Ever felt trapped in a job you don’t exactly love? You might think that you’ve wasted time doing something you hate for years. You might also feel that you aren’t “good enough” for other jobs.
If this sounds like you, you’re not alone.
Most of us had been pressured to figure out what we want to do for a living–even before graduating high school. And while others already know what they want to be when they grow up, there are lots of employees who aren’t happy with their career choices.
But here’s the good news: you can still switch careers, no matter how old you are. Read on and find out our tips for choosing the right career path.
Don’t Just Stick to Your Passion
Disney movies had us thinking that we should follow our hearts and pursue our passion. Different variations of career quotes tell us to “do what you love, the money will follow” or “do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
But odds are, this advice doesn’t ring true for everyone.
Sure, you can make a career out of drawing by designing logos for companies, be the next Stephen King, or try your hand at vlogging to share your guitar skills.
But when you treat your passion or hobby as a job, you might not enjoy it as much or even end up hating it. And sometimes, it’s difficult to make money out of your passion.
We’re not saying that you shouldn’t choose a career path based on your passion. By all means, go for it, especially if that’s something you really want to do. What we are saying though is to not limit your career choices to your passion.
Find Something You Wouldn’t Mind Doing
If you feel like your passion is worth the fight, stick to it, be persistent, and don’t be afraid to fail. Resilience is key to succeeding in a competitive industry or a field with few opportunities.
But if you feel otherwise, be at peace with it. Have an open mind and find a job you wouldn’t mind doing eight hours a day. Likewise, avoid something that you’ll be miserable doing.
You can always set aside the time for your hobbies and find other sources of fulfillment. Your job does not completely define who you are–and it doesn’t need to be your only way of feeling happy and fulfilled.
Figure Out What You Want From a Job
Before you pick a career path, you may want to consider your priorities and how you want your life to look. Stability, salary, culture, benefits, opportunities for growth–these are just some of the factors in choosing the right job.
Of course, what a career can give you is different from what a company can offer. And you probably know this already, but sometimes, your chosen career path isn’t what’s wrong–it might be the company you’re working for.
Explore Your Options and Abilities
Whether you have interests or not, it’s best to explore your career options out there and embrace uncertainty.
Don’t like doing something? Keep on finding what you do like.
If you’re good at crafting things but can’t find a way to make money out of it, you might be good at something else entirely. If you love both art and data, why not try designing infographics as a profession?
Yes, there are tons of helpful career tests and resources online, but make sure to take them with a grain of salt. It all boils down to you and your decisions alone.
Remember this: you aren’t bound to whatever career you choose. You always have the option to switch jobs and carve out a path of your own. Don’t get caught up in what-ifs–just start with anything and do it for yourself.
Oxford at Estonia Apartments in San Antonio, TX