It's Never Too Late to opt For the Career of Your Choice

Source: careervision.org

The Education System forces teenagers who are barely 16 years of age to make a life-changing decision, a decision to choose their career fields, future career prospects. It is ironic how 16-year olds are considered “too young” to drink, date and even drive in a lot of countries (including India) but are deemed old enough to choose their careers. Additionally, in countries like India where parents consider themselves to be in- charge of their children’s lives, the career choice is often made by the parents and sometimes against the wishes of the child. Even if the child has full freedom and makes the choice himself or herself this choice is often a primary cause of stress and anxiety. 

In such a scenario, being happy with our career choices later in life appears to be an uncertainty. There is no guarantee that the choice made when the individual was still getting to know himself would be desirable 20- 30 years down the line. One should wonder why someone’s choice to change his/ her career after his 20s comes as a surprise. Our system is built in a way that can lead to unhappiness with one’s career eventually in life and this is not restricted to any particular stream of studies. 

A study called “Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Employees Mental Health” conducted on employees of two industrial companies in the city of Ardabil concluded that, 

Our study results showed that the overall index of psychological health, social functioning and depression, have a relatively strong negative correlation with job satisfaction. Our result showed there is a relatively weak but significant negative correlation between anxiety and job satisfaction. (2013) 

Hence, considering a change of career will be a positive factor for your mental health and here is why you should take the leap: 

1) Better Late than Sorry 

It is better to make the change when the dissatisfaction with your job first hits you. Giving in to ageism would not only prolong the stress, anxiety and continual dilemma but not making the change would only lead to regret later in life. 

You would be stuck in a loop of “what if” and the only way to get out of this loop is to actually get out of it.  

2) Maturity 

The individual should take comfort in the fact that he/ she is far more mature than when he was first asked to make a career choice in school. If you could make a jump off a cliff then, now you have a better chance of landing on a safety net. 

3) Experience 

You may think of a number of reasons that would convinve you about not making the change, including, the “hire- ability” factor, it is important to note that age also gives you the advantage of experience. Even if in a different field, working in a professional work environment itself takes years to get used to.  

You also have more connections as compared to when you first started out fresh out of university, a larger circle of connections will enable to make a more informed choice by speaking to people who made a similar decision, or just people who could inform you about your prospective field. 

4) There is no right time 

Contrary to what a lot of people believe, there is no right time to find your footing and start. It is true that being older brings with it a number of additional responsibilities as compared to when you first started out, but having a support group, who can help you through the transition, can actually reduce the pressure considerably. 

It is possible that your new field is diametrically opposite to your current field, and there is a chance that when you go to classes to learn, the students there are much younger, which can be demotivating, but you should always remember that in the future, you will be able to work in a field that actually interests you and that you will be able to excel in it because you would be good at what you do.     

5) Life is a Gamble! 

You Live Only Once! and whatever you do in this life is after all a gamble, from the tiniest choice of ordering from a new restaurant to making life- changing decisions like moving to a new country. You can never know if your decision is right or wrong unless you actually make it. 

There are always going to be people who pull you down, but it is your responsibility to find the right inspiration and have faith in yourself. 

Here is a list of people who prove that it’s never too late to start! 

1.Boman Irani 

Professor Asthana in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. or Virus in 3 Idiots other than Boman Irani. The man who seems perfect in every role he plays on screen made his Bollywood debut at 44. (scoopwhoop.com)

Source: myodia.org 

2) Naseeruddin Shah 

This unbeatable and talented actor and has made a prominent mark in Bollywood today. His glorious career includes hundreds of films, but his welcome into mainstream Indian cinema was the movie Hum Paanch at the age of 40. (scoopwhoop.com) 

Source: myodia.org 

3) Kirron Kher 

A cherished name in the film industry today, it wasn't until she was 41 that she starred in the national award-winning movie Sardari Begum that she became a star. Since then, she has played dynamic characters that we all love. (scoopwhoop.com) 

Source: wp.com 

4) Vera Wang  

The world-famous designer entered the world of fashion at the age of 40 with her independent bridal collection. Today her designs are donned by the elite and receive unrivaled appreciation everywhere. (scoopwhoop.com) 

Source: bankrate.com

5) Harland Sanders 

Fondly remembered as Colonel Sanders, he was 62 when he founded Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1952. He made the franchise worth millions and today it's among the largest restaurants chains. (scoopwhoop.com) 

Source: bankrate.com 

6) Morgan Freeman 

Hollywood wouldn't be the same without this amazing actor with a characteristic baritone. But it wasn't until the movie Driving Miss Daisy at the age of 52 that Freeman received his superstar stature. (scoopwhoop.com) 

Source: thedailybeast.com

References 

Nadinloyi KB, Sadeghi H, Hajloo N. Relationship between job satisfaction and employees mental health. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2013;84:293–297. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.554 . [Google Scholar] 

Chowdhury, R. R. (2017, November 14). 20 People Who Found Fame After 40 Proving Success Has No Deadline. Retrieved July 14, 2019, from https://www.google.co.in/amp/s/www.scoopwhoop.com/amp/finding-fame-after-40/