The Mid-Career Switch
TW talks to four readers and finds out how and why they switched careers. Find out why below!
Research by Vodafone found that the 31-35 age group is the most unhappy at work. When asked about their negative feelings about work, 59{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} of them felt undervalued, 49{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} were unfulfilled and 43{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} were de-motivated.
However, you can feel dissatisfied with your career at any age. Career consultant and occupational psychologist Sherridan Hughes says, “to find the right career at any life stage you must consider your motivation, your interests, values, ethics, and level of ambition versus your desired quality of life. Your ability and qualifications are also important considerations.”
Most people nowadays don’t want to work in a dead-end job, but rather do what will leave them feeling fulfilled and happy. Monotony is one of the top reasons people change jobs or careers however it is thoroughly important to research your desired position, and find out if there are any qualifications or training you will need to enter into that field.
Consider getting work experience on the side and talk to people who are working in that field already. Don’t make any drastic decisions; find out the exact reason you want to leave your current job and if your new career will really fill that gap in your life. Here are some top tips for would be career shifters;
Research – find out if you have the right qualifications and skills and if you would need to gain more.
Plan – before leaving a secure job make sure you have started applying and ask for feedback, plan meticulously so you have enough money in the interim.
Be resourceful – put 100{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} effort and commitment into seeking your new role, it will not just fall into your lap.
Be patient – The time between having your initial idea and it becoming a reality can be lengthy, so be patient and if at first you don’t succeed dust yourself off and try again.
Be bold – The saying goes that you only regret what you didn’t do.
TW talks to four readers and finds out how and why they switched careers.
Funbi Ibidapo-Obe
After school and a few years working with a Law firm, I was craving change. In my head, there was a picture of me heading a business team and brainstorming ideas. So I prayed about it.
One happy accident later, I found myself managing a Logistics (Haulage) Company. It’s been two years of intense experiences and plenty“OMG, what am I doing” moments. I basically had to learn on the job and Google was my go-to resource in the first few months but the picture in my head has definitely come together.
Olubunmi Ahmed
All my life I wanted to be a Lawyer, I had experience working in England as a Family and Criminal Paralegal which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted to increase my opportunity to go up the career ladder, so I moved to Nigeria to do law school.
However, before I completed the Bar exams I just knew that practice was not for me.
My father owns an insurance company so I started by taking professional exams with the Chartered Insurance Institute in England. In January 2013 I started working with Standard Insurance Consultants Limited which is an insurance Brokerage, consulting in all types of insurance Business for its clients.
I had to go through those stumbling blocks to discover what I truly love; my legal background is not wasted, and I find myself discussing the growing insurance market in Nigeria with colleagues with great passion as if it has always been my first career choice.
The best advice I would give anyone looking to change careers is to research and educate yourself in what it is you want to switch to because you will have to invest a lot of time and possibly money to realize the vision.
Bisola Borha
A friend called me out of the blue one day to help her to plan her wedding because she was out of the country. That phone call changed the course of my career and the experience made me realize I had been in the wrong career for over four years. I disliked my old job in the importation sector, every day was a struggle and attempts to change departments didn’t work out.
My friend’s wedding was a success and clients started pouring in afterwards but I still didn’t leave my job for almost a year. I wanted a lifetime of “satisfaction and success” and prayed about it then I finally said goodbye to my old career. I enrolled in some training courses in Nigeria and USA and now I own an events company called TrendyBEEvents, I have done numerous weddings and coordinated events such as MAC and Clinique, even though there are challenges each challenge makes me stronger and more passionate.
Adenrele Fayose
Six years ago I knew I enjoyed planning events. However, with traditional parents, I had to follow their dream. I moved back to Nigeria 4 years ago & worked at First Bank in the Strategy & Corporate Dept while planning events on the side. I wouldn’t say I had any regrets whilst there as I still had the opportunity to plan the bank’s Group mgmt retreat & board retreat. Last year, I decided to make my Event Planning business official & Ruby Fay Events was birthed. Today, I am a much happier person, doing what I enjoy. I’d advise people to ALWAYS follow your dream, no matter how late it is.
…….Culled from tw May 2013 Edition.
