Some people know exactly what they want out of their careers. Some people inadvertently come across jobs that suit them well and that they end up loving. And some people pursue careers they think will make them happy and successful…but job satisfaction always evades them. 

For many years, career coach Meredith Masse fell into the latter category. She had a well-paying job, a great boss, and good benefits, but that didn’t stop her from feeling a deep sense of dread every Sunday evening when she thought about the coming work week. 

In a recent episode of The FABRIC, Michael Ashford, Director of Marketing at The Receptionist, spoke with Meredith about her past career trauma, the definition of meaningful work, and career fulfillment. 

What is Career Trauma?

There’s a saying that goes, “Business isn’t personal.” But when you get laid off, terminated, or asked to resign, it sure feels personal. Interoffice conflict, toxic culture, and difficult managers are also difficult to handle and can leave us feeling trapped. 

Even though it’s not supposed to be personal, a threat to our livelihoods often causes trauma. The stress of trying to find a new source of income coupled with the feeling of rejection can leave you demoralized and, sometimes, depressed. 

Frustration with unfair situations such as workplace bullying, fear of layoffs, or helicopter-esque micromanagers can make us dislike getting up and going to work every day. And since work makes up the majority of our waking hours, that’s a massive burden to shoulder. It leaves an emotional mark and can thus be classified as a type of trauma. 

Most of us have experienced career trauma or job trauma at least once over the course of our working lives. And even though it isn’t supposed to be personal, it is. This is why it’s so important to find a fulfilling role — so we can put our hearts into our work. 

What, Where, Why, Who

In a TEDx Talk, Meredith recounted how she worked her way up in her career to the point that she held a high-powered role in Washington, D.C. Her commute was long and often frustrating. She believed her job should make her happy, and it should have made her excited to get up in the morning. Instead, she explained that she almost always had a knot in her stomach on Sunday evening thinking about the workweek ahead.

On a hot summer day, Meredith missed the bus, which was only the first leg of her 1.5-hour journey to work. Feeling defeated and frustrated, she called in sick and got back into bed. 

That day started her on a journey to a different pursuit: one of career fulfillment. She realized that the jobs she had held in the past — the what, the why, or the where — didn’t align with who she was. 

Fulfillment looks different for each of us, and your what, why, and where should all support who you are. 

The Golden Handcuffs

Many working people fall into careers they are not suited for, or vice versa. In spite of this inner turmoil, they end up excelling in their roles, often working their way up to positions of authority, higher salaries, and longer tenure. In fact, they become so good at their jobs that it’s hard to find a compelling reason to leave. Some refer to this challenge as “The Golden Handcuffs.”  

Meredith was chasing jobs she knew she was capable of doing, and got very skilled at convincing recruiters and hiring managers that she could fulfill the responsibilities of each role better than the other candidates. However, it still wasn’t enough. She felt beholden to a career path that didn’t make her happy but did create a good life for her. 

“I’m sure I can’t do anything else. I’m sure if I change my mind and I start down a different career path, I’m sure I’ll make less money and I’m sure the benefits won’t be as good,” she remembers thinking. “I continually told myself this story on a loop, of things that couldn’t possibly be.” 

“And holy limiting beliefs, Batman!” Meredith adds. She had no data to back up her thoughts, only her own fears about the future. And so, she stayed in a role that didn’t fulfill her for eight years, never feeling like she truly belonged. 

Carving out a Meaningful Career Path

Back to the what, where, why, and who: 

• What: the type of work you are doing
• Where: the organization you work for
• Why: what you hope to gain from your work
• Who: whether or not these factors align with what really matters to you. 

Everyone has their own definition of meaningful work. It’s all about the kind of impact you hope to make in your career, on those around you, or in the world as a whole. 

“Not everybody has to cure cancer,” Meredith says. “Yes, that’s meaningful work. Empirically we can all agree to that. But that’s not everyone’s job.”

So what does meaningful work look like? “It’s when you wake up in the morning and you think, ‘I get to go do this today,’” Meredith believes. 

When you’re searching for the perfect role, consider how well the job suits you rather than the other way around. “So many times job seekers think, could I do this, can I be a fit? Well what about the other way around, gosh darnit?”

So the next time you find yourself perusing job postings, wondering if they would hire you, if you would be good at the job, or if you would fit in with their culture, ask yourself some questions. 

• What: Do the functions of this role align with my goals?
• Where: Will this organization support my journey to fulfillment? 
• Why: Do the company’s values or mission resonate with me?
• Who: Does this work align with the impact I want to make?

You don’t have to use your degree, work for free, or set aside your values to find meaning in your work. You don’t have to change the world to make an impact. You get to decide what that looks like for you. And when you do, you’ll be on the path to career fulfillment.