Life's too short


to be unhappy at work

CAREER COUNSELLING FOR MID-CAREER PROFESSIONALS

 A fulfilling career feels good. Like 'jump-out-of-bed-on-a-Monday-morning' good. 

It impacts every aspect of your life. When you are fulfilled at work it gives you confidence. And a positive energy people notice. When you're happy in your work, it affects how you interact with everyone. Including those you love most.

Whether you're a leader, technical expert or professional all-rounder,

You deserve to find your niche and thrive in it.
Tell me how

"I still can't believe I get paid to do something I love"

Feeling stuck?


You’re not alone. 

Many of my clients feel frustrated when we first speak. They've been spending days, weeks or even months going around in circles on the internet.

And most have only just discovered that there's help available - they've always believed that Career Counselling is only for high-school kids!

If you want to get clear and find the career you'll love, you’re in the right place. I can show you exactly how to uncover all your options and re-define your future.

After the lightbulb went on, I completed a Master of Career Development and earned my stripes in the University of Western Australia careers service before building my private practice. 

So you can stop scrolling endlessly through Seek!

Stop wasting your precious time. And start making actual progress towards the life you want.

If you're ready to make a change, click the button and find out how.

Find your options

Career Counselling with Anna Black

Learn more about me and my own career change story here.

Here's how I can help.
AS SEEN ON

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

This is a paragraph. Writing in paragraphs lets visitors find what they are looking for quickly and easily.

Learn more

Company Name

Ellie's Story  

"Now I feel capable, confident and at peace. I was so clear about what I was looking for, my new company created the job I wanted"

Anna Black interviewing client, Ellie, about her Career Counselling experience
If you want to achieve this for yourself and get clear on your career path, click the button to find out how
Show me how

"My career counselling experience with Anna resulted in razor-sharp clarity on how to proceed"

Still curious?

Extraordinary or Mediocre Life. Which do you want?

By Anna Black • March 20, 2024
A guy reached out to me on LinkedIn interested in what I do. I called him and we had the most engaging conversation. I know the pain points of people who are dissatisfied with their careers. Everyone is a little different, but the shared experiences are very similar. There are always common themes. But every now and then, someone will articulate the challenges in a new way. This particular gentleman has been in his current role for around 5 years. He's not feeling challenged or motivated and there are no new opportunities for him within his current organisation. No "glimmer of hope", as he put it. So he's been applying for roles externally. Each one has something that interests him to a degree. But each only has the scope to be an incremental improvement on where he is now. Perhaps a little more responsibility. Or a little more money. But they would still lead to, in his words "a mediocre life". This stopped me in my tracks. *Click to read more* Immediately, it became immediately clear that this was a guy who wants more from life. He wants to do something extraordinary and not settle for a job that pays a little more, or gives him a little more kudos. He wants to make a difference. Doing something he loves. Building something of value. A legacy, even. Not everyone feels this way. Some people are content with a job that pays the bills and allows you to work with a decent bunch of people. There's a lot to be said for being able to feel satisfied with what you have. So while 'mediocre' is a loaded word. The question I have for you is genuine. Are you content with what you have? An OK job which pays the bills. Or do you have that fire in your belly making you crave more? That knowing what you're truly capable of if you focussed your efforts on one thing? An extraordinary life. Anna is a Career Counsellor, Program Creator and ex-Geophysicist. She spent 14 years in the corporate mining world before doing a U-turn towards the work she finds most meaningful. After completing a Master of Career Development, earning her stripes in the university environment, she built her private practice. Now Anna now guides other mid-career professionals through the process of self-discovery to find a career which lights them up. She offers a free Zoom call to help professionals who are feeling stuck and confused about their career path to take the next step. She also has a free online webinar where you can learn more about her process and client stories, "How to discover, with 100% confidence, the best career for you". Or you’re welcome to email me Anna anna@strategiccc.com.au for more information.

Are you positively or negatively engaged at work?

