Doing the same things and being stuck in the same job position for years can be draining. Time will come you’ll realize things aren’t working anymore. You’ll start losing interest in doing the things you used to enjoy. Then you’ll find yourself considering a career shift.
Finding a fulfilling career doesn’t happen overnight, however. You need to sacrifice a few things. Some people will give up their current job to find a completely different career that suits them. Even entrepreneurs are willing to sell their business to pursue different opportunities.
The year 2021 could be the time you go out of your comfort zone and try a different career path. With careful planning, you could find a meaningful job and achieve your career goals.
Things to Consider in Changing Careers
Changing careers during these trying times can be scary. Securing a job is not certain, especially since many companies are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. A Forbes article, however, says changing a career during the pandemic would be an ideal move.
The pandemic has disrupted the workforce that changed the work environment. Lots of things are changing and you can use these to start building your future. It won’t be easy and comfortable, but it will get better later.
It’s tempting to switch to a different path and pursue your dream career. There are things you should consider before quitting your current job to ensure you’re not throwing away opportunities.
1. Your Skills
The set of skills you have can help you pursue a variety of job opportunities. Some people are afraid to try other career paths because they lack the skills required for the job. Assess the skills you have and determine whether they are transferable to any career. Having transferable skills allows you to jump from one industry to another because you can apply them anywhere.
If you have free time during quarantine, you can also take online certification courses and acquire new sets of skills. For example, learn how to edit photos on photoshop or how social media marketing works.
2. Your Interpretation of a Successful Career
People have different interpretations when it comes to career success. Some would say earning more money or having a nice office. Others believe that it’s about feeling happy and fulfilled with what you do.
Before you shift to another career path, compare your current job to the career you want to pursue. Look at how they will help you achieve your definition of success. Think hard about this before you come up with a decision. Otherwise, you might end up disappointed and lose rare opportunities.
3. Your Reason for Changing Career
“Why?” is an important question to ask yourself before you consider changing your job. What drives you to shift to another career? It can be for financial stability, interests, status, or fame. Knowing your “why” will help you get through the challenges you’ll face during your career shift. You need to have clear motivations to help you reach your goals.
If you don’t have a clear answer to your “why,” then maybe it’s not the right time to change your career. Don’t make rash decisions that may affect important aspects of your life.
Finding The Career Path to Pursue
Some people already know the career path they want to pursue. Others, however, are still figuring out what they want to do and that’s fine. It might take you several jobs before you finally find the career that fits. An average person holds 12 different jobs until they find the right one.
Focusing on the things you love to do will help you find the right job for you. For instance, if you enjoy taking pictures, hone your photography skills and build a career on it. Do you enjoy baking? Start a small bakeshop. Make a list of the things you love and see how you can establish a career on them.
Another way to help you find a new career path is by knowing what industries offer more opportunities. For instance, the hiring of nurse practitioners is projected to increase by 52 percent. Nurse practitioners coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. This position, however, would require you to have a Master’s degree, a state license, and national Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) certification.
Other in-demand jobs include statistician and mathematician, physical therapist assistants, medical and health services managers, and information security analysts, among others.
Shifting careers amid the pandemic is risky, yet rewarding once done right. Use your free time during the quarantine to improve your skills and learn new ones that can give you an advantage. Make sure to prepare yourself for new challenges and focus on your goals.
