The change I needed to make was to get out of that job - career change interview with Jenna Maryniak
- Sarah Lister
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Jenna’s interview on About The Adventure podcast captures a personal journey, documenting her career path from an academic beginning in literature and journalism to a fulfilling career as a counsellor.Â
After working in veterinary publishing for nine years, Jenna knew she wanted to do something that felt more meaningful with her career. She wanted to help people and not be stuck behind a desk, so she joined the police.
Later she trained as a detective and joined the child abuse unit. These intense experiences rekindled her intrinsic desire to connect and help people, ultimately leading her to pursue counselling.Â
Her career change was driven by the realisation of the importance of mental health, empathy, and the need for professional fulfillment. Alongside battling personal challenges like anxiety and burnout, she embarked on counselling training while managing a full-time job as Deputy Editor at Trail Magazine, which gave her the opportunity to reconnect with the mountains and to push herself out of her comfort zone in a restorative way.
With the support of her family and loved ones, she set up her private counselling practice, aiming to integrate nature and human connection in a peaceful space. The story highlights the significance of following one’s passion, the necessity of self-care, and the value of supportive networks in making significant career transitions.
Make sure you listen until the end of the episode to answer Jenna’s question, which might just help you take the next step in your career.
Listen to the interview by clicking the play button below, or download it here. The episode is also available on About The Adventure podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Recording information
This interview was recorded online on 9th May 2025.
Links
Contact Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests: sarah@sarahventurer.com
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