Career guidance counselor, career consultant, and happiness expert Victoria Virta spoke with socialbites.ca about how career guidance can support people over 40 who are seeking clarity, purpose, and a more satisfying work life.
Virta identified several common triggers that push adults to rethink their professional path. Among the top factors are parental pressure during youth shaping career choices and life events that alter priorities later on. For many women, the process of becoming a mother can feel like a turning point in which time seems to vanish and it becomes difficult to imagine re-entering the workforce or changing fields with confidence. These experiences can leave adults asking, is this really the right path for me, or is there a better fit waiting just beyond the horizon?
According to Virta, career guidance goes beyond selecting a job. It helps adults understand their working style, strengths, and values so they can align their life goals with a viable professional plan. It is a structured process that offers self-discovery, validating that past choices were not random and that a thoughtful pivot is possible when the time is right. Before making a major life change, she suggests weighing the advantages and potential drawbacks, ensuring that decisions rest on a clear understanding of one’s own priorities and capabilities.
For those contemplating a shift, Virta recommends reaching out to a qualified career counselor who specializes in the desired field. A counselor can provide more than resume advice; they can map out the steps to enter a new industry, outline typical career stages, and set realistic expectations for what the new role will demand at each stage. This guidance can be especially valuable in markets such as Canada and the United States, where industry requirements and credential expectations can vary by region and sector.
After choosing a target path, the conversation with a counselor often continues with practical actions: developing multiple tailored resumes that emphasize relevant strengths for different opportunities, crafting concise cover letters that explain genuine interest in each option, and preparing for tests or tasks that demonstrate capability. Virta notes that a calm, methodical approach to assessments helps candidates present a compelling case for their fit. (Attribution: Victoria Virta, career guidance expert)
In conversation with viewers and readers, Virta also underscores the importance of building a flexible plan. The best outcomes frequently arise from a balanced mix of self-awareness, market research, and stepwise experimentation. For instance, individuals may explore temporary roles, freelance projects, or volunteer work to gain firsthand insight into a new field while maintaining current income. These experiences can inform decisions about long-term training, certification, or formal education if needed. This practical strategy is particularly relevant in dynamic economies across Canada and the United States, where career landscapes shift rapidly and adaptability pays off.
Ultimately, the message is clear: adults are not doomed to stay in a single professional lane. With thoughtful guidance, they can reframe their career narrative, acknowledge the value of their existing experience, and chart a path forward that honors both personal fulfillment and professional viability. (Cited: Victoria Virta, career guidance expert)
Whether a person is contemplating a return to the workforce after a break, a complete industry switch, or a gradual shift toward more meaningful work, career guidance serves as a roadmap. It helps individuals articulate what they want from work, identify gaps to bridge, and design a plan that makes the new path credible to employers. By combining self-reflection with actionable steps, career guidance empowers people to navigate transitions with confidence and clarity. (Endorsement: Victoria Virta, career guidance expert)