Career Risks That Are Worth Taking
If you are in a career that you no longer have any passion for…
If your career is at a dead-end…
If you aren’t earning as much money as you think you should be…
Then there are a couple of career risks that are worth taking. By taking calculated risks (we aren’t advocating anything poorly thought through), you stand a chance of getting what you need from your ideal job, renewing your passions, and earning the money you feel you deserve.
Consider the following as worthy examples.
Risk going back into education
This isn’t an easy decision to make, as there are both financial and time commitments. Especially when already working full-time, and if you have a family to manage and support, then this might be a risk you neglect taking. However, if you need to learn new skills for a promotion, and if you want to change career at some point in your life, then you need to weigh up the risk involved. Going back to school might be just what you need to do to move forward in your life.
To reduce the risk factor, you might consider taking a course online. As an example, you might have the flexibility to take this MSW class online, while still working and raising a family. You might also consider these tips on balancing your work and family life while studying. And in terms of finances, your employer might fund your course if they think your added skills will benefit their company, although you might also be eligible for financial aid, so contact your local college for further advice.
Risk leaving your career and starting your own business
You might consider leaving the rat race altogether by leaving the familiarity of your work environment to set yourself up with a business. There are financial risks, of course. You aren’t guaranteed to make a profit, and if statistics are to be believed, there is a chance of failure. However, surely the risk is one worth taking, especially if you already have a business idea in mind, and if your current job isn’t exciting you anymore. Starting your own business could be the thing you need to do, as while there will be challenges, you might still find it more personally rewarding than what you are doing presently.
To reduce the risk factor, you might not want to give up your day job just yet. You can still start a business at home, working at it in your downtime when your energy levels allow. When you start to gain confidence, and when you start to make a profit, you might then decide to take the ultimate risk, resigning from your job to continue working on your business full-time. There is further advice here which might prove useful to you.
We have highlighted two career risks, both of which should be considered provided you have specific goals in mind, and that you have weighed up the pros and cons for your life. They are both worth taking, but only consider them if they are relevant to you. The last thing you want to do is screw up your current job role, but if you are dissatisfied in any way, then you might consider one or both of these risks a priority.