Growing up I never even knew there was a possibility to switch careers. All they shouted in our ears in elementary and secondary school was doctor, lawyer, pilot, engineer, accountant and the likes. With that, I never even believed there were reputable, career worthy jobs beyond those ones. I used to see them as the Holy Grail of careers.
Reality hit me when I stepped into the university. I started hearing about courses and career paths that sounded more like jokes than jobs. For some, I'd argue that the course is impossible until I go to look at them in the class being taught. Very crazy scenarios back then, anyway.
Now, my plan was to study Medicine and Surgery in the university but the Nigerian factor ruined that. So I was downgraded to Chemistry. I was initially a butt of jokes amidst my friends who took their time to ignorantly remind me that anyone that studies subject courses in school is most likely going to end up a subject teacher. Then I'd hastily tell them, "God forbid!" while they all bursted into laughter.
As I said, my friends ignorantly tagged my course of study. Despite that, those expensive jokes got me wondering. And, in truth, a lot of people that studied subject courses ended up becoming subject teachers in secondary schools. That terrified me a lot and bolted me into action. Even before my final year I was already learning Oracle Database and SQL. I needed a backup in case I couldn't land a good job with my certificate.
If there's one thing anyone versed with the current age can say, it is that we are now in the era where career change is becoming rampant. Though people still stick to one career - especially those in very specialized ones like pilots, doctors and the likes - however, the current landscape and the increase in unemployment and job loss has necessitated career change. Heck, I even saw a doctor learning software development recently.
One of the advantages of sticking to one career is that it helps one to grow immeasurably in that line of work. But that depends a lot on the level of success one attains at a particular time. A 40 year old mechanical engineer who is still struggling to make ends meet will consider a change of career if a trusted person comes to talk him into a shorter, more profitable path. At 40, he wants money but still a bottom feeder. If he's offered a banking job as a teller, he will probably take it and ditch
engineering for banking.
The same thing goes for tech jobs, too. Though I don't have the correct figures, I'm very sure about 70% of people in tech now didn't study computer related courses in school. At least that's about right for tech enthusiasts around here. Out of those about 70%, I'm pretty certain about 50% of them were already on a career path they found unprofitable to continue with.
In conclusion, despite maintaining an interest in succeeding as an Environmental Scientist, I've spent the last few years working as a transcriber, writer and reviewer. With that, you know where I stand as regards career change across a lifetime. If it's necessary to change a career path, do not hold back. Do your feasibility studies and make the switch. Shikena!
