Artur, who has a background in investment banking, is now the Chief Technology Officer of CareerKarma. He is also a founder of Breaking Into Startups Podcast. Veracity Technologies is excited to have Artur pen this article for us.
If you are so inclined to venture out on your own, then read about How To Start Your Own Business.
Table of Contents
Did you choose the wrong career? If you are reading this article, it probably means you already have some doubts. It isn’t uncommon for people to be in the wrong career. It is difficult to choose what you want to do for the rest of your life when you are a teenager. Or maybe you chose right, but you’ve changed. Here are some signs that will help you decide if you are on the wrong track.
Your Career Doesn’t Align With Your Values
One of the first things that means you chose the wrong career is that it doesn’t align with your values. Our values are part of who we are, and most often than not, they help us differentiate between good and bad. When the company’s mission and values don’t align with what we believe in, we will feel like we are going against ourselves.
In that case, the issue can be solved by changing jobs. But what happens when what the whole industry does goes against our values? Then, maybe you are on the wrong path. For example, if you are a petroleum engineer, but you are against damaging the environment, it will be a challenge to find a position that doesn’t harm the earth.
You Can’t Keep Up
When you put all your effort and use all your skills and still can’t keep up, you may be in the wrong career. Sometimes we choose careers for social pressure, money, or how the idea sounded. But there are different types of intelligence and personalities, and no matter how much we try, it is harder to fit into molds we aren’t made for.
So, if you’ve never been good at math, there is a reason for that, and it’s not that you are dumb. You should identify what your strengths are and find a career that takes advantage of them. Maybe you are better with creative endeavors. Then you will be more successful with a web design career than with chemical engineering.
You Hate Talking About It
Most people can’t stop talking about what they love. When you hate your career, the opposite happens. You hate it when people ask about your job or career goals. You don’t know what to say, and you feel like your career doesn’t really represent who you are. Another outcome can be that you only complain when people ask about your job.
If any of the situations I just described sound familiar, then you probably are in the wrong career. Maybe you should start looking deep into yourself to understand why you feel that way. For example, if you are a software engineer and you feel burnout, maybe a change of pace with another job will be enough. So, it can happen that your career isn’t the source, but either way, it isn’t healthy to hate your job.
You Constantly Feel Burnout
Being in a profession you hate, isn’t in line with your values, and doesn’t make you feel fulfilled will only bring negative consequences to your life. It can make you feel depressed, stressed, and anxious. Long-term stress and anxiety bring other physical consequences like muscle pain, sleep problems, and even headaches.
All of those are signs showing you are burned out, and the longer you stay in a career that isn’t for you, the more you will find yourself feeling like you can’t take it anymore. Even vacations won’t be enough to make you feel refreshed.
You Feel Worse Thinking About The Future
Everyone has career goals that they want to reach at some point. But if you shudder just thinking about working in your profession for the next 20 years, then you are probably on the wrong path.
If you think about being promoted to your boss’ position and you hate it, that is also a sign. Picturing the future and visualizing how you see yourself in ten years can be an excellent exercise to know if you are on the right path.
What Now? Did You Choose the Wrong Career?
After reading this article, you should at least know if you are on the wrong path or to understand your emotions better. If you decide your career isn’t for you, the next step is to look for a career that aligns with what you want. You can research different career options on Career Karma and go over their career change content for advice. Then you can start learning the skills you will need in your fresh path.
In Summary
If your career doesn’t align with your values, you can’t keep up no matter how hard you try, and you hate talking about it, you probably are on the wrong path. And if you constantly feel burnout and feel worse just thinking about the next 20 years, what other signs do you need? Stop letting fear rule your decisions and start the change now.
