Is a career change right for you?
Contrary to popular belief, jumping into a career change any time you feel like it is not a good idea. A career change at the wrong time can lead to financial hardships as well as lead to further dissatisfaction. A career change should only be considered when the time is right
When is the right time to change careers?
A career change is a viable option only when:
- You think you will be able to enjoy what you do. Your chosen career may not make you rich, but it should always be able to give you a sense of satisfaction and make you happy at what you are doing.
- You know what you are getting into. You should not jump directly into a field you have little or no experience in. Try to gain some experience in the field, for instance through part-time jobs or internships, in order to gain a feel for it.
- You are willing and able to give the required effort. A career change is not possible without commitment and dedication and may even require that you take up courses or full-fledged degree programs to acquire the necessary skills.
- Your family is able to support you both financially and emotionally. Your spouse, parents or children will need to provide the necessary financial backing if you need to take a pay cut, or while you struggle as you launch your own business. A working spouse will be able to sustain the family during the hard time when your career is still taking off. Emotional support is also crucial during this period to encourage you to keep going when things are bad.
When is it a wrong time?
There are a variety of reasons why a career change is not a right option.
- You are unwilling to make sacrifices. During the struggling period, you will face several financial setbacks, which means that you might need to cut down your expenses for a while. If you are not willing to do that, the costs of a career change in terms of mental dissatisfaction far outweigh any benefits it may yield.
- You are not sure where you want to go. If you quit a job in which you are well established before you “find your niche”, you will not be able to get far. Not only will you suffer financially and emotionally, you will also not get where you wanted to be. It is crucial to examine your career goals before you launch into a career where you only believe that you will be happy.
- Your chosen field is either unstable or not entirely stable. The economy never remains static: Industries are created while others are destroyed. Before you start training for your chosen field, research your chosen field thoroughly, so that you can be sure of landing a job when you finish the training period. For instance, in a digital economy where liquidation of newspapers is a common occurrence, journalism may not be a good idea.
