This career myth is a big one. A lot (and I mean a lot) of people think that changing careers, no matter at what age, whether they’re right out of college or in their 50s, is too risky a move. They think changing careers is for other people, not them. (Sound familiar yet?)

For this blog post, we’re tackling this falsehood on its own rather than sharing it with another myth because it’s really several misconceptions rolled up into one. 

(Catch up on other preconceived notions people have that end up holding them back: 

• #1: You should use only job sites to get the job you want
• #2: You can’t make a living doing what you love and #3: There’s a perfect job out there for everyone
• #4: If you don’t like your job, you’re probably in the wrong career and #5: Ignoring your career dissatisfaction will make it go away.)

Of course while there is some risk in change, I hope to show you that (1) the risks aren’t what you think they are, (2) there are less actual risks than you think, and (3) not changing jobs or careers also comes with its own, potentially worse risks.

Myth #6: Changing careers is risky. 

Identity crisis—Some clients worry that if they change their careers, they’ll lose their identity. But this is founded on a flawed argument. Your identity isn’t marketing manager. That’s too specific and limiting—we are complex creatures after all. So if you hold this fear, try describing the type of person you are and aim to uphold: You’re a person who connects people to a common goal and focuses on interpersonal relationships. So now if you switch from marketing manager to human resources, you won’t have an identity crisis. 

Making a mistake—Some people believe that switching careers means admitting they’ve made a huge mistake. That could be in the form of “I’ve failed at IT” or “I chose the wrong field back in 2001.” Or they could fear that other people will think that about them. But again, this is based on flawed logic. You didn’t fail or make a mistake; you saw the truth of the situation, which is that this job doesn’t fit the present you anymore. Your previous career was great (or good) for you then, it gave you what you needed, and now you’re ready to move on to the next thing. And as for caring what other people think, don’t. They are not you, and they don’t get to have a say in how you live your life. And they certainly don’t get to hold you back from making yourself happy.

The REAL risk—We tend to think that with change comes great risk, but more often, the opposite is true. By staying stationary and hoping for a promotion that hasn’t appeared or wishing that your manager would stop micromanaging, we rob ourselves of forward-moving energies. The longing you feel to be somewhere else can’t be wished away. Something needs to be done to alleviate it, whether you volunteer in the meantime, find an outlet, or yes, make the jump to a new job, organization, or career.

Wait til I have a plan—We want to minimize the risk as much as possible. A laudable goal, of course, but there is such a thing as waiting too long. In Working Identity: How Successful Career Changers Turn Fantasy into Reality, Herminia Ibarra explains that waiting until you have a flushed-out plan is actually riskier than just doing and experimenting. 

Next time I’ll look at the myths surrounding needing a backup plan and waiting for a career epiphany. If you are uncertain about an aspect of career journeys, big or small, let me know and I’ll write about it! You can find me on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. 

I’m Stacey Lane: Career Coach | Transition & Career Strategist | Personal Brand Specialist

I help individuals with unique backgrounds find their perfect fit and effectively market themselves so they find work that is as interesting as they are.

Contact me to get started!