Many still choose on the basis of what sounds familiar, or what will guarantee secure employment, as opposed to what one would be good at and enjoy.
Without a crystal ball, it's hard to know what one would be good at or even what one would enjoy in adulthood: between the ages of 16 and 19, when career interests are generally declared, one can't possibly know what one's strengths and interests are.
Even if they did, people grow in different directions. So what may have been the flavour of one's youth may fade with age and experience. In my day, many just did what their parents expected and went into the traditionally respectable professions, primarily teaching, accountancy, medicine and law.
Others, in direct defiance of parental expectation, selected careers that initially appeared interesting and viable, but in time proved to be dead-end options.
Those depending on bursaries were obliged to select a course from the list already approved by the sponsor. Those with lower grades (or less access to resources) simply took whatever was available to them. And back then, before the advent of the VTC type of facilities, there was not a whole lot to choose from: dressmaking, bookkeeping, office procedures and maybe auto mechanics. Oh, let's not forget law enforcement agencies. And that was that.
Thankfully, a lot has changed. Yet everything remains the same. People are still choosing career paths when they barely know themselves, and, based on my experience and observation, by the time people reach their mid-thirties, a voice at the back of some minds starts with, 'Do I hate this job, or is it just the company? Or, 'Do I really want to do this?' And so on.
Even the allure of large pay packets and other prestigious benefits will not silence the questions. There are those who decide to just live with their career choices in spite of their growing dissatisfaction. But for those of us who are willing to acknowledge our frustration, there is always the option of changing careers.
Well, by the time a person starts to question his career choice, it is not usually about the money. The people who speak to me about these issues frequently cite a lack of personal fulfilment and challenge above any other reason for seeking change.
There are various underlying reasons that could lead one to feelings of discontent, and they all need to be investigated before one switches from one field to another:
Fatigue and Burn-Out: There are people out there who barely take leave, or are simply overworked, and possibly misdiagnose their fatigue as disinterest in their work.
Working Environment: Maybe there are some factors (or people) who are making your job, in that particular environment, a nightmare...in which case, your restlessness could just be an indictor that you should change employers.
General Boredom: It could be that whatever it is you are yearning for could be provided by more involvement in other activities outside work. Maybe if you read more, join a choir, take up a new hobby.
General Drought: You know, our lives experience seasonal changes just like the places we live in. So, you may just be going through a particularly dry period where nothing seems to have any meaning or value.
At times like these, you are likely to scrutinise and question everything. I've heard that people experiencing menopause have felt like this, so maybe it could just be that.
Of course, if after all this reflection you still find that you want to change your career, then accept the situation. Embrace it.
The reason I say this is that many times, we come to these profound realisations that we are at a crossroads in our lives, and instead of just making a decision and standing by it, we canvass for comments and approval from family and friends. We need to face up to the fact that very few will understand why we want to change careers when we are 'so successful' and 'so established'.
Unfortunately, changing direction is one of those things in life that only the concerned individual can decide on.
Ironically, people who are considering this already have commitments: dependant parents, dependant children, spouses, housing and vehicle loans. So this sort of decision, although it cannot be understood or necessarily endorsed by others, does affect other lives.
Will you risk your marriage or your credit rating for this? Are you prepared for the possibility of financial strain and a lot of compromising/sacrificing during the time of transition and afterwards, when you are trying to enter your new industry?
Even if you are successful, you will have to earn your stripes before you start to make the cash. So even if you are saying it's more about personal fulfilment, there won't be very much of that if you can't pay your bills.
Typical of change, there are more questions than answers, and yet despite that, I'd wholeheartedly encourage anyone to follow their heart. A miserable career is not unlike a miserable marriage.
You can't talk openly about either without appearing indiscreet, disloyal and frivolous, and yet you can't hide the frustration and sadness that echo in all your actions and utterances.
Just be sensible about it. Instead of romanticising the change, find out more, objectively, about your new field of interest.
Can't you groom yourself for it on a part-time basis while you keep your current job? Can't you get some sponsorship? Do you have enough savings? Satisfied with all the answers? Then go for it with all your heart.
Shameela Winston is a human resource consultant in private practice. She is available to readers on [email protected]
