Is it ever too late to change careers?

ARTICLE

28 June 2022

4 mins read

Wellness

Changing careers can be intimidating, but it can also be liberating. Dr Jaime Lee breaks down the many factors to consider before deciding on a new occupation, and how we can best prepare ourselves before making the switch.

Let’s answer the question first: no, it’s never too late to change careers. But it’s important to know when a change is right for you, and how to plan your next moves before taking the plunge.

I know first-hand what drives people to jump into an entirely new career (I’ve done it twice) and just how difficult that can be. When I quit my surgical career, I had no plan of what to do next, so I dropped everything and travelled for a year.

Eventually I went back to studying, then began working as a management consultant. But just four and a half years later, I left again. I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, but I allowed myself 6 months (or half of my savings, whatever ran out first) to find out.

Looking back, I could have used some advice to help me plan better for those big moments. Here’s what I learned.

Assess how your job is making you feel

Here’s a quote from one of my favourite poems by David Whyte: "Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive, is too small for you."

Full-time work can take up about half of your waking life, so it’s better for your mental health and wellbeing to find something you enjoy. If you’re feeling irritable, unmotivated or depressed (or all the above) at work, it might be time to take a break.

It’s also important to take note of how your job may be affecting you, even when you’re off the clock. We all get frustrated by work sometimes. But if you find yourself dreading work and complaining about it every day for months on end, or if your personal relationships start being affected, that’s a big red flag.

Of course, not everyone has to love their job. Some people find joy and meaning through their family or through being of service to the community. But it is possible for anyone to love their job, when it aligns with their skills, interests or beliefs (or all three).

Take small steps, not a leap of faith

If you’re serious about a career change but aren’t sure which way to go, think about what inspires you, your interests and what you’re good at – trust me, you are good at something.

But before hitting send on that resignation email, it’s important to make a plan. Consider all the different ways you might transition into your new career, then once you’ve chosen your path, rather than taking an all-or-nothing approach, take it one small step at a time.

If you’re able to, a great option might be to work part-time while you test the waters. This can allow you time to study or explore something new, without diving head-first into a career you know little about.

Any career change will come with a transition period, and stress is a normal part of that. But there’s bad stress and good stress. While bad stress can be overwhelming, good stress can drive us to learn and grow in new environments. Remember to be kind to yourself, and slow down when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Have a safety net

If you're considering changing careers, you're probably already thinking about money. It’s natural, as we need to ensure our needs (and those of our dependents) are prioritised – depending on your situation, your financial obligations might be the only thing holding you back from making a change.

Firstly, I’d advise creating a financial safety net for yourself. Do the math and calculate how much ‘time’ you have in your bank account, and how much you’re willing to spend. When I decided to change careers, I was willing to use up to half of my savings to simply explore what I wanted to do next.

Secondly, don’t burn bridges when leaving your current job. Leaving on good terms doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to return if things don’t work out, but it’ll help you feel more secure when you do take that first step, if you know that going back is always an option – there’s no shame in that.

Lastly, you don’t have to go it alone. While this is ultimately your decision, talking about it with someone can help you get to the bottom of what you really want. This might mean leaning on your partner, your parents or your best friend, or seeking out someone objective, like a career coach or therapist. Chat about your goals and ambitions, listen to their advice and map out a plan that works for you.

In the wake of the pandemic and the Great Resignation, we've been seeing high turnover and skills shortages in the Australian workforce. This means it's a good time for employees to be asking for higher wages, more benefits and more flexibility – or to start taking those small steps towards an entirely new career.

Dr. Jaime Lee

Dr. Jaime Lee is the Founder and CEO of Health Quotient, a company dedicated to transforming workplaces around the world by inspiring individual health and whole organisational renewal through leadership keynotes, workshops and mentoring. With experience as a medical doctor, public health specialist, corporate strategist, speaker and facilitator, Dr. Jaime works with global companies to help them sustain high performance teams in an integrated and healthy way.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

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