Q. For the last five years,  I have been working for a highly respected tech company (yes, those still exist) as a software engineer. After graduating from college, the total package was irresistible–great company, compelling job, high pay, and generous benefits. What else could a college grad with student loans to pay off hope for? Over the years, I’ve learned a lot, been promoted, and contributed to some important projects, but here’s the thing: I don’t like working for this company anymore. The male-dominated culture is aggressive, not collaborative; everyone works insane hours with no personal life, and the work we’re doing is not meaningful to me. I have explored other roles here, but it’s a culture I no longer want to be part of. I just want to slow down, spend more time outdoors, and enjoy my life outside of work.

And last week, I left the company, and now my parents are freaking out because I no longer have a job, and it’s a challenging job market right now. I am confident I will find something else, but in the meantime, I need a mental health break, and my parents just don’t get it. How can I get them to chill out? –Leandra, 27

A. Leandra, congratulations on working for a respected company for five years and earning a great salary. Hopefully, over that time, you were able to sock away some savings and/or investments so you are economically equipped to navigate a pause or reduction in your income. Of course, having your next job before leaving a good stable one is always my advice. But you made your choice, so let’s focus on how to make the best of it.

First things first. Unless your parents are providing you a place to stay or paying some of your bills, ignore them. Seriously. (Or give them the good ol’ Gen Z stare and they’ll back off.)

You’re an adult, and you are capable of making your own choices and being responsible for the consequences of those choices. If they are supporting you right now, you can let them know you have a game plan and you’ll keep them updated every two weeks. Enough on that (they’ll relax eventually), let’s talk about how to find the next opportunity you’re excited about.

After five years at the same company, it’s a good time to reflect on what you want to do, the kind of people you want to work with, the environment that you find stimulating, and the types of organizations you admire and respect. It’s possible you continue on your path as a software engineer in a better environment, or you explore how to pivot your experience to something new. Without knowing your preferences here, I will provide some thoughts to spur your thinking.

Specifically, I want to help you navigate what’s next by leveraging your technical experience (not abandoning it). The good news is, you have many options. You could:

1. Join a smaller, mission-driven company. Think mid-size startups or “boring but great” companies with a reputation for a strong culture. These types of organizations provide more autonomy, less bureaucracy, hybrid or remote options, and a stronger sense of impact and team culture. They will value your big-tech experience; however, the trade-off is likely lower pay and less prestige.
   
2. Switch industries. If you enjoy being in a software engineering role, you may thrive in another industry that would value your big tech experience. Look at industries that have big problems to solve, such as Healthcare and Education. Or, given your interest in the outdoors, potential organizations focused on climate and sustainability. These organizations will likely have a less “always on” culture and a calmer pace than the tech industry. The pay might be as robust as your former employer, but the tradeoff might be worth it for the work/life balance you’re seeking. 
   
3. Shift roles. Build on your software engineering experience while combining more people management and strategy. These roles could have titles such as Product Manager, Technical Program Manager, UX Manager, or Product Design. You may enjoy shifting roles because it’s less heads-down work and can provide greater influence over an organization’s product direction. The tradeoff is that these roles typically require a lot of meetings and stakeholder alignment, which can translate into more stress.
   
4. Try consulting or freelancing. Lots of companies need the skill set of a software engineer, but might not need a full-time position. These organizations look for individuals with strong resumes to lead or contribute to project work. Your background could be well-suited to it, and you could charge an hourly rate above your previous full-time rate. It’s also a great way to get exposure to different types of organizations, cultures, and industries. The tradeoff is that it can be hard to find these types of clients, and your overall income will be less predictable.
   
5. Take a short sabbatical and recharge. If you’re burned out or unmotivated, it’s a good time to take a break. Take a couple of months to do things you didn’t have time to do when overworking at the tech company: read books, hike new trails, take short trips with old friends, take a class on something entirely random but interesting to you (ceramics, photography, improv?). An extended break prevents you from leaping to a new role without thinking about what you really want or taking a big pay cut without clarity on why. Then, once you’re feeling rested, restart. Here’s a newsletter I wrote to help you land a new job–faster.

Remember, careers are no longer linear. They take many shapes and span 50 years. At this stage, you’re only 10% in. Where do you want to go next? It’s up to you!

You’re equipt to explore what’s next.