3 Benefits of Changing your Career

A recent UK survey showed that 36 per cent of employees are unhappy in their jobs. A fifth of workers worried that work caused them stress and anxiety, while nearly one in 10 described it as ‘horrible’.

But financial responsibilities and fear of change mean many employees stick with stressful jobs straight through to retirement — never grasping the opportunity a career change might offer.

So here are three benefits of a career change that might convince those swithering over a job switch to finally take the plunge.

More fulfilling job

This benefit sounds like a no-brainer.

But it’s worth thinking about what fulfilment feels like to you — and whether the career you chose when you were a teenager still meets your needs. For example, if your motivation as a teenager was to receive a software engineer salary, it may be worth weighing things up as an adult for a clearer indication if such desire could still meet your needs as a more matured individual.

We all need to pay bills but it’s not all about the Benjamins.

The social capital and financial clout associated with a high-flying career might no longer be worth the stress and strain on your health and family.

Switching to a new career that suits your current mindset might mean a cut in wages — but if you become so stressed that you can’t work you’ll lose a lot more than money.

Volunteering can be a great route into getting paid to follow your passion or an online degree programme can help you upskill for a switch to an entirely new sector.

More time for family

Depending on job demands there’s a good chance your only ‘quality time’ with friends and family is a few hours snatched from your work schedule each week.

You’re doing your best to support them by working long hours but not seeing the benefits.

And before you know it you’ve missed out on the lion’s share of your children’s formative years and you and your spouse are ships that pass in the night.

It doesn’t have to be that way — if you like your sector but finds your current corporate set-up constricting you might find being self-employed in the same industry means more money and a better life-work balance.

Improve your self-esteem

Dr. Maya Angelou said, “there’s no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you”.

And spending the rest of your life regretting that you never took the chance to follow your true ambitions does untold damage to your self-esteem.

Changing career is a gamble — but it’s better to try and fail than put up with work that’s completely unsatisfying.

So consider whether frustration at your own inaction is the root cause of your daily rants about your terrible boss.

And remember that once you muster up the courage to quit he’ll be no more than a bad memory — and you’ll feel ten feet tall.

Mid-life career change is challenging so you can’t be flippant about its inherent risks — especially if you have family responsibilities.

But these are outweighed by the physical and psychological damage associated with spending your life fulfilling someone else’s dreams.

These three benefits of career change should help you quit your humdrum job with confidence and boldly seek something better.

Have you changed career course? Share your stories in the comments section.