Many people, after experiencing competition and burnout in their careers, may become interested in psychotherapy and think about switching fields. I’d like to share my journey and the gains and losses I’ve experienced along the way.
Let me first introduce my background and why I had the idea of transitioning into psychotherapy. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Tsinghua University in 2000 and later earned a Master’s in Financial Engineering from the U.S. From 2008 to 2020, I worked as an engineer at Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, and LinkedIn, eventually becoming an Engineering Manager. In 2021, I decided to switch careers to clinical psychology, earned a master’s degree, and now practice independently.
Why Did I Want to Change Careers?
The turning point came after being an individual contributor (IC) for over a decade. Before becoming a manager, I thought I had strong leadership and communication skills, and I enjoyed interacting with people. Many of my colleagues, employees, and subordinates would come to me to talk about work, personal matters, or frustrations. However, once I officially stepped into a management role, I realized that my sensitivity to emotions and my strong attachment to relationships, which I considered strengths, made management extremely uncomfortable for me. The company was driven by profits and performance, and I often had to make decisions that harmed colleagues or subordinates. This inner struggle lasted a long time, and I frequently asked myself, “Is this what I really want to do?” Eventually, I concluded that I was not suited to management in a large corporation.
Moreover, I had always been interested in psychology, and given my strengths and characteristics, I felt I should pursue work that I both enjoyed and was good at. After years of hesitation and struggle, I finally resigned in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
The Gains and Losses of Career Transition
The differences between my career before and after the switch are clear. The income as a psychotherapist cannot compare to that of an engineer at a big tech company; this is something everyone knows. Additionally, large companies offer numerous benefits, insurance, training opportunities, and the chance to work with some of the brightest minds in the world, which can be quite fulfilling and satisfy a sense of vanity. However, despite giving up so much, I chose my current career, which means I’ve gained a lot in return.
The most important gain has been personal growth, especially in maturity and emotional regulation. There’s also a strong sense of achievement in being able to help and influence others. Moreover, my work-life balance has significantly improved—I no longer need to work overtime frequently, and I have more flexibility in my schedule, allowing me to pick up and drop off my children. My current colleagues are experts in the field of psychotherapy, and I enjoy interacting with them. Gone are the days of crying after one-on-one meetings with my boss. For someone like me, who is now financially independent, these things are incredibly important in middle age.
Working with First- and Second-Generation Immigrants
Many of my clients are Chinese, and some are other Asians, such as Vietnamese or Indian. The issues faced by many first-generation immigrants are closely related to their upbringing. In Silicon Valley, many of my clients were “good students” growing up—obedient, excellent in school, and hardworking in their careers. However, over time, many found themselves in a constant state of mental and physical tension, unable to relax. At some point, they realize they can no longer continue living this way and begin to reflect on their next step or the second half of their lives. Having gone through a similar experience myself, I deeply understand and can help this type of client.
Second-generation immigrants are unique in that they inherit the values of their first-generation immigrant parents while being influenced by American culture. As a result, they often experience confusion about their identity, especially after graduating from college and entering the workforce. Questions about how to define themselves come to the forefront. In such cases, psychotherapy can help them accept themselves, allowing them to find balance between the two conflicting cultural identities and harmonize both aspects of their identity.
Insights for Highly Sensitive Individuals in the Workplace
As a highly sensitive person (HSP) myself, I am particularly attuned to the challenges that this group faces in the workplace. Therefore, I now focus on workshops addressing workplace stress and challenges for highly sensitive individuals. By combining my own experiences with neuroscience, clinical psychology, and real-life case studies, I aim to help others desensitize scientifically, develop thicker skin, set clear boundaries, and find a balance between their internal world and their work.
From Silicon Valley engineer to psychotherapist, this path has cost me some seemingly important things, but I’ve gained inner fulfillment and personal growth. Whether it’s in helping others or in self-reflection, I’ve experienced an indescribable sense of healing. I hope my experience can inspire those who are searching for their path in life, and I hope more people can find careers they truly love.