Mr. Rachit Jain
Founder & CEO,Youth4Work

Starting your career is very much like going on a blind date. You know quickly where it is headed. It is a particularly cruel irony that most people end up sticking to it even if they don’t like it. Fear, the need for security, and the crushing belief that may be this is their real worth are just a few of the factors that prevent many people from considering a career shift. However, an increasing number of millennials are not afraid to call it a day. Let us take a look at some of the major reasons why youngsters change their careers

Hasty beginnings

There is an extraordinary amount of pressure on young people to score top grades and get into premier educational institutions. It is systemic and it has become an integral part of our societal fabric. In the hustle and bustle of academic pressure, they are offered no time to hone their skills, and review their options. The counselling support system can be both a boon and a bane. While it helps a small section of the student population gain clarity on their future path, more often than not they are bombarded with so many options that they end up picking the wrong option. This leads them to pick the wrong courses and end up in the wrong jobs, which is detrimental to both them and their employers. Thankfully, a lot of millennial are waking up to the fact that not all is lost, and opt to hop out of their predicament by restarting their careers.

Shifting focus from interest to talent

Students are often advised to follow their dreams. As ideal as it sounds, it is practically unsustainable. Instead of taking up interests full time, they should focus on their talents. By choosing a career path that is in alignment with their strengths, they have a greater chance of succeeding professionally and devote their spare time to things that interest them. This is something that a lot of youngsters are picking up on, and they wisely choose to move on to greener pastures.

Lack of satisfaction

Job satisfaction is one of the biggest predictors of overall satisfaction. A lot of youngsters are stuck in a job they do not like, and it inevitably seeps into their personal life and compound their problems. There can be a number of reasons for the dissatisfaction, from long hours and work pressure to collegial feuds and tedious work. Work related stress is another major factor that motivates employees to leave their jobs. Whatever the reason might be, if you are not happy in your work environment, then it is high time to consider a change.

Monetary compensation

It should not come as a surprise that the lack of adequate monetary compensation is one of the biggest factors that causes people to switch to a more fruitful career. A study found that over 60 per cent of mid-level professionals move out of their jobs because they found a better paying job or a more flexible job option that allowed them to save more money. Employers should offer flexible job options because a generational shift in values also means that organisations have to adopt a work culture that is in line with their aspirations. Failing to do so will eventually be detrimental to both the organisations and their employees.