Changing Your Career At 30 Might Sound Scary, But It Could Also Be The Best Decision Of Your Life
The following column is the opinion and analysis of the writer. After pursuing an expensive degree, getting through your first entry-level job, and finally achieving some semblance of financial stability, leaving your career behind at 30 to embark on new endeavors can be downright terrifying.
You’ve spent the better part of a decade learning your current craft, honing your network, and building a name for yourself. Calling it quits and moving on now would just bulldoze all of your hard work, right?
Well, if you’re unhappy, that’s not necessarily the case.
First of all, we shouldn’t let ourselves fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy, a phenomenon in which people are hesitant to abandon their current course solely because they’ve already invested heavily in it in the past.
And if you wake up for work every single day dreading your job, you shouldn’t have to continue feeding the anxiety, dread, and sadness of your future.
No matter what your parents, friends, or your own inner thoughts tell you, switching directions is completely possible at 30, and it might be the best decision you ever make for your mental health.
Yes, You Can Start Fresh At 30
You might feel like you’re late in the game for a career change, but 30 is arguably the best period of your life to make this transition.
If you planned to stay in the corporate game until 40, 50, or even 60 years old, you probably have fewer responsibilities now than you would then. The same can be said about your personal life, too.
mary_markevich – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person
That’s why, right now, it will be easier to invest in your new future, launch a fresh career, and begin making money doing something you’re actually passionate about for the next couple of decades.
Thankfully, by the time we are 30, our self-awareness has also (hopefully) developed way beyond when we were in our late teens or early twenties.
Can you believe young adults are expected to make such significant career decisions at those tender ages? This is a conversation for another day.
Regardless, you have come to know more about yourself than ever before. You understand how you work, your priorities, and what you want to achieve in life. Being aware of what makes you tick will help you find a brand-new career path that aligns with your interests and values.
Not to mention, at the age of 30, you likely have around a decade of work experience to add to your resume already. Employers aren’t just going to write off your past positions, even if you’re entering a new field, since you will still have relevant, transferable skills that can be applied in a new way.
Finally, think back to that network you’ve been building since entering the workforce. You can lean on your connections to explore open opportunities and get stellar references.
How To Know You Should Make The Leap
Major career decisions all come down to confidence. You will muster up the courage to make a change if you have faith in yourself and recognize what’s not working in your current situation.
So, before you do anything, ask yourself a few key questions.
In terms of your own personal work ethic and interests, ask: Do I enjoy what I do, and am I good at it?
What am I truly passionate about? Am I fueling my passion or following money? What would my ideal life look like in five years?
And to better understand how you feel about your current position, ask: Do I have a toxic work environment? What’s not working at my job? Am I supported, encouraged, and challenged? Do I feel respected and appreciated?
Lastly, you will have to ask a few more questions that might be a bit tougher to answer.
Prior to diving into a new career, realize that having to take a pay cut and work your way back up is possible. Are you alright with that? Also, consider whether your vision for a new role is a bit too aspirational or more realistic.
You can write your answers down in a journal and reflect on them alone or discuss them with a trusted loved one. Either way, having a clear head and grounded expectations will give you the confidence you need to move on from your current career or stay where you’re at.
So, You Decided You Want To Change Your Career: How To Get Started
Upon taking stock of your raw feelings about your career right now, you may have decided to start searching for your next endeavor.
The best way to begin is by analyzing what you like and dislike. Think back on all your years of working. What revved you up, and what squandered your spirit?
At the same time, make a list of your skills and what you can bring to the table in a new role. Are you a killer communicator or awesome at time management? Do you have an analytical mind, or are you more of a creative type?
Knowing your transferrable skills will come in handy for this next step: research.
You may already have your new career in mind, or you could be totally unsure about where to migrate next. Regardless, do some research and determine what fields interest you. And figure out what roles within these fields align with your long-term plan.
Of course, this will include assessing job descriptions themselves and determining if the day-to-day responsibilities appeal to you. Aside from that, though, look at average salaries, requirements, benefits, and office culture.
Take as much time as you need here, as you don’t want to make a hasty decision. Then, once you’re ready to pull the trigger, you can begin to refresh your resume and look into new ways to gain relevant experience or new skills, such as in-person or online classes.
You will also just have to put yourself out there, no matter how scary it may be. Don’t hesitate to submit job applications, reach out to old connections for support, market yourself on social media, and show up at networking events.
The worst thing that anyone can ever say is “No.” And honestly, you never know: an unlikely door that you knock on might just be the one that opens and leads you to land your dream job.
Sign up for Chip Chick’s newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
More About:Advice
Read This Next
