Are you finding yourself counting down until the end of your workday? Or are you always feeling a sense of dread every Sunday evening as the start of another workweek approaches? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. According to recent studies, a staggering 85% of people worldwide are dissatisfied with their jobs. This can stem from various factors, such as lack of passion, limited growth opportunities, or simply feeling unfulfilled in their current roles.
As such, many professionals find themselves at a crossroads, contemplating whether it’s time to make a career change. Fortunately, embarking on a career change is not only common but it is also a valid option for those seeking greater fulfillment and satisfaction in their professional lives.
In this blog, we will explore some signs it might be time to make a career change. We’ll also discuss why the IT industry is your best bet for a successful transition.
Signs It's Time for a Career Change
1. You Lack Passion and Motivation for Your Work
If you find yourself procrastinating or avoiding challenging tasks or have lost interest in projects that once excited you, you might be experiencing a lack of passion for your current role.
Feeling this way can have far-reaching effects on various aspects of your life. When you find yourself bored, indifferent, or resentful of your job, this can impact not only your relationships and overall well-being. For starters, losing passion in your job can negatively impact your work performance. Tasks that were once exciting for you may now feel mundane, leading to decreased productivity and quality of work. This can strain relationships with your colleagues and supervisors as your disengagement becomes apparent in team dynamics and collaboration efforts.
Mentally checking out during the workweek can also spill over into your personal life, affecting your mood, energy levels, and overall satisfaction. Your constant dread can even take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.
2. There’s No Room for Growth and Development
Your career satisfaction and growth depend on having opportunities to advance and develop your potential. If you feel stuck, stagnant, or underappreciated in your current role, it can affect your income and happiness. One common reason for feeling this way is having limited room for growth in your current career.
For instance, you may feel that your current company or industry doesn’t offer plenty of chances for growth. You may work hard and contribute a lot, but still miss out on promotions, raises, or challenging projects. This can make you feel frustrated and disillusioned.
Additionally, feeling unappreciated or undervalued in your role can make you feel stagnant. If your work goes unnoticed or unrewarded, it can lower your morale and motivation to excel in your job.
To recognize this sign, examine your career path and see if you face constant obstacles or limitations. Do you feel like you have stopped growing and learning professionally? Do you have clear options for moving up in your organisation, or do you always get ignored for new roles or tasks? These could be signs that your current career does not offer you any room for growth.
3. You Don’t Align with Your Company’s Culture or Values
Feeling disconnected, conflicted, or alienated from your company's culture and values can significantly impact your overall happiness and satisfaction in your job. When there is a misalignment between your personal values and those upheld by your organisation, it can erode trust, loyalty, and ultimately, your sense of fulfillment in your role.
Disconnection from your company's culture can manifest in various ways. For one, you might find it challenging to engage with your colleagues or connect with the company's goals and objectives. Additionally, if there is a lack of transparency or communication from leadership regarding important decisions or changes within the organisation, it can further contribute to feelings of alienation.
Additionally, feeling misaligned with your company's values can lead to a sense of moral or ethical dilemma. If you find yourself compromising your own values or beliefs to fit into the company culture, it can create internal conflict and diminish your overall job satisfaction.
4. You experience stress, burnout, or health issues
There’s a popular saying that goes, “health is wealth,” and when considering your career, this couldn’t be any more relevant. If your find yourself constantly stressed, feeling burnt out, or dealing with physical and mental health issues due to your job, it might be ideal to reevaluate your career path.
This is because when stress and burnout become a regular companion in your work life, your relationships, hobbies, and overall well-being can take a toll. For instance, you may suffer from sleep disturbances, cardiovascular issues, anxiety, and depression. You may also lose your passion and drive for your career, leaving you feeling empty and depleted.
Dreaming of Shifting to a Career in IT?
Transitioning to a career that aligns with your passions and interests can reignite your motivation and enthusiasm for work. By pursuing something you truly care about, enjoy, or excel at, you can rediscover a sense of purpose and fulfillment in your professional life.
If you’ve been contemplating a shift towards the IT industry, now is the best time to do so. Here are four reasons why:
1. IT Professionals are Currently in High Demand
As many businesses embrace digital transformation initiatives to stay competitive in today’s market, the demand for skilled IT professionals continues to increase. From small businesses to large enterprises, companies are realizing the importance of leveraging technology to streamline operations, drive innovation, and enhance customer experience.
To meet this demand, Australian Government and the Australian tech sector have a shared goal to create 1.2 million tech jobs in Australia by 2030. This growth in IT jobs is fueled by the need for experts in the fields of cyber security, cloud computing, software development, artificial intelligence, and data analytics.
2. Diverse Career Paths and Specialisations
The IT industry offers a wide range of career paths and specialisations to suit various interests and skill sets. Whether you’re passionate about coding, cyber security, data analytics, or project management, there’s something that aligns with your goals. This diversity enables people to explore different roles and forge a career path that suits their strengths and preferences.
3. Better Pay
IT professionals are some of the highest earners in Australia. For instance, cyber security analysts earn an average of $120,000 annually. Meanwhile, network support specialists make about $100,000 per year. Project managers also earn well above the national average, with a median salary of $145,000 yearly. This makes IT a lucrative and attractive career option for many people.
4. Better Flexibility
The IT industry often offers more flexibility than traditional career paths, as many companies prioritise results over rigid schedules. This allows IT professionals to enjoy a better work-life balance, with options for remote work and flexible hours to accommodate personal needs and other interests.
Ready to Jumpstart Your Career in IT?
If you’ve decided to start a career in IT, you need to take the appropriate course to learn the skills and knowledge required for your chosen IT field.
Lumify Learn offers various boot camp, diploma, and certificate courses in the following areas:
All classes are conducted online, so you can easily balance your studies with your work and personal commitments. Our expert trainers and mentors will tirelessly teach you everything you need to learn, ensuring that you acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for your IT career. And once you graduate, we will even help you connect with employers looking to hire IT professionals through our Lumify Edge program.
Don’t miss out on what an IT career has to offer. Enquire with us on a course today.