Empowerment

Struggling at Work? Top 8 Signs That It's Time to Change Your Career!

How to recognise the signs that it's time to switch; How to let curiosity guide you to your next career; Low-code jobs board.

Nonjabulo Zondi

July 30, 2024

Hey there reader’s

We’re back with another edition of Careers&Things. We’re wrapping up this month with a look at how you can spot when it might be time to consider a career change, catching up with one of our C&T readers on her career switch, and sharing ideas on how to spark and nurture curiosity in your on search.

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We hope you enjoy this week’s instalment!

Warmly,

Nonjabulo Zondi

Founder & Head Coach, Careers&Things

🚀 Top 8 Signs it’s time for a career switch

Making a career switch is a significant decision, and it's one that can lead to a more fulfilling and rewarding professional life. However, recognising the signs that it’s time to make this change can be challenging.

If you're feeling uncertain about your current career path, here are the top five signs that it might be time to consider a career switch:

1. Your passion and motivation for the work that you do is dwindling

One of the telling signs that it’s time for a career switch is a noticeable lack of passion and motivation. If you find yourself dreading going to work each day, struggling to get through your tasks, or feeling indifferent about your accomplishments, it might be time to reassess your career choice.

A certain amount of passion and motivation for your work is a crucial driver for success and is a big contributor to professional satisfaction over time. Without it, work can feel monotonous and like a big drain on your energy.

2. Feeling like there’s no room for growth

Career growth is essential for maintaining motivation and achieving long-term goals. If you feel like you've hit a plateau in your current role with no opportunities for advancement, learning, or skill development, it might be time to move on.

Stagnation can lead to frustration and boredom, and it can prevent you from reaching your full potential.

3. Constant state of Stress and Burnout

While some level stress, busy periods and the feeling of being ‘stretched’ is a normal part of any job (being in a job where you don’t feel stretched can be a sign that you might not be in the right position/role/level for you), constant, overwhelming stress and burnout are signs that the type of work might be out of alignment with you.

If you’re constantly feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and mentally drained, your current job might be taking too much of a toll on your well-being and might be putting you in a position where, overtime, you might not be able to do your best work.

4. Misalignment with Personal Values

A big one that is hardly spoken about is the feeling that the work that you do is not in alignment with your values. If you find that your job conflicts with what you believe in or doesn't support the lifestyle you want, it can lead to dissatisfaction and put severe strain on your mental and emotional wellbeing overtime.

Whether it’s a matter of company culture, ethical standards, or work environment, a misalignment with your values is one of the strongest indicators that you need to consider a change of environment, job or career.

5. Curiosity About Other Fields

If you find yourself frequently daydreaming about different career paths or feeling envious of friends or colleagues in other industries, it might be a sign that your current job isn't fulfilling your interests. Curiosity about other fields can be a natural inclination towards a career that better suits your skills and passions.

Exploring these interests can open doors to new opportunities and a more satisfying professional life.

6. You Don’t Feel Like You Can Be Yourself at Work

Are you in an environment that lets you showcase your personality, or do you feel drained because you feel you have to wear a mask all day? While it’s completely normal to have to create and maintain on a professional persona at work, your work and daily environment should allow you moments to showcase your true self.

Consider looking for jobs that tap into your personality rather than stifle it for long term growth and enjoyment.

7. Your Current Career Does Not Align with Your Long-Term Goals

While we completely understand that sometimes times are tough and all you need is simply to get by, if you consistently view all your jobs as nothing more than a salary, it’s probably time to consider how you can build out a career that merges your financial and aspirational needs.

Ideally, your job should help you achieve your long-term goals. That could be anything from wanting to afford holidays, putting your kids through school and saving money for retirement. If you don’t see a way to connect your current work with your future plans, you may want to begin exploring other options.

8. You’ve already tried changing companies

While we advocate for building careers that bring you fulfilment and long term sustainability, we also advocate for doing so responsibly. Ask yourself whether you’ve done all you can do to make your current situation work? Have you tried talking to your manager to ask for more challenging work opportunities or have you changing jobs?

It’s important to understand whether your decision to change jobs is a pull (moving towards something you love) or a push (moving against something you dislike) one. Both motivations are valid, however, making a career switch requires commitment, and it’s best to understand your motivations so you’re able to adjust your expectations accordingly.

Making the Switch

Recognising these signs is the first step toward making a positive career change. Once you’ve identified that it’s time for a switch, take proactive steps to explore your options. Research potential careers, network with professionals in those fields, and consider seeking guidance from career development resources like Careers&things.

Remember, making a career switch is a journey, and with the right preparation and mindset, it can lead to a more fulfilling and successful future.

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Despite the predominant narrative of career paths mapped out like a linear journey, an increasing number of young professionals entering the workforce are very quickly opting to forge their own unique career paths and define their own roadmaps to success. This new approach to career development and advancement is often driven by a search for increased fulfillment, a desire for impact and a deeper curiosity to explore all the new opportunities afforded by growing digitisation and globalisation.

