Career Risks To Take Now!

Times are changing and so are careers. Now’s the time to take risks that’ll secure your future.

- Ayanda Nkonyana

Back in the day, having a career meant a lifelong relationship with a company. The latest career studies have found, however, that jobs are undergoing big shifts – entire career fields are disappearing or morphing into something new as technology advances, forcing workers to consider changing careers. With South Africa formally in recession, the latest employment figures released by Statistics South Africa are also not helping. Our unemployment rate has risen to 27,7%.

So what now? Sometimes taking risks can help you reach your ultimate goal. In fact, taking a chance and exploring the unknown could be just the thing you need. Some people are natural risk takers. They aren’t afraid to start a business, accept a job in a different city or even go back to studying full time. For others, the fear of the unknown and the many responsibilities they have hold them back. Change is scary. Wanting to pursue a new career or start a business is frightening. According to research by telecommunications giant Vodafone, people aged between 31 and 35 are the most unhappy at work. “They feel undervalued, unfulfilled and demotivated. They experience mid-career blues, thinking of career change more often than others but still worrying if it’s worth making a change,” the research reveals. Morever, research done by Elizabeth Brown, the author of Working Successfully with Screwed-up People, one in four workers has been with their current employer for less than a year. This means more employees are now working on a contract, freelance or part-time basis either because companies are cutting costs or they’re likely looking for a new challenge. Do you feel stuck or you’re itching for change?

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