Mid-Career Pivot Research
An independent research project exploring what happens when experienced professionals reach a point where their careers no longer feel aligned with who they are becoming.
Looking for professionals with 15+ years of experience to share their story.
Why This Research Matters
Many careers are built through years of dedication, learning, and steady progression. Yet for many professionals, somewhere in the middle of that journey, something begins to shift.
People who have spent 15 or 20 years building expertise in a particular field sometimes reach a point where their work no longer feels fully aligned with who they are becoming. The work may still be successful on the surface, but internally questions start to emerge.
Is this still the direction I want to continue in?
Is there something else I should be exploring?
Is this feeling temporary - or a signal that something deeper needs to change?
These moments are rarely discussed openly. In many professional environments, questioning one’s career direction can feel risky or premature, particularly for people who have invested years building their expertise.
As a result, the early signals of misalignment are often overlooked - both by individuals and by organisations. Over time, this can lead to disengagement, burnout, or abrupt career changes that might have been navigated more consciously if recognised earlier.
This research aims to explore those moments more closely: the early stages when experienced professionals begin questioning their direction, and the factors that influence how they respond.
By understanding these transitions more deeply, the goal is to generate insights that may help individuals navigate career pivots more intentionally - and help organisations better support experienced talent before disengagement takes hold.
This is a 12 month independent research project (starting March’26) focused on mid-career transitions, particularly among professionals who have spent 15+ years in the same field or industry.
The research is based on in-depth qualitative interviews designed to better understand how people experience moments of career questioning, transition, and reinvention.
The goal is to identify patterns, early signals, and possible ways individuals and organisations can navigate these moments more consciously.
About The Research
Who I’m Looking to Speak With
I’m currently speaking with professionals who:
• have already made a meaningful mid-career pivot
• are considering a change but are unsure how to approach it
• remain in mid or senior roles but have started questioning their direction
All interviews are confidential and anonymous (unless participants choose otherwise).
Why Participate
Conversations like these often provide a rare opportunity to reflect openly on one’s career journey.
Many participants find the process valuable in itself, as it allows them to explore questions that are not always easy to discuss in professional environments.
The research also aims to generate insights that may help:
• professionals navigate career transitions more consciously
• organisations better support experienced talent
• leaders detect early signals of disengagement before they escalate
For Organisations & Potential Collaborators
I am also interested in connecting with organisations that may want to collaborate on or support the research.
This may be particularly relevant for organisations thinking about:
• career longevity
• internal mobility
• retaining experienced talent
• leadership development and career transitions
Collaboration could include research partnerships, organisational insights, or early access to findings.
Participate or Get in Touch
If this research resonates with you, I would love to hear from you.
You can:
Participate in an interview
Exchange perspectives
Discuss possible collaboration or support
Contact
Email: agnes@agnestrocinska.com
Support the Research
This is an independent research project exploring mid-career transitions. Contributions help me dedicate more time to interviews, analysis, and sharing insights that may benefit both individuals and organisations.
If you find value in the project and would like to support it, you are welcome to contribute any amount.
Thank you for supporting independent research.