How our past affects career choices

As mentioned in the pervious blog, impactful events in our lives, especially in childhood, can have a profound impact on us, to include our career choice and profession, influencing the autonomic nervous system (ANS) response and affecting the ability to pursue goals and reach your full potential. The effects of trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including difficulty in making decisions, low self-esteem, and struggles with interpersonal relationships. These challenges can make it difficult for people to choose a career path that aligns with their interests, skills, and values, resulting in a less fulfilling and successful professional life.

One of the primary ways in which trauma can impact a person's career choice is through the development of negative beliefs and self-doubt. Trauma can trigger the body's stress response, leading to heightened levels of cortisol and adrenaline that can impact decision-making and cognitive functioning. This can shake a persons sense of self-worth and confidence, leading them to question their abilities and worthiness to pursue certain career paths. This can result in settling for a job that does not fully utilise their skills or fulfill their passions, simply because the person does not believe they are capable of achieving more.

Additionally, trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, affecting a persons ability to make decisions and set goals for their career. The experience of trauma can leave a person feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and indecisive, as the body's fight-or-flight response is activated in stressful situations. This can make it difficult for her to envision a clear path forward in their professional life, leading to a lack of direction and purpose. This can cause them to drift from one job to another without a clear sense of what they truly want to achieve.

Furthermore, trauma can impact a persons relationships with colleagues and supervisors, making it challenging for them to navigate the social dynamics of the workplace. People who have experienced trauma may struggle with trust issues, fear of rejection, and difficulty in setting boundaries, as the ANS response to trauma can heighten emotional reactivity and sensitivity to perceived threats. This can hinder their ability to build strong professional relationships and advance in their careers, leading to missed opportunities for mentorship, networking, and career advancement.

The damaging effects of trauma on a persons career choice are not limited to the individual themselves, but can also have broader societal implications. When people are unable to pursue their career goals and reach their full potential due to the impact of trauma on the nervous system response, it not only limits their personal success and fulfilment, but also deprives society of their unique talents.