Career Change for 20‑Somethings

Remember choosing a career in high school?

You followed the advice: “Pick something sensible” or maybe you were advised " A Government job is the way to go" or "Do a trade now and make money young."

So, off you went and you studied IT, teaching, sales, marketing, legal, nursing, accounting or whatever the relevant qualification was, finished your studies, and started working.

The problem is you are also told to find your passion, to work hard for a job that makes you feel fulfilled, and to build a career that feels meaningful.

Then, somewhere in your mid-late 20s, something clicked and you realised the job you thought you would love feels wrong, boring, exhausting or most importantly just not you.

And now, you’re stuck thinking:

• “I love everything in life except my job"

• “What if I made a huge mistake?"

• “Can I really change direction now and pivot to something else?"

You may have also been told when you started talking to family or friends about how much your career is really not working out to just put up with it, it may get better, you need to earn money, you can't change your career now.

The positive aspect is that you are not alone, and you are certainly not failing. Realistically the likelihood of selecting a career you will love at the age of 16, one that you'll continue to love for 50 years is possible but not that common.

Some people are lucky and do but they are an exception, it is like those lucky people who find love at high school and are married to their childhood sweetheart for life. Not impossible but it can happen.

I have been seeing an increase in exactly this situation i.e. young people under 30 and thinking how am I going to keep doing this for 40 years. I work with them to explore who are they now, what transferrable skills or education would be a smooth transition into other career paths and what fits them now not 10-15 years ago when they made their original career choice.

I Often Hear from young people all over Australia now:

• “Will switching ruin my resume?”

• Can I keep earning while I try something else?”

• "What if I make another choice but hate it all over again?”

These are valid questions which we work through and really every person is different, but the end result is what counts. I really encourage people in these situations to at least have a look around, don't make any snap decisions just weigh up possibilities. The fact is if people are going to make a career pivot, the younger they are the better as generally opportunities are greater.

If all this resonates with you or someone you know, I am here to help and I have 1 of my 6 career services designated to guiding people through exactly this situation. For more information, please have a look at my website and feel free to contact me via any options provided below for a free obligation chat.

Kind Regards

David

📧 davidking@kingscareercoaching.com.au

📞 Call or text: 0429 124 162

🌐 Or contact me through my website: www.kingscareercoaching.com.au🗓️