” she said. “I also wouldn't know how to market myself with the skills and work experience I currently have, as I wasn't sure what would be relevant to my new industry.”
During Coaching: Building Structure and Direction
Our work together focused on creating clarity and momentum—without adding overwhelm.
One of the biggest breakthroughs for Jianna came from building a realistic, structured schedule around her pivot. Instead of feeling like she had to “figure it all out,” she had dedicated time and clear priorities.
“Thanks to coaching, I now have a schedule with dedicated time carved out to work on my career pivot."
Just as importantly, she gained clarity on how to use that time effectively.
She learned how much time to devote to different activities—networking, researching the publishing industry, and submitting applications—so that her efforts were intentional rather than scattered.
Another key part of the process was translating her past experience into language that made sense for her new industry. Together we refined her resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile so they clearly reflected the skills she could bring to publishing. This helped transform uncertainty into confidence.
After Coaching: Confident Steps Toward a New Industry
With a clear strategy and stronger professional materials in place, Jianna began taking concrete steps toward her new career. For someone pivoting into a new field, that confidence is a powerful shift.
“Since our partnership started I have submitted four applications for positions in the publishing industry that I feel confident in. And that would not have been possible without having the confidence that my updated resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn page appropriately reflected my relevant skills and experiences.”
Instead of feeling lost and overwhelmed, Jianna now has a framework she can rely on as she continues her transition.
Ali Goodin Certified Career Coach in Central FL
I'm a former Disney employee, graphic designer turned career coach, and job transition expert. I created Ful Life Coaching to give professionals of all ages & stages a safe space to navigate career transition. My passion is equipping professionals with the tools and confidence they need to transition in their careers – from launch to retirement – so they can live happier, healthier lives.
