Becoming a Beginner Again: Identity, Loss, and Growth in Career Transitions

- Add to Calendar 2026-04-22 22:00:00 2026-04-22 23:00:00 Title Description Location CUNY School of Professional Studies | CUNY SPS webmaster@sps.cuny.edu America/New_York public

Online

Changing careers takes courage, but it can also come with an unexpected sense of loss. Stepping into a new field often means leaving behind—a familiar identity, expertise, or sense of competence.

This presentation is designed for students who are coming from somewhere else—whether that’s a different field, role, or professional identity. We’ll explore why career transitions so often bring up self-doubt, disorientation, and questions of belonging, and why these reactions are not signs of failure, but a normal and predictable part of the process.

Participants will leave with a clearer framework for understanding where they are in their transition, along with practical tools to rebuild confidence, integrate past strengths, and develop a renewed sense of competence in a new field.