Career Transitions Are Harder Than We Admit
A short, original community poll exploring how people experience career transitions, the role of fear and mentorship, and why support and relationships matter more than we often realize during moments of change.
By Priscila • November 11, 2025
Career transitions are often framed as exciting, bold, and empowering. But behind those headlines, there is usually uncertainty, fear, doubt, and a deep need for support. Based on my own experiences and the conversations I have with people around me, I started to notice a pattern. Many of us are navigating change quietly. New roles, career pivots, layoffs, growth opportunities, and moments of feeling stuck are all happening at once, often without enough space to talk about how it really feels.
That curiosity is what led me to run a small, original poll with my own community. I wanted to better understand how people actually experience career transitions and whether they truly feel supported during those moments. This poll was shared with my professional and personal network through social media and focused on the role of community, mentorship, fear, and relationships during periods of change.
Poll Questions Asked
Have you ever gone through a career transition that felt overwhelming?
Did you feel supported during that phase?
What helped you more: training or people?
Did fear ever stop you from asking for help?
Was mentorship part of your journey?
Do you believe relationships matter more than skills in the long run?
Would you support someone going through a similar transition?
Sample Size: 10 people
Key Results
76% said they had experienced an overwhelming career transition
Only 30% felt supported during that time
43% said people mattered more than training
A striking 90% admitted fear stopped them from asking for help
Just 15% had access to mentorship
46% believe relationships matter more than skills
100% said they would actively support someone going through the same experience
What stood out to me most is the emotional contrast hidden inside these numbers. While nearly everyone has felt overwhelmed at some point, less than a third actually felt supported. Even more striking is that fear stopped nine out of ten people from asking for help. That alone says a lot about how vulnerable and isolating career transitions can feel, even when we appear confident on the outside.
At the same time, every single respondent said they would support someone else going through change. That contrast is powerful. We struggle to ask for help ourselves, yet we are fully willing to give it to others. That tension between independence and community feels very real in today’s professional landscape.
Limitations of This Poll
This was a small, non-random sample drawn mostly from my own network, which means the results cannot be generalized to a broader population. Responses may also reflect personal proximity to the topic and platform bias. Still, this snapshot offers meaningful insight into how people in my community experience transition and support.
This poll confirmed something I deeply believe. Growth may be personal, but it is rarely meant to be carried alone. Career transitions are not just about resumes and roles. They are about identity, confidence, fear, and the people who surround us during moments of change.
And if there is one thing these responses made clear, it is this: people need people.
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
Image generated using Canva AI.
By Priscila • November 11, 2025
Career transitions are often framed as exciting, bold, and empowering. But behind those headlines, there is usually uncertainty, fear, doubt, and a deep need for support. Based on my own experiences and the conversations I have with people around me, I started to notice a pattern. Many of us are navigating change quietly. New roles, career pivots, layoffs, growth opportunities, and moments of feeling stuck are all happening at once, often without enough space to talk about how it really feels.
That curiosity is what led me to run a small, original poll with my own community. I wanted to better understand how people actually experience career transitions and whether they truly feel supported during those moments. This poll was shared with my professional and personal network through social media and focused on the role of community, mentorship, fear, and relationships during periods of change.
Poll Questions Asked
Have you ever gone through a career transition that felt overwhelming?
Did you feel supported during that phase?
What helped you more: training or people?
Did fear ever stop you from asking for help?
Was mentorship part of your journey?
Do you believe relationships matter more than skills in the long run?
Would you support someone going through a similar transition?
Sample Size: 10 people
Key Results
76% said they had experienced an overwhelming career transition
Only 30% felt supported during that time
43% said people mattered more than training
A striking 90% admitted fear stopped them from asking for help
Just 15% had access to mentorship
46% believe relationships matter more than skills
100% said they would actively support someone going through the same experience
What stood out to me most is the emotional contrast hidden inside these numbers. While nearly everyone has felt overwhelmed at some point, less than a third actually felt supported. Even more striking is that fear stopped nine out of ten people from asking for help. That alone says a lot about how vulnerable and isolating career transitions can feel, even when we appear confident on the outside.
At the same time, every single respondent said they would support someone else going through change. That contrast is powerful. We struggle to ask for help ourselves, yet we are fully willing to give it to others. That tension between independence and community feels very real in today’s professional landscape.
Limitations of This Poll
This was a small, non-random sample drawn mostly from my own network, which means the results cannot be generalized to a broader population. Responses may also reflect personal proximity to the topic and platform bias. Still, this snapshot offers meaningful insight into how people in my community experience transition and support.
This poll confirmed something I deeply believe. Growth may be personal, but it is rarely meant to be carried alone. Career transitions are not just about resumes and roles. They are about identity, confidence, fear, and the people who surround us during moments of change.
And if there is one thing these responses made clear, it is this: people need people.
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
Image generated using Canva AI.
By Priscila • November 11, 2025
Career transitions are often framed as exciting, bold, and empowering. But behind those headlines, there is usually uncertainty, fear, doubt, and a deep need for support. Based on my own experiences and the conversations I have with people around me, I started to notice a pattern. Many of us are navigating change quietly. New roles, career pivots, layoffs, growth opportunities, and moments of feeling stuck are all happening at once, often without enough space to talk about how it really feels.
That curiosity is what led me to run a small, original poll with my own community. I wanted to better understand how people actually experience career transitions and whether they truly feel supported during those moments. This poll was shared with my professional and personal network through social media and focused on the role of community, mentorship, fear, and relationships during periods of change.
Poll Questions Asked
Have you ever gone through a career transition that felt overwhelming?
Did you feel supported during that phase?
What helped you more: training or people?
Did fear ever stop you from asking for help?
Was mentorship part of your journey?
Do you believe relationships matter more than skills in the long run?
Would you support someone going through a similar transition?
Sample Size: 10 people
Key Results
76% said they had experienced an overwhelming career transition
Only 30% felt supported during that time
43% said people mattered more than training
A striking 90% admitted fear stopped them from asking for help
Just 15% had access to mentorship
46% believe relationships matter more than skills
100% said they would actively support someone going through the same experience
What stood out to me most is the emotional contrast hidden inside these numbers. While nearly everyone has felt overwhelmed at some point, less than a third actually felt supported. Even more striking is that fear stopped nine out of ten people from asking for help. That alone says a lot about how vulnerable and isolating career transitions can feel, even when we appear confident on the outside.
At the same time, every single respondent said they would support someone else going through change. That contrast is powerful. We struggle to ask for help ourselves, yet we are fully willing to give it to others. That tension between independence and community feels very real in today’s professional landscape.
Limitations of This Poll
This was a small, non-random sample drawn mostly from my own network, which means the results cannot be generalized to a broader population. Responses may also reflect personal proximity to the topic and platform bias. Still, this snapshot offers meaningful insight into how people in my community experience transition and support.
This poll confirmed something I deeply believe. Growth may be personal, but it is rarely meant to be carried alone. Career transitions are not just about resumes and roles. They are about identity, confidence, fear, and the people who surround us during moments of change.
And if there is one thing these responses made clear, it is this: people need people.
Written by Priscila, reflecting on growth through career shifts, community, and lived experience.
Image generated using Canva AI.
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