(Requesting earnest replies on this one)
If you've ever had the chance to really examine what you want to do next with your life (in my current case, career, but personal would probably also work) how did you approach that opportunity? How do you figure out what you actually want to do?
@roseveleth when I was leaving my (astro)phys 10yr career, I asked myself: what is making me unhappy about staying in this field? What makes me happy about this field? What would allow me to build on my expertise? I realized that it was the (created) disconnect to society, so I asked: what career would help me address what I think is a big issue AND would allow me to do the things about doing research that I like? That’s (mostly) how I choose science education research as the next step
@sciedhenry @roseveleth my approach has been very similar. I will add a couple of additional pieces. In one case I accomplished the goal I set out in a particular career pursuit (to turn an unprofitable business around into a profitable one) and was ready to move on. In another case I had an opportunity presented that I thought I could not pass up (school administrator).
As I got older and a little wiser I also listened to people who knew me well, and helped me see more broadly in ways that I was blinded to, and around my blindspots. This has probably been most helpful and has kept me out of pursuing a tenure track position while keeping me in teacher Ed where my heart is.