By Anna Black • January 10, 2024
We hear a lot about employee engagement. How engaged are people in their work? EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT DEFINITION Employee engagement is the extent to which employees feel passionate about their jobs, are committed to the organization, and put discretionary effort into their work. ... Employee engagement goes beyond activities, games, and events. Employee engagement drives performance. Employee engagement is often measured through surveys. And it's a shockingly low number for many organisations! (insert ref.) But what does it really mean? And is engagement always positive? Engagement is intended to mean that an employee is involved in what they are doing, and being productive. But there's a different between being engaged and productive, and enjoying what you're doing. I recent had a conversation about this with a client. He considered himself very engaged in his work, but in a negative way. He was working hard, delivering what the company required of him, meeting his Key Performance Indicators. To management, he's an ideal team member. But he's working hard because he has the work ethic, he doesn't want to fail, and because this is what's expected of him. Not because he's genuinely motivated, enjoying the work and definitely not feeling inspired. Can you relate to this? Are you busy, productive and being successful? But feeling underwhelmed or miserable. If so, you're the type of person I work with. I can help you find a more fulfilling and inspiring career path, one that's aligned with what you enjoy and what motivates you. Anna is a Career Counsellor, Program Creator and ex-Geophysicist. She spent 14 years in the corporate mining world before doing a U-turn towards the work she finds most meaningful. After completing a Master of Career Development, earning her stripes in the university environment, she built her private practice. Now Anna now guides other mid-career professionals through the process of self-discovery to find a career which lights them up. She offers a free Zoom call to help professionals who are feeling stuck and confused about their career path to take the next step. She also has a free online webinar where you can learn more about her process and client stories, "How to discover, with 100% confidence, the best career for you". Or you’re welcome to email me Anna anna@strategiccc.com.au for more information.
Mother waving her son goodbye as he leaves the house for school with a big grin on his face

What children do to your career

By Anna Black • February 16, 2021
Before I had kids, I saw motherhood as an obstacle to overcome in my career. But a simple comment from my mum shifted my perspective and inspired me to completely change my path
A father's career change story: why you should prioritise your happiness over your kid

Why you should prioritise your career happiness over your kids'

By Anna Black • January 11, 2021
Brianna shares her first-hand experience of how her father's career change positively impacted the whole family in so many ways. His role-modelling of the importance of having a career which makes you happy is inspiring.
Large black hawk soaring above the clouds, silhouetted by the sun

Follow your passion (if only you knew how to find it)

By Anna Black • December 22, 2020
Does the advice 'just follow your passion' leave you floundering? Society has an obsession with finding and following passion, which is immensely frustrating for the majority of people who don't know what theirs is! I felt the same until I realised this simple fact about where passion comes from.

Could a Career Counsellor help you?

By Anna Black • August 24, 2020
I changed careers back in 2012. After fourteen years in the mining industry - including several feeling wholly dissatisfied - I figured out that I wanted to support professionals to discover more fulfilling careers. I resigned from my job and studied for 18 months to get my second Masters degree, this time in Career Development, and I've worked in the careers field ever since. There's a range of titles used in our field; "Career Development Practitioner,” (the formal term used really only by career professionals themselves) Career Consultant, Career Coach and several more. For several years I've called myself a Career Coach because that's what I thought people would expect. Athletes have coaches, business owners have coaches, CEOs have coaches... it seemed like the most relatable term to use. But the truth is, I'm a Career Counsellor. Full stop. So what's the difference between a Career Coach and a Career Counsellor anyway? And why the big deal? Well, if you’re ever looking for support in your career, it's important to know. You want to make sure you have the right person on your side. And while I'm here, I'll clarify the valuable roles that mentors and sponsors can play in your career too. A Career Coach helps you get what you want in your career. They help you get clear on specific goals, map out what you need to do to achieve them, and then hold you accountable for doing the work to be successful. A Mentor is different. They also help you get what you want in your career, acting as a coach but also as a teacher and connector. They bring relevant knowledge, skills, experience and networks into the mix to help you be successful. A Sponsor , you guessed it, helps you get what you want in your career. They put your name forward for opportunities and vouch for you to help you secure the role you want, often a promotion. All of these people can help you get what you want. And they're all worth their weight in gold. On one condition... that you actually know what you want! If you’re unsure about which career you want, then a Career Counsellor is the one person that can actually help you. Until you know the position you want a Career Coach can't help you market yourself, a Mentor can't teach you what you need to know and a Sponsor can't help you secure that next role. So unless you’re crystal clear on the role you're aspiring to, start with the foundation of exploring what you want. And if you're wondering how to do this strategically, ask a Career Counsellor like me! Anna is a Career Counsellor, Program Creator and ex-Geophysicist. She spent 14 years in the corporate mining world before doing a U-turn towards the work she finds most meaningful. After completing a Master of Career Development, earning her stripes in the university environment, she built her private practice. Now Anna now guides other mid-career professionals through the process of self-discovery to find a career which lights them up. She offers a free Zoom call to help professionals who are feeling stuck and confused about their career path to take the next step. She also has a free online webinar where you can learn more about her process and client stories, "How to discover, with 100% confidence, the best career for you". Or you’re welcome to email me Anna _ anna@strategiccc.com.au _ for more information.
Show More

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I know if I need to change careers? What are the signs?

