As a child I remember my dad coming home from work each night thrilled to relax, but excited to go in the next day. My dad never viewed his job as work. He lived by the adage ‘If you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.’
In college we’re told to work certain career clusters within our field of study and we’re encouraged to remain dedicated to that track. But at some point during your education you may realize that what you studied does not align with your personality and interests. You may just dislike the company you work for and its culture, but the void could be deeper than that if you leave your job every day feeling unfulfilled. If you’re unsatisfied or disengaged with your work, it’s not too late to adjust your career path. Here are some practical steps you can follow to improve your career situation and, more importantly, overall well-being. 1) Assess your overall job satisfaction Think deeply and record how you feel each day during and after work. Take notice of any general patterns: are you dissatisfied every day or only every so often when stressful situations arise? Understanding the root of your unhappiness and assessing these patterns will confirm whether or not you’re ready for a career change. 2) Ask yourself if your job aligns with your interests and values This question ties in directly with the idea of never having to work a day in your life. If you’re truly invested and engaged in your job, then that probably means it aligns with your passions and values. If you love your job, work shouldn’t feel difficult or boring most of the time you’re on the clock. Instead, you should feel like you’re being challenged enough, but still making a valuable contribution to society. If you’re still in college and are wondering if your major is a good fit, our Focus 2 program will help you gain a better understanding of your personality and how it impacts your work style and environment. 3) Consider possible alternative careers Brainstorm and research jobs you might be interested in where your skills overlap. It’s important to take inventory of your expertise versus what skills you need to refine. This way you can understand what you need to do to become a well-qualified candidate. The more detailed you are in conducting background research, the easier it will be to find a good fit for your skills and personality. Check out Candid Career to watch some day in the life videos of professionals in a variety of careers and job settings. 4) Tap into your personal and professional network After you research career options, the best way to move forward is to contact people you know. Friends and family might be able to help you out, but also think of mentors or co-workers from your previous positions who got to know you well and see if they recommend any new jobs for you. Get their opinion on the skills necessary to move forward and possibly shadow a professional in your new desired field. Showing interest and passion for a change while still working your current job will highlight your work ethic and motivation to learn and grow in new areas. 5) Upgrade your skills or education You might have to the opportunity to take on new tasks in your current job or help out with a special project that was previously handled by someone else. It’s always a good idea to take initiative by offering your help or consultation. Consider taking additional courses online or even doing an internship if your finances and situation allow it. Take my dad as an example. He studied psychology and realized after graduation that a career in that particular field was not for him. He did an internship which led to him becoming a writer for late night television. 6) You may just need a new job in the same industry Sometimes it’s a matter of simply needing to change companies. Your current job may align with your passions, but the culture or environment is draining and overall morale is low. It’s OK to feel this way and important to recognize when burnout occurs. Just make sure to plan your next steps before leaving any job and never burn any bridges with former co-workers. Marist students and alumni can visit and/or contact the Center For Career Services to get assistance with transitioning into a new area of the workforce. Career changes are big steps and often difficult to implement. It can be overwhelming to discover that your current job is not something you see yourself doing in the long term future. However, making a switch can be worth it if you are truly unhappy with aspects of your job because like my dad always says, “if you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”
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