What NOT to do when switching careers

Thinking about changing your career? You’re not alone!

Workplace dissatisfaction is one of the biggest contributors to adult health problems, so changing your career could be one of the healthiest decisions you ever make.

The YMCA Career Planning & Development services can help you discover what career best suits your natural abilities and what direction is best for you.

If you are deciding on switching career paths, be sure to stay away from these top 5 common mistakes.

• Don’t choose a career just because it has the highest employment rate. While this is a tempting trap to jump into, it’s so important that you choose a career that you would enjoy doing. Or else you’ll be back at square one! Be sure to do your research. Conduct informational interviews with professionals in the industry. Get to know what the day-to-day tasks look like and be sure it aligns with your skills, interests and values.

• Don’t choose a career just because it is the highest paying job. Choosing a career that you enjoy will be more rewarding that earning a higher salary. When you enjoy work, your productivity increases, and as a result your professional development will increase, and guess what? That often leads to higher wages! Choose your new job based on how well it suits your natural abilities. You may find it comes with a bigger paycheck after all

• Don’t go back to school unless you’re sure about your new field. Going back to school may be a necessary step for you when making a career change. However you want to be sure of this decision. After all it is a large investment of time and money! Be sure to take time to figure things out. Try volunteering or interning to get a feel for the field you are considering entering. Consider taking some personality, vocational, or aptitude assessments to clarify choices.

• Don’t have a narrow mind. Look for jobs that will work best with your skill set and also appeal to you. There might be a new job out there that you’ve never heard of. Chatting with a career counsellor could help highlight occupations that you never considered.

• Don’t expect to change careers overnight. Changing careers is a journey and it requires patience. Take time with the process. Keep your long term goal in mind. Each step you take will bring you closer to achieving your goal. So choose those steps wisely and remind yourself that you have a plan.

Find career satisfaction with Career Planning & Development Services at the YMCA. Visit us or call to get the support you need to make a difference in your life.

Is your career bringing you the satisfaction you want?

Knowing when to switch careers