30’s career crisis

You’ve hit that point in your life or career and you’re wondering “what am I doing with my career?” Other things in life may or may not be figured out, but you’ve realized that YOUR identity is your career. Its what you do more than anything else. Its where you spend more time than anywhere else. You’ve realized that you’ve got to make your career the most enjoyable thing you do for the next 10,20, 30 years.

So why the crisis? Have you realized that what you’re doing isn’t what you enjoy? Do you find that you’re often spending time doing other things during your work day? Do you find yourself finding other projects at work that you enjoy more?

Let’s take a step back. What is it that you like to do? What makes you the most happy? Where do you feel the most full-filled?

Now, let’s be realistic. Your in your 30’s. If your looking at a complete career change, is that realistically achievable?

To give more context, here’s my story.

In my 20’s I spent a lot of my life traveling the world and dreaming of where my next trip would be. Funds were much more limited then — but what I realized during many of those solo travel journeys was that my life wasn’t ful-filled. That I wanted to figure out a way to work in the developing world. That I can make anywhere home, and that I am very adaptable to any situation. When that realization came to, I immediately thought, I need to go to grad school and I need to make a career change.

So, I spent many weeks and months researching a university that did a degree in international development, then International business, then 3 year programs, then the peace corp & free university program. I had lists and printed applications, and went through that motion. But something wasn’t right.

A wise man who’s now my boss (but at the time was my bosses boss) told me that you’re really good at what you do, and your in a position that pays well. You also seem like you love what you do. Why don’t you either wait until you’re closer to retirement to give back or why don’t you see if you can do something on the side.

In your late 20’s you really think you know everything. You think that you can conquer the world, and the best part is your free. But sometimes, you need someone much wiser to give you some real advice. Some advice that I am still thankful for this day.

As you can imagine that was the beginning to the end of my research for grad schools. I decided that I was going to stay in my line of work. I mean I honestly loved what I did. I am lucky for that.

I didn’t know the economy was going to crash and what was a visit to Madagascar to see my sister turned into a 9 month journey on the African continent. A place that always holds my heart and has made me appreciate life to its fullest. After this journey I returned home and found an organization to volunteer for — after 2 years of volunteering- I joined their board. It was my first board role and I was honored and fortunate to be able to give back to the African continent from where I called home. This gave me the opportunity to live my dreams, ful-fill my heart and love for the continent while still working in the line of work that I thoroughly enjoyed.

10 years later, and now in mid 30’s. I’m extremely grateful, thankful and lucky to be doing what I do and working at my dream company. I’m now using both my career and my passion in one. I am forever fortunate that I was able to blend both my career and my passion in one, and I know that not everyone will get to do this in their lifetime.

Final words: If there’s a way to continue your career — and meet your passionate goals on the side or look at changing careers when you retire — that’s what I recommend. Disclaimer: I know plenty of people that are happy they went to grad school and changed careers — and many that honestly do what they did before grad school, because they realized that’s what they loved the most.