With curiosity as their compass, young professionals are moving away from their initial career paths towards new careers. Boipelo Maetla is one of those young professionals who began her career as a teacher and was pulled to Finance due to her deeper fascination with numbers at an early age. Boipelo tells us about her story of allowing curiosity to flourish in her life and her bravery to break from tradition within her family to explore a career in finance.

Hi Boipelo, tell us a little about you.

My name is Boipelo Maetla, and I am a dedicated teacher transitioning into the finance and accounting field. I hold a Bachelor of Education degree in Senior Phase and FET from the University of Johannesburg, completed in 2018, and I have six years of teaching experience in both government and private schooling environments.

Currently, I am in my second year of a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences degree, majoring in Financial Accounting, at the University of South Africa. With a passion for numbers and analysis, I am excited to embark on this new chapter in my career. Outside of work, I enjoy literature, jazz, and poetry.

How and why did you get into Education?

I entered education inspired by a family of teachers and a passion for learning. Observing how educators impact lives motivated me to pursue a Bachelor of Education.

While teaching has been fulfilling, my growing interest in finance and accounting is leading me to explore new career opportunities in this field.

What have you enjoyed most about your education journey thus far?

The most fulfilling part of my education journey has been the chance to spark curiosity and growth in students while also embracing my own continuous learning. It has been a joy to witness their "aha" moments and to evolve alongside them in the ever-changing landscape of education.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Some challenges I have encountered include witnessing students' mental health struggles and seeing them exit the education system prematurely due to life’s inevitable difficulties and socio-economic factors. The limitation of my ability to support every student often leaves me feeling powerless.

Tell us about your career transition journey. Why have you been drawn to a career transition? What do you hope to achieve from it?

For a few years, I have felt drawn to a career transition, but I was initially fearful of charting a new path without a clear map, especially since I had not seen anyone I know make a similar shift. However, I realised I could not stay in education forever due to personal growth goals and a desire for new challenges and less repetitive work. I am pursuing this transition to build a fulfilling career that I can dedicate the next chapter of my professional life to.

Why accounting?

I am drawn to accounting because it connects with a childhood fascination I had with the character Akua Yenana from the soapie Society. As a stockbroker, she managed complex numbers and handled crises with skill, which captivated me. Although I initially pursued a different career, that early interest in financial analysis and problem-solving has resurfaced, guiding me towards accounting.

Bravery is such an important skill set to have in this journey of exploring something new - what has your experience been with having to be more brave as you explore this new career?

The bravest thing I have done on this journey is making the start and enrolling in a course that is extremely challenging and drawing on my skills that I haven’t used since high school. Secondly, as a self-funded student, it is making a conscious financial decision to commit to this path, regardless of the sacrifices I will need to make along the way.

Would you define yourself as someone who is curious?

I would consider myself someone who is adaptable but also committed to finishing what I start. I suppose that is why I’m committed to finishing this new degree and completing my career transition no matter the sacrifice.

How do you deal with insecurity or the uncertainty that might come up during your process?

Fortunately for me, I spent so much time thinking about this transition and mapping it out that not much along the way has sparked doubts or fear. Additionally, I take each part of the journey as it comes, focusing on one step at a time.

How did you discover Careers&Things?

I discovered Career&Things through a LinkedIn article shared by someone in my network. I felt drawn to the article written by another career transitioner and it felt good to see someone else within education also looking to chart their own path beyond what they’re familiar with.

It feels like fate and faith have brought us together, reigniting my motivation even amidst the fatigue I've experienced while advancing in my studies and fully committing to my current role as a teacher.

What would be your advice for other people in your shoes?

My advice for others in a similar situation is to take control of your career path and define what your work life should be. Pursue the dreams that truly ignite your passion, no matter how long it takes or how challenging the journey. A lifetime is a long time for careers to remain static.

How Careers&Things can help you

Gone are the days of climbing a single ladder to success; today's workforce is a complex tapestry woven with diverse experiences and unexpected turns. Reach out to Careers&Things today and unlock your full potential through a successful career switch. Visit our website or contact us to learn more.

🚀 C&T Low Code Jobs Board

C&T Tech Jobs Board

🚀 In the Spotlight this week

In the spotlight are job listings with exciting Tech companies that we believe are ripe for a career switch!

1. Copywriter (Social). Accenture. Entry - Mid level. Cape Town, South Africa.

2. Marketing & Partnership Manager. eComplete. Mid level. Cape Town, South Africa.

3. Customer Relations Manager. eComplete. Mid level. Cape Town, South Africa.

4. Mid-Senior Design Manager. eComplete. Mid - Senior level. Cape Town, South Africa.

5. Customer Support Team Lead. iKhokha. Senior.Durban, South Africa.

6. Inbound Sales Future Talent Pool. iKhokha. Entry - Mid level. Durban, South Africa.

Know anyone in the market? Share this post with them today!

Our Services

We offer a range of services to help you discover, transition into, and thrive in digital, future-fit careers that include CV review and writing, career transition coaching and providing up-skilling.

visit our website on www.careersandthings.com or email us on careersandthings@gmail.com to learn more about our services.

About Us

Careers&Things is a tech careers and personal development platform. We specialise in supporting entry to mid-level professionals position themselves better for the job search market through training, webinars, events, and more.