2016 is finally here and it’s going to be big. The Gotthard Base Tunnel – the longest and deepest in the world – is set to open in June. The FAST telescope is set to be the world’s largest radio telescope in September. The US presidential elections are expected to see a record campaign spending of $10 billion.
What have you got planned?
Eat more greens? Stop biting your nails? Stay in touch with all your friends?
It’s time to think bigger.
Changing jobs is undoubtedly a stressful experience – it ranks at 36 ‘life change units’ on the Holmes and Rahe stress scale in between ‘a change in frequency of arguments with your partner’ and ‘death of a close friend’. That being said, half of all UK workers want to change careers and are unhappy with their jobs. So, something’s got to give.
The start of the year, and especially one with such Brobdingnagian proportions as 2016, is a great time for big change. The sense of newness and potential can help to overcome the stress and anxiety that usually accompanies a new job search. Plus, seeing as its 2016, why stop at changing jobs, why not change career?
While some people will not want to abandon a career that they love, many may see this as the perfect opportunity to make the leap into a new line of work. This can give you a renewed sense of purpose and direction in an industry or sector that you have a personal; investment in. If you decide that you have had enough – you have a number of options available to you.
Move sideways
No, this does not refer to the 2004 hit Paul Giamatti film, although going on a wine-tasting tour may not be a bad idea anyway. Organisations are so expectant of employees wanting progression that moving to a similar job in a brand new industry has never been easier. You are likely to be more experienced, qualified, and prepared than the other applicants who will probably be angling for a promotion. If you like what you do, just not who you do it for, this can be a great option.
Start your own business
A risky move, for sure, but there are few people that don’t dream about being their own boss, working to their own schedule, and taking home the whole profit. The problem though is that you need an idea. If you lack one of those you may end up just doing your old job but without any of the benefits, stability, or colleagues! If you have an idea you trust, and the drive to see it realised, don’t let the Holmes and Rahe scale hold you back: start by starting.
Retrain in a sector you care about
If money is not a major concern right now, and you have enough time to devote to it, retraining in a new line of work can be a rewarding and life-changing decision. It’s not uncommon for people disillusioned with their job to move into traditionally altruistic careers like nursing, teaching, or charity work. Beware though, that although this work can be more rewarding, it certainly is just as stressful, competitive, and consuming as a city-job.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you are trading in a ‘real’ job for a ‘moral’ contribution – you’ll be in for a big surprise. That being said, if you are ready to commit to one of these careers, there are lots of training options. Some recruitment consultancies, like edustaff, even offer train-on-the-job routes into primary and secondary teaching jobs.
So don’t be left behind this New Year; make sure you take the opportunities in front of you and be as happy as you can be!
