Entering the new decade in 2020, we didn’t expect such an uncertain year. 2020 brought stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
2020 also left many people questioning their career choices. Do you feel like your job is as rewarding and meaningful as it should be? Seeing those front-line workers making a difference made many feel like they could and should do more. Others may suddenly want a career that offers more stability or more job opportunities. Some people would love to keep working from home. If you are looking to switch your career, here are a few factors to consider during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Are you unhappy with your job?
If your career is draining you and making you miserable, then don’t let COVID-19 stop you from looking into other options.
What’s vital is that you can make sure that it’s the job that’s making you unhappy, not the current circumstances. It can be easy to confuse the two, since most of us live in a perpetual state of stress and unease right now. Evaluate your emotions and your attitude towards your job and see if your job is really the source of unhappiness.
Are you qualified to make the switch?
What you think of your skills and passions has little bearing on how the professional world will see you when it’s time to change careers. People who want to become first responders including doctors, nurses and paramedics will usually need to upskill.
For example, to provide life support and perform CPR in the middle of the pandemic, you’ll need to get certified and learn the latest methods in this field that reduces the risk of spreading the virus. Luckily, you can find online courses that can get you there, provided that you have the time and drive. The same goes for any other specialized field – carefully consider your qualifications and what you need to do to get there.
What are your chances after the pandemic?
Not all jobs are created equal. While nurses and paramedics will always be in demand, you should ask yourself if the position you’re aiming for has the same potential to outlive the pandemic.
For instance, social media management is and will be extremely popular, so if you can get the needed digital marketing skills in social media, you’ll be on your way to a profitable and rewarding career during and after the pandemic.
Can you handle the pressure of change?
In an attempt to leverage their skills, education, and experience, many people have decided to start their own business during the pandemic. To some, this might seem like lunacy, while to others, it has been an opportunity to contribute to relevant causes and have fun.
However, as much as you may enjoy an activity, will you be able to derive the same pleasure from that activity once it becomes your source of survival and income? The added pressure can change how you perceive a hobby once it becomes your profession. As appealing as it may be to make the switch to entrepreneurship, ask yourself if you are ready to embrace everything that this change will bring.
Can you manage the change financially?
So you’ve decided on requalifying and making a career change. Have you considered the overall cost of the process? Few people will land a new role immediately after they resign from their old position, especially during a pandemic. That time might double or triple if you need to invest in education before you apply for a new position.
Make sure that you have enough savings to live comfortably and provide for your family during the transition. Check if you have enough resources to cover your education if you want to qualify for a new field of work. And above all, make sure that your career change will justify all these expenses in the long run.
From ensuring your family’s financial security as well as your own, all the way to bringing joy into your life through meaningful work, changing careers during the pandemic isn’t impossible. Sometimes it can be precisely what you need to forge a more fulfilling existence in these uncertain times. You will need to take a strategic approach in order to succeed. Consider these questions, answer them honestly, and then evaluate if it’s time for a change.
“The opinions expressed by BizWitty Contributors are their own, not those of BizCover and should not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice. Please read our full disclaimer."
