How to start again | Change Career with Me! #2

You've just realized that the career path you've been pursuing so far actually does not work for you. Now what do you do? Where can you start again? How is this realization affecting you? Which practical steps can you take to find a new path? Let's see!

Based on my personal experience, we should handle this issue by tackling two equally important aspects.

The first, and most underrated, is the emotional and psychological one. Leaving a path that you have invested a lot of time, money, and energy into is never easy. But, aside from the feeling of having wasted part of our lives, we also have to deal with other factors that are purely sentimental. If we made certain choices and investments into certain career paths, it was because we somewhat felt attached to them. We liked the idea of this career, we liked the field, we felt that it could have been the most suitable for us, we thought that we could live off of it.

Pretty much like when we break up with a significant other, we still feel a sense of failure as well. We think that we are irresponsible or somewhat at fault for not managing to make it work. Conversely, we fail to see the other side of the coin: our bravery. It takes a considerable amount of self-awareness, honesty, and courage to even consider that, maybe, a certain part of our life will not work long-term or is not for us anymore, especially in our society.

Indeed, we are born and raised in a society that sees relationships and work as immutable pillars of our life. While currently necessary for our well-being, they do not, in fact, need to be so rigid, and what's more, they will never be.

Think about it: how can we be the sole responsible of something that relies so heavily on other people and external circumstances?

A huge portion of millennials and gen-z have already accepted this for a long time, since they have already witnessed multiple economic crises that have affected their job outlook as well. However, when we actually find ourselves in such a situation, these aspects can quickly turn into fixed pillars again, and that's completely okay. We are in a vulnerable position, we have been destabilized by these realizations so, as much as we brace ourselves, it will always leave a bit of a bad taste in our mouths. If we don't work on it, we cannot figure out a new path, because we will lack the clarity to do so.

How do we translate this in practice?

First of all, get as much rest as your schedule allows you and engage in healthy coping mechanisms. Journal, do some exercise, talk to your therapist, or try to get more sleep, whatever works for you.

For God's sake, do not, and I cannot stress this enough, do not try career tests, personality tests, or any other method to find your path. Forget about career for a moment, as much as you can. You're probably frustrated, sad, and maybe even tired or burnt out, which is not productive at all. Once you achieve some peace of mind, only then you can try these methods.

When you have a clearer mind, you can get to the second part: finding practical solutions.

If you're enrolled in a college, wait a moment before abruptly changing your major or dropping out entirely. Look up alternative careers linked to your degree. At most, I'd say to change your minor or, if you do not have a minor, get some information on eventual extra courses offered by your major.

Do not limit to your university, though! Dive into platforms like FutureLearn, which offers courses either for free or for a cheap price. Do not underestimate your hobbies as well, they could turn into a career or provide you with useful skills for your new one!

Besides courses and practical information, take a look into new "work philosophies" as well! In the recent years, lots of youtubers and internet personalities have shared their personal views on work, which often differ greatly from the traditional and rigid concept of career. It's not fundamental to choose a new career per se, but it could inspire you to think a bit more outside the box and find a mindset that suits you better. We will dive into these aspects in the next articles, so stay tuned!

How have you felt after realizing that a certain career was not for you? Do you have other tips? Tell me in the comments!