There is a phase when people try to figure out what they really want to do long-term. In this phase, the trigger could be gaining enough experience in many areas and looking to focus on a particular specialisation or a dissatisfaction with the status quo and looking for new opportunities.
If you’re at these crossroads, you need to consider your triggers as much as the next steps. Because your actions are likely to be influenced with what you want to change as much as what you desire. And be careful, early career stages can be confusing, and the decisions made then are critical to your future success.
Here are a few points to keep in mind.
Job frustration
Are you disappointed with your job? Are you looking for a job change? If the answer is yes to either of these questions or both, your solution is in finding a new job that you enjoy more rather than jumping into a new career altogether.
Early on in your career, you will have to do many tasks that may not be the most enjoyable part of your job. But knowing many of the steps that are relevant to your job and getting experience with others do outweigh any negative feelings that you might have regarding having to complete these tasks.
Having said that, if your satisfaction with your job is minimal or you hardly feel you’re in the right place, it is time to change course. Take a hard look at why you don’t enjoy the job, you could be totally in the wrong career.
Generalisation
Some people feel good about being jack of all trades. Having your hands in many areas early on makes you more valuable to the organisation and help you get exposure to various tasks and teams. But sometime this generalisation also dilutes your success. If you’re a newcomer, you’re less likely to get involved in leadership role, and your various endeavours may not seem as significant as those who are focused on one area.
Although this situation may be initially frustrating, you need to ask yourself what you actually enjoy doing. Some people are happiest when they excel in one particular area; others like the opportunity to contribute to various aspects of a bigger picture. What will determine your long-term satisfaction is your ability to decide on what you enjoy doing.
Better vision
It takes a while in the professional world to come up with a refined idea of what you want to do. Experiencing a job can change your initial perception of what the job involves — to the better or the worse. So if you find yourself wondering if you want to do this job in the long run or not, you might be a the right place to reconsider.
Having enough information to judge a job is essential, and if your questioning is triggered by newly acquired information, be prepared to take action. But be realistic about the challenges that come with each and every job. If you’re not sure whether your change of heart is because of difficulties or actual mismatch in your choice and your aspiration, talk to mentors. People who have experience in your field should be able to answer questions and guide you.
Early career stages are the time to find what you really aspire to do and get started there, however. So don’t stick with something that doesn’t pay you off professionally just because you began there. In addition, the less investment you put in particular career, the easier it is to jump ship. Enjoy the flexibility of trying new things until you find your dream career.
The writer, a former Gulf News Business Features Editor, is a Seattle-based editor.
Figure out what you want to do
Think of the causes of your frustration
Early career can be challenging
Understand how much specialisation you like
Use information to drive decisions
— R.O.
