National Careers Week: How to know if your career is right for you

Do you enjoy your work? Or do you look at others with envy? I've got some tips for National Careers Week to help you decide if your career is right for you.

March 3rd to March 8th is National Careers Week in the United Kingdom. This means there's a whole week dedicated to promoting career guidance.

Throughout our early education, we're taught to start thinking about what we want our lives to look like when we grow up. To think about what job we would like.

Students need to start thinking about their future careers if they want to go into medicine, the creative arts, or some field/industry that requires specific subjects.

I used to want to be a doctor. I bought myself a medical encyclopaedia, attended an aspiring doctors event at UCL, and even received a surgeon's hat, gloves, and mask from my surgeon when I was in hospital.

However, I soon realised that while I loved helping people and bringing them joy, being a doctor wasn't the right career for me. After the pandemic, I tried my hand at journalism.

I've always loved writing (hence the blog), and the years I spent as a journalist were amazing. My skill set grew immensely, as did my network and my confidence. I wrote articles for different industries, from fashion to motorsport, but it wasn't until recently that I made another career decision.

Journalism, while I loved it, wasn't my end goal. Instead, I knew I wanted to work with books and one day, hopefully, publish my novel.

But how did I know that these previous careers weren't for me? What made me decide to change course?

Below are some tips that I think are useful in helping one determine if a career or industry is right for them. These aren't industry-specific; they can be applied to any career path and any person.

Passion, Passion, Passion

One piece of advice that I live by is that if you don't enjoy your work, if you don't have a passion for what you're doing, why are you doing it?

Now, I know that sometimes it's not that easy because if you have responsibilities, such as a family, mortgage, etc., then it's not easy to change jobs.

But, if you have a passion for it, it makes working a whole lot more enjoyable. You don't have to enjoy every aspect of your job — I don't think anybody does — but if you are passionate about what you do, that's a good indicator you're on the right path.

Structure vs Flexibility

Freelance vs corporate. That is the question.

When it comes to getting a job, there are lots of things to consider. For example, does the position require shift work, or is it a strict 9-5? Are you able to take holiday when you want it, or are there specific periods you're not allowed?

Every person is different in what they would like to get out of a job. Some prefer the structure of a 9-5 job, knowing that they'll work specific hours and can leave their work alone in the evenings or at weekends.

However, some people prefer the flexibility of setting their hours, working to their schedule and being able to take time off when necessary if something pops up. And that's why they work freelance.

If you do have a preference over what method of work is better for you, think about what potential careers that could give you.

A balanced lifestyle

I am no stranger to burnout. In fact, I tend to get burnt out a lot more than I'd like, and it's because in the roles I was doing, I had too much to juggle and not enough hands to keep all the balls in the air.

When you're in the best job for you and on the best career path, you should be able to have a balanced lifestyle. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to maintain a work-life balance.

If you find yourself being swamped with work, feeling very tired and stressed, and not having enough time to take care of yourself, then think about whether what you're doing is the best choice.

Excitement or Sunday Scaries

There's often a feeling of dread for some people on a Sunday night before they have to go to work on Monday. This has been named the 'Sunday Scaries. '

If you're someone who experiences the Sunday Scaries before the start of the working week, it may be that the position you have isn't the ideal one for you.

However, if you're the opposite, and you find yourself getting excited about going to work and what lies ahead, that's a good indicator that your work inspires you and excites you.

Comfortable with the surroundings

The last bit of advice is one crucial to any industry and focuses more on the environment.

Whether you work 9-5, are a freelancer, or work in an office, one of the biggest factors that can impact your enjoyment is the environment you work in, particularly your colleagues.

If, in your job, you find yourself not feeling like you can be your true self and a bit uncomfortable, that's usually an indicator that it's not the best place for you. When you feel like this, it can also impact your performance and give you the Sunday Scaries, especially if you don't like where you work.

Sometimes, it is difficult to change the environment, but if you're not completely comfortable in your job, maybe reflect on the reasons why and if it's the job itself, or just the environment.

I hope these tips can help inform you whether or not your career is right for you. At the end of the day, it's up to you, and only you, to make the decision of what you want to do in life.

Don't chase the money, chase the enjoyment and the happiness you get from your work.

Until next time...