Since COVID, many people have given greater consideration to what they want out of their careers. Many people gave up their jobs during the pandemic or just afterwards because they either wanted a greater balance in life or realized that they were not doing what they loved. We’ve all considered taking the leap to a career that gives us something more rewarding in our mind, body, and soul, but what do you need to think about before you take that leap?
Examine Your Interests and Your Values
Lots of people choose careers based on what they are interested in, but it’s also critical to ask yourself questions about your values. Knowing what you like to learn about and what environments help you thrive are critical, but you also need to look at the things that are priorities while understanding what your strengths are.
Sometimes we can envision a perfect career based more on the things we are naturally good at, rather than the things we feel a burning passion for. Sometimes people choose a career because they are scared of getting bored. If you are looking for a career that is fulfilling but doesn’t conform to a set pattern, something like nursing is a great way to meet other people while also having that feeling that you are contributing. A travel nursing agency like Advantis is a great place to get more information about what is known as travel nursing where you are providing care in numerous locations which can be an incredibly diverse and fulfilling career path.
What Motivates You?
Many people think about money being the primary motivator, but you also need to go back to the values in your life. For example, where you would find meaning or what is most important to you. Prioritizing your life will help you come up with a list of things that can motivate you. This could include flexibility, work-life balance, and salary, but there are also many more components that you need to consider, especially in terms of those long-term goals.
Many people look at an ideal career as an endpoint when, in fact, they should be looking at it with a much wider lens. Looking at your primary motivators will also encompass your career goals. Would you want to work in the same industry in a decade’s time? This then means that you’ve got to start thinking about the industries that are likely to grow and develop over the next decade, or those that will stagnate or disappear, for example, because of tools like automation or AI.
Look at the Industries and Sectors Where You’d Be an Ideal Fit
The public sector where you are employed via local government will give you a greater potential for a stable career, but opting for a nonprofit organization can give more meaning to your life, but potentially less stability due to funding concerns. Conversely, the private sector is always focused more on growth, which can give you opportunities to move up the career ladder.
When you start to explore the sectors that would be a good fit, and then delve into specific industries, for example, media or energy, it can help you identify what would be great for you and take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. At this point, start to look at the list of industries that may interest you and seek out people who are working in those industries to gain insight into the average working day, or go online and find a career coach who can help you focus more on what you can achieve. Ultimately, it’s not just about what fits you, but if you can give the business what it needs.
Stop Looking for a “Perfect” Career
We can spend decades thinking about the ideal career for us and everything has to align perfectly, but the reality is that anybody can find themselves struggling with their working day. It’s more about looking at the bigger picture and seeing if you are predominantly happy in one place.
Making a career change is never an easy thing but if you are looking for fulfilling work you may have to do away with some of your preconceived notions as to what fulfilling is for you. Lots of people who are satisfied in their jobs don’t prioritize money or status, but rather opt for respect and doing something that makes a big difference. Pursuing your passion is one approach to getting a rewarding career, but remember, it’s not the only option!
Thank you for reading!
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