    There are many clues that suggest you are in the wrong career. Most of them relate to how your work makes you feel. For example,

    • Do you dread getting up on a Monday morning?
    • Do you get to the end of the day and feel exhausted?
    • Is your career affecting your physical health, mental health or relationships?
    • Do you find your work boring? or pointless?

    All of these can be signs. But it can be tricky to pinpoint the underlying causes of your dissatisfaction on your own. You may also dismiss these feelings as temporary by thinking "it will get better when...". Or worse, you may blame yourself for not being better at handling your job.


    The truth is, it's not your fault you're unhappy. My clients find that when they dig deeper, it's the job itself or the work environment that is not aligned with what they need. Sometimes both.


    To feel fulfilled in your career, you need a combination of tasks you enjoy, a field you are interested in and an environment that supports you to work at your best. It also needs to be aligned with what motivates you - whether than's meaning, recognition, financial reward or something else.


    If you'd like to find out how well your work suits you, and whether you should make a career change, take my free Career Match Quiz.



  • What are the different ways to figure out a career change?

    There are multiple ways of finding a career that makes you jump out of bed in the morning.


    The most effective way is through a structured process with expert guidance from a Career. This will save you time, ensure you explore all the options and help you to build a career plan perfectly tailored to your preferences and needs.


    There are other ways to approach some aspects of career exploration which have pros and cons. They include,


    Trial and Error

    If you are still in your 20s, then trying new things is valuable and fun. I believe no experience is wasted, and the more exposure you can get to different roles, industries, and learning opportunities, the more you will learn about yourself and what works for you. You have nothing to lose at this age - so enjoy!


    Books

    There are numerous books on career choice, change and life design available. They are great if you're just curious but following a process from a book is time-intensive and you're working on your own in an echo chamber. This approach didn't work for me because I didn't have the confidence in what I was coming up with. I ended up doubting myself so much I gave up.


    Career Coaching

    Career Coaches can be a fantastic investment when you are 100% clear on your target role. They will help you find opportunities, and market yourself to secure your dream job. But if you can't articulate exactly what you are looking for you will struggle to find appealing opportunities, and when you apply you are less likely to be successful in your search. This can quickly undermine your confidence. So do yourself a favour - get crystal clear on your ideal role before using a Career Coach to help with your job-search.


    Career Advice

    Be wary of anyone who tells you what job they think you should do, professional or not. No-one knows what's best for you except yourself. If you do encounter friends, family, and career advisers (who may also be salespeople in disguise) who give you advice, ask them "what makes you suggest that career?". Then thank them and make your own decision!


    Career Assessments/Quizzes

    I'm a compulsive quiz-taker! But there is no assessment or quiz out there that is clever enough to find the best career for you on its own.

    Most assessments and quizzes measure just one factor (for example, skills, interests, personality) but to find a fulfilling career you need to assess and align many factors.

    If you love a good quiz, go for it. Take them all (like me). Use them to give you clues as to what you enjoy but then make sure you put all this information together to build up a clear picture of what a great career looks like for you before making any big decisions.

    If you're interested to learn more about how to do this, take a look at my free webinar "How to Discover, with 100% confidence, the Best Career for You"

  • How do I know if I need a Career Counsellor?

    Do you want to change careers but don't know what your new direction should be?


    If your answer is Yes, then a Career Counsellor can help.


    A Career Counsellor will help you get unstuck by working with you to build up a picture of what you want in your career, finding career options that match and supporting you to make a decision and plan your future.


    Once you are clear on the career path you want to take, making the change is simple.

  • What are the benefits of Career Counselling?

    Working with a Career Counsellor will give you a clear direction in your career but, as many of my clients have reported, it can have many other benefits. These include,


    Boost Your Confidence

    Through Career Counselling you'll identify your strengths and be able to see and articulate the value you have to offer. It also builds your confidence and numerous clients have told me they've become more assertive in asking their employers for what they want and need. 


    Give you a more Optimistic Outlook

    When you can see that you have options and opportunities ahead of you, it can shift your whole perspective. Many of my clients have reported that they feel more optimistic, energised and excited about life in general after working with me.


    Increase your Productivity and Performance

    Having a clear career plan gives you a feeling of control and purpose. When you see how your work is helping you get where you want to go in life, you'll feel more motivated which will improve your productivity and performance.


