A career shift seems to be the solution when you’re in a rut and dread going to work every day. Whether you move to a new job or even start your own business. Though is it? If you honestly respond to these ten important questions, you’ll be better able to consider your options, assess your situation, and keep a steady gaze on the potential. If, after responding to all of these inquiries, you decide to change careers, you will know you are making a wise decision and not just acting on impulse.
Consider whether your desire to change careers truly is that. Be very precise about the aspects of your current job that you enjoy and dislike; examples include your role, your manager, the office environment, and your terms and conditions. Consider the specifics of what might make your workday more joyful. Don’t hurry the process and make sure to consider all of your possibilities. You might discover that there are less extreme changes you can make or you may find out that doing something proactive such as exploring some interesting apprenticeship courses or looking at a complete career change could be the right direction for you. Firstly have a think about:
- Obtaining a new position in the same industry (i.e. at another University or College if you are an academic)
- Change your industry (for instance, transition from academia to the corporate sector, industrial research, or the nonprofit sector).
- Adapt your current position (changing responsibility or hours)
What qualifications and competencies do you have? Consider your general skills and competencies in addition to those related to the particular subject or position, such as, Organisational abilities, teaching/lecturing, in-depth research, fundraising expertise and capability, people skills, and the capacity to launch initiatives. You can always learn more on the side to further or change up your career.
Be sensible despite your thoughts that you need a full change and to go away from everything. Consider additional positions or roles where you may apply your acquired knowledge, abilities, and skills. Ask the people you work with if there are any opportunities related to your work. Vendors, coworkers on a project, or members of a professional group, if you are a member, may have suggestions for you to consider. Employment as a gamekeeper turned poacher, consultants, and side jobs might be appropriate.
Even if you don’t think you have particularly strong moral principles, you could be surprised to learn how uncomfortable it can be to have your daily actions and your beliefs diverge. An academic can find the bottom line, profit-making mentality and the way it influences every aspect of the work undesirable if they transition into a fast-paced business environment. On the other hand, someone transitioning from the business world to academic life may struggle with the kinder, less directive nature of institutional life.
Are you willing to lower your income? Look closely at your current financial situation and make a list of everything: income, extra spending, and outgoings. Find areas where you can minimise costs and determine with pinpoint accuracy how much money you must earn annually. then use the same procedure for any business, new job, or position. You must consider the effects on yourself and, if applicable, your dependents if you have already decided to make a total adjustment.
