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Starting a New Career Path Can Be Wrought With Uncertainty

November 25, 2022 - Reading time: 9 minutes

As I sit here and type of this note there is a lot of flux in my professional life. The potential for layoffs is pretty high right now in my company and yet I see it as an opportunity to move in a new direction. As you know I have been a lot of things in my life, when I was younger it was more than clear to me that, someday, I would be a professional gymnast at least for several years. Today, my husband and I still go dancing, both of us being rhythmically inclined, though my obsession has subdued to a normal health level from my peak in my early teens.

It should not come as much of a surprise that changing occupations could be a challenging task. After all, starting a new job from scratch in a field that you are not familiar with is not exactly the simplest thing to accomplish, particularly if you do not have any prior experience in the field.

Altering one's line of work can, on the other hand, result in a variety of positive outcomes. It is possible that it will provide you with the opportunity to start over, acquire new skills, and even make more money. Therefore, how can you determine if switching careers is the best choice for you?

Here are some things that should be taken into consideration:

  1. Are you dissatisfied with the career that you currently have?
    • If you've come to the conclusion that your current line of work isn't making you happy, it might be time to look into other options. Being unhappy in one's job can result in a wide range of complications, including a decline in productivity, increased absenteeism, and even clinical depression.
  2. Do you feel as though you're unable to get out of a rut?
    • When you feel as though you're simply going through the motions in your job and not really getting anywhere, then it's possible that you could benefit from making a switch to something else. Stepping outside of one's comfort zone can lead to the discovery of new opportunities and personal development.
  3. Are you interested in taking on a greater challenge?
    • People will frequently remain in the same line of work because they are either reluctant to embrace change or mistakenly believe that they are unable to excel at anything else. If you recognize yourself in any of these descriptions, it may be time to reevaluate the circumstances surrounding you. Putting yourself in uncomfortable situations can be beneficial to your personal and professional development.

That is simpler said than done for most. When I am left with a tricky situation I feel it is useful to go through a list of pros and cons, usually, I never need to write them down but with my current situation I did. When I was working to become a gymnast there was a need to do my own makeup when we would preform. That left me with an interest in makeup artistry when my gymnastic career was no longer relevant. That left me always wondering if it was life sending me a message.

Photo of a person presented with an obsticle

Breaking It Further Down

While my list looked a little bit different when I jotted it down this is what, in essence, it boiled down to. A number of the points were slightly different and I have already taken some courses on cosmetology when I was younger so point three of the cons list are less relevant to me now than they were when I was making my thoughts about the career choice in my teens.

First the Pros

  1. It's never too late to switch gears in your professional life. Many people believe that your twenties are the best time to "discover yourself," but this does not mean that you have to remain in the same job for the rest of your life. It is acceptable to seek new employment if you feel that you are not content in your current position.

  2. Having a shift in routine can be refreshing. Altering your line of work could provide you with a revitalized sense of purpose if you've been feeling like you're caught in a rut. Beginning one's career anew in a different sector or domain might be an exciting prospect.

  3. It's possible that you have more skills and experience than you give yourself credit for. When making a transition to a new line of work, you might be surprised to find that many of the abilities you gained in your prior position are transferable to the new industry.

  4. Switching to a new line of work may provide a more favorable work-life balance. If you're having trouble striking a healthy balance between your work and personal life in your current line of work, you might benefit from making a change. Think about getting a job that can either provide you with more adaptable working hours or let you do some of your job from home.

Now for the Cons

  1. Making a significant change in one's line of work can be a stressful and intimidating experience. There will be a great deal of uncertainty, and it is possible that your income and job title will need to be reset to their most basic levels.

  2. You are going to have to do some research. It is essential to make a decision regarding changing occupations after gathering sufficient information. Be sure to conduct exhaustive study on potential new lines of work before making the transition.

  3. You might be required to get additional training or return to school. Before starting your new career, you could be required to complete a certain number of classes or receive further training, and this need will vary according to the industry that you will be working in. This can make the process of switching careers more time-consuming and expensive.

My Dream Job?

Would it be my dream job? I am note able to answer that with a resounding yes. My current job is fine, while not rewarding, I also don't hate it. But how many of us can say that, the majority most likely since we would have a lot more career flux going on.

One aspect of becoming a makeup artist is that one is pretty free, you work for somebody else if it doesn't work out, you can be freelance, or start your own salon and hire others to do the work. No matter what my path is is would still love to find my dream job.

Finding the right career is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It can be a difficult and time-consuming process, but it’s worth it in the end. There are a few key things to keep in mind when searching for the right career.

Think about what you’re passionate about. What are you interested in? What drives you? When you find a career that you’re passionate about, it won’t feel like work. You’ll be excited to get up and go to your job every day.

You should also consider your skills and strengths, honestly. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Matching your skills and interests with a career is a great way to find satisfaction in your work.

By researching different careers and by talking to people who are already working in those fields you can get a realistic idea of what the day-to-day tasks are like and whether or not you would enjoy them. Once you have a better understanding of what a particular career entails, you can make a more informed decision about whether or not it’s the right fit for you.

Finally, don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying something new can be scary, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Stepping outside of your comfort zone may just lead you to the perfect career for you.

Searching for the right career can be daunting, but it’s also an exciting journey. By keeping these things in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding a career that you love.

Wow, today's essay got a lot longer than I had planned, it really was just going to be a note at first but my finger kept typing and this is what we ended up with. There is a sense of clarity that I now have after writing this wasn't there when the first words rolled across the screen which is positive sign. Wish me luck, my deliberation has been long and my path getting to the decision to move forward even longer!