    Increase in Energy

    Feeling stuck and spending countless hours trying to figure out what to do in your career is mentally and emotionally draining - probably a lot more so than you realise. 


    My clients say that once they're clear on their career plan they feel like a weight has been lifted and they feel energised and inspired. And then they can focus all their energy on making progress towards the future they want.


    Become a Positive Role Model

    Have you ever felt that you're not being the role model you want to be for your kids? Every parent wants to do the best they can for their children. Above all else, we want them to be happy, so being a role model and having a career we enjoy is critical. For some people, it's also important to have a career they feel proud of - one which is meaningful and has a positive impact on the world.


    I remember one client describing his wish in such detail it gave me goosebumps. He shared this vision he had of himself sitting on his verandah with his grandchild on his knee, telling them about what he had achieved in his life.


    If this resonates with you, you'll see how important it is to take control of your career and make it count.

  • How long does it typically take to change careers?

    This is a bit like asking "How long is a piece of string?" but professional support can drastically reduce the time a career change will take.


    To explain how, you first need to understand that there are the following four stages to changing career. 


    1. Identify your preferences and priorities. What do you enjoy? What are you interested in? What do you want from your new career?


    2. Find the career that ticks the boxes and gives you what you want. What is the best career for you to change to?


    3. Plan your transition. How are you going to get from where you are now to where you want to be?


    4. Execute your plan to make the change.


    Identifying your new career path and planning your transition (Stages 1-3)

    Through my Define Your Future program, this can take anywhere between 4 weeks to 6 months depending on how much time you have available to devote to the process and how quickly the pieces of the puzzle fall into place for you. The average time taken is 8-10 weeks.


    You may be able to figure this out on your own, but it's possible you could waste years going around in circles. Personally, I spent 7 years trying to figure out my career change on my own before I found a the right Career Counsellor to help me. And one of my clients admitted that she was stuck for 17 years! 


    Making the transition (Stage 4)

    Once you know where you are heading, you can start putting your plan into action. Depending on what you choose to d and where you are starting from, this could take a matter of weeks or potentially years. It's a totally unique path.


    The good news is, I know from personal experience and that of my clients, that having a plan and knowing that you're moving in the right direction gives you a huge boost. Even before you have achieved your career change, you feel a sense of clarity, purpose and greater satisfaction.


  • How much does Career Counselling typically cost?

    You'll always find a range of Career Counselling and Coaching services and programs at different price points. 


    I offer all-inclusive programs with a guarantee (rather than single sessions) so you can be confident that you will achieve the outcome you need with no surprises.


    My program pricing varies depending on how you prefer to work with me and the level of support you want. There are three options for you to choose from. For more information on my program options and current pricing, take a look at my program page here.


    If you are researching other Career Counsellors and Coaches, please take time to understand what you are getting. Some will offer single sessions that may look like good value but won't give you the answers you are looking for. Many of my clients have tried other services before they come to me and feel like they have wasted their time and money. 


  • How would a Career Counsellor help me with my career change? What's the process?

    Career Counsellors work in a range of different ways. Some use an organic, creative approach and others are more scientific and process-driven.


    I work with clients in a thorough and systematic way (I'm a scientist at heart and a strong Myers-Briggs INFJ!).  This involves taking you through a simple, step-by-step process to explore your options, and supporting you to make the best data-driven career decisions. 


    This thorough approach is critical if you feel you only have one chance at making a change and need absolute confidence that you're making the right decision.


    Many of my clients feel this way - especially those who have families to support and those in their 40s or 50s who want to make their career count.


    To learn more about my counter-intuitive process, take a look at my free webinar "How to Discover, with 100% confidence, the Best Career for You"

  • Can a Career Counsellor help me identify new career paths that align with my skills and interests?

    Yes, absolutely. When you work with a Career Counsellor, you'll consider the skills that you most enjoy using* and the fields you are interested in to build up a picture of what will make a career satisfying for you.


    An experienced Career Counsellor will use different methods to draw this information out of you, including asking specific questions and using targeted assessments. Once identified, your Career Counsellor will guide you to explore career options that will combine these skills and interests. 


    *It's critical to think about the things you enjoy doing rather than what you are best at. If you don't, you will likely get trapped in a role where you spend most of your time using the skills you are good at, but hate. These are known as your 'burnout skills' and for good reason! A Career Counsellor will guide you to ensure that you don't fall into this trap.