Signs That It May Be Time to Switch Careers

Finding yourself dissatisfied with your work is not abnormal. Millions complain about their day jobs and constantly wish they had chosen a different career. However, it often happens that after obtaining some form of higher education, people go into the first career that makes itself available to them.

Unfortunately, this leads to many not ever working in a career that strikes a deep interest in them. In fact, the Pew Research Center found that about 30 percent of Americans simply view their job as something they do to get by. That means that millions of workers drive to work every day and spend eight or nine hours doing menial tasks just to survive. That’s certainly no way to live and below are some of the biggest signs that you may be in that group. If you see any of these signs within yourself, consider a career switch to a more vibrant and interesting career to you personally.

Disappointing Salary

The fact of the matter is that we all can’t be millionaires. With that said, people who view their job and passion as one and the same often don’t demand a millionaire’s salary. When you do work that genuinely interests you, thinking about your salary every second of the day is something that just doesn’t occur. 

Finding yourself constantly disappointed in your salary, even if you are the top of your field, could be an indicator that maybe the career you are in is not enough for you. Even if it isn’t about identifying your passion, and more money is really what you desire, there are tech careers you could consider pursuing to meet that goal.

For example, data science is a career path that doesn’t require intensive tech skills. Focusing on analyzing business data to meet objectives, data scientists make upwards of $100,000 according to Glassdoor. Consider attending some of the best data science bootcamps in conjunction with your current work to keep income flowing while you gain the skills to switch careers.

A Consistent, Yet Mundane Routine

There’s nothing wrong with a routine. However, if you find yourself zoning out every second of your time at work and only looking forward to getting home and turning on the television, maybe your career isn’t the best for you. In other words, you may begin to feel that your life is predictable and that every day is the same.

Should you fall into this category, it may suit you to attempt to find a new and dynamic career that piques your interest. Using free career quizzes is a great way to identify careers you may have never considered before. 

Having a day-to-day schedule that never changes and doesn’t provide any variability is a quick way to become burnt out and should be avoided at any cost. Don’t settle for a career that drains you of your energy before you’re even halfway to retirement. On that note, you are never too old to consider a career change, and doing so can bring you fulfillment in the later years of your job life.

You Complain to Others About Work

Everybody complains about work. That’s a given. But, are you that friend in the group who is always complaining about their day? There’s always someone who does that and being that person should set off red flags in your mind about the career choice you made.

It’s worth thinking about the things you are complaining about. Are they fixable or are they strong enough to warrant a change? If the latter is true, then consider writing a resignation letter and thinking about a new career to enter. Don’t worry if you do not currently have the skills needed to enter your dream career. The prevalence of technology has allowed education to become more available to all. A number of online trade schools can help you enter a specific career by offering specialized career courses.

You shouldn’t have to go home every day and feel the need to complain about what you do. There is arguably no great way to become disheartened with your work and this can contribute to leading a less happy lifestyle. Focus on yourself and what you want to find a career that suits your interest.  

Conclusion

It is unreasonable to assume that every day of work will have you bouncing with excitement in your seat. That being said, pursuing your passion means, as the saying goes, that you won’t ever work a day in your life. Your job takes up a large portion of your life and should be something you can proudly talk with friends about, rather than complain. Don’t be afraid to make the jump to another career if you are not being satisfied with your own. You deserve to be happy and fulfilled in your work.