It would be nice to reach an age where confidence feels effortless—where we simply know what we’re doing in all areas of life. The reality, however, is that we can only truly master a handful of things at any given time. As we get older, we become familiar with the feeling of competence, and that familiarity can make it surprisingly challenging to become a beginner again.
For many reasons, people are now finding new career paths later in life. Most of the students I teach are between 30 and 55, and they are broadening their knowledge, skill sets, and expectations of what they want their futures to look like. This can be enormously rewarding, but also a little overwhelming.
What I’ve observed is an intensity that often accompanies career changers. First, there is a powerful desire to succeed—fuelled by anxiety, fear, and pride. Second, there is the assumption that previous success guarantees quick success in a new field. In reality, developing new skills takes time, and it’s unrealistic to expect mastery within a few months. Third, many people feel that “time is running out.” If they’re past their thirties, they worry they won’t have enough years in the new career, creating a sense of urgency that can border on desperation.
Yet career changers have an enormous amount to offer. They are often unaware of how competent they already are—whether in communicating with clients, explaining a design carefully, or understanding the subtleties of what someone needs.
The difficulty arises when this intensity meets insecurity. This is where the mentorship programme has been most beneficial. Running for several years now, it provides weekly one-to-one support via a Teams call where new graduates can discuss their progress and the challenges they’re facing. It offers a safe space for exploring ideas without fear of judgment. Trust builds over time, and the programme also includes monthly group sessions with other graduates in similar positions.
These groups are invaluable in consultation-based professions where people often work alone. Isolation can allow self-doubt to creep in. Once those seeds take root, they can cause graduates to question their abilities—sometimes enough to make or break a design career in the first year. The mentorship programme helps disperse those doubts and reinforces the idea that early insecurity is normal, but not insurmountable.
The programme has supported new designers, new landowners, and those faced with making decisions about large landscapes or estates. Landscape design, woodland management planning, and resilient future land stewardship are more important than ever. The responsibility of making the right choices for land—your own or someone else’s—can feel overwhelming. Being part of a mentorship programme has helped many people navigate that transition, whether they are entering a new career or taking on the stewardship of a newly acquired piece of land.
Coaching and mentoring
Self-doubt can make things feel stuck or harder to navigate, especially during times of change.
If this piece connects with your own experience, you might find it helpful to talk things through with someone outside your immediate circle. We offer coaching and mentoring for people who want space to reflect, gain perspective and move forward in ways that feel more grounded and honest.
You can find out more on our Coaching and Mentoring page.
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