For many people, changing careers can seem scary, especially if you’re several years down a path you’ve expended lots of time and effort on. However, there are plenty of good reasons why changing careers is beneficial for your personal growth, regardless of your age or experience.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the best reasons for changing careers and how you can make that transition as smooth as possible.
You need a bigger challenge
Feeling intellectually or physically stimulated while working is a major plus. Without some form of challenge, day-to-day work can get boring and stale, and therefore motivate you to want to look for something better.
Suppose you’re tired of monotonous tasks and want to do more for everyday people, for example. In that case, you might consider taking on nursing as a second career. No matter your age or experience, there are courses you can get into that will help you get along – look no further than Baylor University!
Of course, nursing is one of the most challenging career paths out there. At the same time, it’s also highly stimulating and incredibly rewarding.
You’re at a dead end
Without any kind of progression opportunities, it’s easy to feel as though you’re going nowhere. Unfortunately, many people find themselves accepting job opportunities with the best intentions only for things to grind to a halt.
This may be because there are simply no supervisory or management roles available. Or, it may be that the industry you’re in is struggling. In any case, it’s not selfish to want to rise above your boundaries, even if the pay is reasonable.
Again, consider roles in nursing, where there are specialist routes, and there’s always a chance for you to transfer between hospitals and surgeries.
You’re looking for a bigger salary
As mentioned, some jobs with little progression still offer you salary increases or financial benefits, provided you stay with the company. However, it’s healthy to look for a position that caters to both, or at least a company that supports both needs equally.
Consider your regular expenses and, therefore, your financial needs. If you already have an education, are you earning as much as you should? We’re not suggesting you should strike for a pay rise right away. However, it’s well worth considering changing careers if that salary ladder moves faster than you’re currently experiencing.
The more vital the role and the more expertise required, the higher your salary. At least, that’s the theory. Yet again, we can fall back on nursing as an example.
While many triage nurses start at relatively low wages when starting out, specialist nurses and carers climb the salary ladder depending on their education and hands-on experience.
For example, you can expect healthy salary increases working as a nurse educator or as a specialist in oncology. Combined with progression opportunities, it’s a profession that offers a lot of potential.
Your heart’s not in your current job
It’s never wise to stay in a job for too long if you’re no longer enjoying it. Not only is persisting in a role for the sake of it damaging to your mental health, but you’re also likely to let your work suffer. This might not apply to everyone, but the more you love what you do, the more effort you’ll put in. It’s simple logic.
For example, you may find that your time in telecom sales is starting to wear thin on your psyche. While sales can be extremely fast-paced and exciting and comes with many financial benefits and career opportunities, it’s not a long-term position that suits everyone.
Some people may wish to leave this style of work behind to help people up close — again, perhaps as a nurse or as a clinician on a ward or in surgery. It’s a very different type of work, but for many, that’s the whole point of switching careers.
It’s not selfish to consider moving to something new if your drive and passion for a certain industry or position are waning. It’s not only a boost for you — you would leave a space for the next salesperson who really wants to get stuck in.
Is switching careers difficult?
You may have years of experience in one industry behind you only to want to switch at a later date. But let’s not beat around the bush — switching to a second career is never easy, no matter when you do it. For this reason, planning a career switch carefully is vital.
The fact is, no one has control over what you do but you alone. If you want to try something new or pursue a completely different industry, you should go for it. However, you must be prepared for the hard work and time investment that such a move takes.