Ever since we were young, our minds have been conditioned to dream of a career when we grow up. Some of us wanted to become astronauts. Some wanted to become doctors. Some wanted to become educators. One way or another, these dreams have set the starting point for us once we stepped on to school.
Some people do fulfill their childhood career dreams. They were able to keep their passion burning after all those years of hard work. This is great for people who feel belongingness in their field of work, with no room for hesitation and doubts in their minds. However, some people have unintentionally buried their initial dreams in exchange for more practical ones. This creates circumstances wherein people eventually decide that their career is not their cup of tea anymore.
Whether this happens in their 20s or 30s, having a career change becomes inevitable as the decision is prolonged further. There are plenty of reasons why people feel unsatisfied with their careers, even if they still loved the first half of their experience with it. The most common reasons are:
- Stress. When a person feels that a job is too much to handle, they either look for another agency or completely abandon their present career. About one in every three workers consider leaving their jobs due to the stress that the workload comes with. Not only do they face this stress when they are in the workplace, but they also bring this negative attitude back into their homes. As society becomes more aware and accepting of mental health, stress is enough to clean their desks up and leave their job.
- Dead-end job. Some people feel that their career is going nowhere because they ended up in a job with no chance of developing. There are plenty of signs around when a person feels that they are stuck in a dead-end job. This includes monotonous routines and people at work underestimating your skills. You might also feel that your opinions are not valued. There are also no attempts to make your workplace better and more welcoming.
- Lost passion. People cannot force themselves to like a job that they have lost interest in. This happens when they are forced to take up a degree in higher education that focuses more on practicality rather than something that they love. One way or another, these people still find their way back into their roots when they realize that their present career isn’t just for them. When their passion is misplaced, they become unhappy. And when they become unhappy, they seek change.
Regardless of what most people might think or say, changing careers is never too late for you. Jobs are generally perceived as a way to stabilize income to pay your bills, but you would eventually come to realize that it is so much more than that. When you are on the right track, it is so much more fulfilling than forcing yourself to like a career you do not even enjoy in the first place. Finding the perfect career for yourself is one of the things that lead you to a happier life.
Identifying your true focus
When thinking about changing careers, you still need to be wary of the factors that come along with it. You must first be able to identify what you want to pursue. If you have always wanted to become an entrepreneur, then go for it. If you want to pursue a career that speaks of your passion for caring for others, try taking up a pre-medical course in a nursing school. If you have always loved writing, then try out for journalism or blog writing. Find what hobby or interest ignites your fire the most, and draw your starting point from there.
Other than that, you must also be aware of your different strengths and weaknesses. Ensure that your strengths are handy enough to be at your side when taking up a new career. Research has shown that people who utilize their strengths at work increase their performance by 13%. They are also six times more invested in their job and three times happier in their lives. When people value their strengths and use them for the betterment, it creates an atmosphere that promotes productivity and progress. This will also elevate your workplace status, as your efficiency becomes a lot more natural to you.
Being eligible for your new chosen career
Some myths go around whenever someone decides to pursue a new career. Some people believe that changing careers means you will go back to entry-level positions. Your chosen career might be far from your present one, so most would believe that the lack of experience in that specific field will keep you from being qualified.
However, it is still not impossible to switch up your job. If you have no problem going back to school for a few years, then who’s to say that you shouldn’t? There are also plenty of alternative options, such as taking up an online course or coordinating with a reliable career coach. That way, it will be much easier for you to take the career-change process and without breaking a sweat.
It’s never too late to switch your lanes
The beauty of changing careers is that you will finally feel like you belong to the field you have chosen. Having to work a nine-to-five job could be less dragging when you are happier staying in it. If you are willing to sacrifice a little of your time and a portion of your years, then say yes to changing your career! It is never too late in any way, but it will be much more rewarding if you decide on this major change as early as possible.
