With the number of tech-based jobs on the rise, it can be easy to wonder if the career you’re in now is really right for you. Traditional jobs are facing a decline in favor of those tech jobs and making a switch now may be the most opportune time. With that said, you should only consider switching careers if you notice some common signs that indicate you may be in the wrong career.
Before even considering switching careers, try to figure out if it is just the specific job you have now that bothers you. Maybe you have a horrible boss who makes your life miserable. While this isn’t ideal and is a reason to look for a new job, it is no reason to switch careers. With that out of the way, here are some of the biggest signals that you may be in the wrong career.
There Is No Variability in Your Days
Monotonous tasks can drain your energy like nothing else, and having no variability in your work can lead you to burnout. When looking at why you may be feeling unhappy or stressed while at work, try to figure out if it has to do with the actual day-to-day tasks you’re faced with.
When your work is so repetitive that you can do it with your eyes closed, no one would blame you for wanting to switch up your career. Consider pursuing a new and more exciting job opportunity based in tech.
For example, careers in computer science often revolve around problem-solving via technology. No two tasks are the same and the number of jobs available is numerous. Avoiding boredom at work revolves around unpredictable assignments and challenging, yet doable tasks.
You Can’t Grow in Your Career
Career growth should be a major factor when deciding what you want to do. Specifically speaking, a career choice should allow you to have room to advance your job, earn more, and perform more meaningful work. Staying in a dead-end career, however, is sure to weigh on you mentally.
Finding yourself in this situation can be disheartening, but remember that it’s never too late to switch career paths. The first thing you do should be to identify your strengths and which careers they are most applicable to. From there, try to focus on career options that have high growth potential and are not dying fields.
It’s worth noting that during this reflection of your career, you should make sure that a lack of growth isn’t due to the work your turning in not being satisfactory. However, if you have received praise from your employer and you use all your skills successfully each day, the problem itself may be that you are underappreciated.
You Find Yourself Always Complaining about Work
Everybody complains about their job at some point or another. There is a crucial difference between complaining about your job versus your career as a whole. Try to focus on what specific aspects you tell your friends and family bother you.
If those aspects are about your specific job, then you might want to consider a new job. However, if the things you complain about are general elements of the career you are in, such as the field itself, then you should consider switching careers.
Trade schools can offer alternative career paths and skills that might be a better fit for your interests. This form of education gives students specific classes meant to prepare them for specific fields, meaning you know exactly what you’re getting into which reduces the risk of ending up in another bad career.
Conclusion
Regardless of which specific reason is making you believe you are in the wrong career, it is important to listen to your gut and make a career switch when necessary. Staying on a career path that doesn’t suit your interests is a quick way to become burnt out. Try not to deny a bad career match by claiming the work is stable and comfortable. It may be a solid job, but a lack of motivation and unhappiness is a steep price to pay for that comfort. Pursue what really interests you and makes you happy.
