Just as changing your major during study is normal, so is choosing to move in a different direction in your career. Whether you’re looking to shift your specialisation, or pivot into a new area, changing careers is reasonably common and is an exciting opportunity for growth and new horizons. Fifty percent of postgraduate students we surveyed said they were looking to change their careers through their study. We asked them what signs they noticed that alerted them that they were ready for a change of direction.
1. You feel you’ve progressed as far as you can in your current career
I reached the top of where I could go in my old role, and needed to upskill to move forward in my career.
Sometimes people find that they reach a point in their career where they have progressed as far as they can and a change is needed to move forward. Some examples of this include:
- Being ready for a promotion but finding there are no roles available for your level of experience and expertise.
- Finding that the culture at your organisation is not conducive to career progression.
- Deciding you want to move sideways into a related field but need additional skills to get you there.
Reaching this point can be an opportunity to reassess your career goals and pivot towards new opportunities. By upskilling through a postgraduate programme or undertaking a postgraduate degree, you can open up whole new possibilities for your existing career or move into something entirely new.
2. Study has changed your outlook
Study changed the direction of my career goals.
Studying widens your horizons. Through learning you are exposed to new ways of thinking and opportunities. Postgraduate study can open your eyes to new areas of interest as well as opening career doors for you. One postgraduate student noted: “As I draw near to finishing my degree, the more I learn, the more I feel inclined towards something other than the role I am in.”
3. You’re looking for a new challenge
I was dissatisfied with what I was doing.
Are you feeling a lack of motivation and curiosity? Sometimes these normal feelings can indicate more than just general dissatisfaction with your job. Occasionally feeling jaded can be a signal that you’re ready for a change of career. When we asked in our survey about the signs people noticed, being dissatisfied with their current role stood out as a common response. If you’re feeling this, definitely have a think about where you stand, and assess your options.
4. You’re ready for a higher salary
I want to increase my earning potential.
There has been a large amount of conversation around changing careers in this current economic environment. From a worker shortage to a rapidly changing economy with rising inflation, some financial journalists have suggested that this is in fact an opportunity for a career change—and to increase your earning potential.
5. You’re looking for a better work-life balance
The pandemic has changed my aspirations for work-life balance.
The pandemic has given many office workers a glimpse of a different life with working from home changing commuting routines and the way we work generally. It has opened up more conversations about flexible working arrangements and working from home regularly, and shown that many jobs can be productively accomplished from home.
While this looks different for every organisation and business, there is no denying that the landscape has changed and what you want out of your job, your job satisfaction, and work life balance aspirations may have changed too. Maybe you have a clearer idea of what you want to do now, or you’ve realised that you would like to work closer to home to shorten your commute.