"Working Identity, Updated Edition, With a New Preface" - Summary

People go through career transitions for many reasons. The traditional model of having one lifelong career has given way to more fluid, self-directed career paths. Now, it is common for people to change careers multiple times to find more meaningful or fulfilling work.

Career transitions involve complex identity shifts. People's sense of self is intertwined with their work. So changing careers means revising core parts of one's identity. It is a process of exploring new possible selves and integrating these possibilities into new conceptions of who one is and who one wants to become.

The transition period between careers is an in-between time of questioning old identities and trying out new ones. People generate ideas, take classes, start side projects, talk to contacts, or take sabbaticals to test out new directions. Over time, through experimentation, they gravitate towards certain possibilities and discard others. Eventually, a new working identity emerges that feels like an authentic expression of their talents, values and priorities.

Career reinvention is challenging but also an opportunity for growth. It requires courage, self-reflection and perseverance. With an openness to explore new directions and a willingness to learn, people can find their way to more meaningful work that aligns with who they aspire to be. The process of reinventing oneself professionally ultimately leads to greater self-knowledge. Let's dive into it.