Ever feel like there has to be more?
That there’s a career out there that
would better suit your skills, passions, talents, and lifestyle than the one
you’re spending your days at now?
Maybe you have—but if you’re like many,
you also may be feeling held back and wondering if a career
change is even an option. After all, abandoning a professional life
you’ve worked hard to build for something totally unknown can be really, really
scary.
But, I’m here to tell you that it
can be done—in fact, the average person will change careers at least once in
his or her lifetime. So, if you’re not totally satisfied on your current
path, you shouldn’t feel guilty about exploring other options. In fact, here
are five scenarios in which it actually makes sense to consider trading in
your current profession for something new.
1. You Fell into Your Current Career
For some of us, our career “choice”
wasn’t really a choice at all. Perhaps a family member helped
you get a job because you just needed to pay the bills. Or
maybe you landed your job because of a particular skill you have, but you can't
see yourself doing it for the next 20 years.
If your career is the result of a
series of random twists and turns rather than something you consciously
pursued, it’s worth thinking about whether it’s really suited to you—or if
there might be something better out there. Consider taking a career test to
assess your personality and interests and identify careers you'd
enjoy. Also, figure out what transferrable skills you already have
and determine those you need to acquire. What excites you and brings you joy?
Can you see yourself turning it into a meaningful career?
2. A Life Change Has Sparked a New
Interest
Major life-changing events can
change our perspective and cause us to re-evaluate our choices. But you don’t
have to wait for the birth of a child or a marriage proposal to shake things
up—lots of everyday experiences can lead to life-altering shifts in our
priorities, too. For example, the puppy your roommate adopted might inspire you
to work at an animal shelter. You might make a friend in a different department
in your company and realize you want to learn more about what she does. A
vacation overseas could get you thinking about a career that lets you live abroad.
Pay attention to the encounters or
changes in your life that trigger an interest in pursuing something new. They
might just be signs that you should try out a new path.
3. The Job Outlook in Your Field Has
Worsened
It happens a lot these days:
Prospects in your field once seemed plentiful, but changes in technology or the
economy have limited your opportunities. If this is the case, it’s not only an
option to find an occupation with a better forecast—it’s probably a good idea.
Consider a profession that fits your
personality and skills, but also research the labor market to see if you’ll be
able to build a new career in your chosen field over time. (For example, the
number of Americans over the age of 65 is projected to nearly double by 2030—so nurses, physician’s
assistants, and other healthcare professionals and administrators will be
seriously in demand for the foreseeable future.)
Find out which industries employ
people in the jobs that interest you, what training you need to become
qualified, and whether there will be opportunities in this field after you’ve
completed that training.
4. You've developed an Interest in
an Evolving Field
On the flip side, environmental
concerns and changes in technology have created jobs and professions in
industries that didn't exist a few years ago—think
environmental consulting, alternative power, social media management, and
app development.
Do you see yourself as a pioneer in
one of these new and evolving industries? If so, don’t be afraid to make a
change. While many of these fields require new skills, you can often combine
your existing experience with some updated training to succeed in new
fields. For example, if you’re skilled in project management, getting some
technical know-how would make you a great candidate for product management roles at
tech start ups.
5. Your Current Career Isn't Aligned
With Your Core Values
Core values are the important
beliefs and conventions that guide the way you live your life. Values such as
altruism, intellectual stimulation, leadership, and creativity affect how you
make decisions and how you interact with others, both at work and at home.
They’re also a significant factor in job and career satisfaction—it can be
difficult to be happy at work when you’re not living out the principles that
are important to your life.
Take some time to understand what
your own values are and whether your current career path is letting you live
them. For example, is your sales job giving you the creative fulfillment you
imagined for your life? Will your client services gig offer the leadership
potential you crave? In the long run, a career path that’s closely aligned with
your values is the key to professional fulfillment, so if you’re not sure about
the path you’re heading down, it’s worth considering a change.
Shifting gears in your
career—especially if you've been working in the same field for a long time—isn't easy, and it’s never immediate. But do know that, these days, career paths are
rarely linear. And no matter what your reason for looking, the right career is
out there for you. Research your options, evaluate your strengths, learn new
skills, and fortify your resolve to make change, and you’ll find the path
that’s right for you.
Michael Peggs
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