The average American will spend about one-third of their life at work. That’s why finding a fulfilling career is important for many people. But if your job feels stagnant, you might not enjoy going to work every day.
If you’ve reached a plateau in your career, you’re not alone. Nearly half of Americans feel their career has stalled. But before you change jobs, you might want to consider some other options.
First: Figure out what’s bothering you. Is it the company, the industry itself, or maybe your daily tasks that aren’t cutting it? If you’re itching to try something different, talk to your supervisor. Tell them you’re ready to take on more responsibilities and outline exactly what those are.
If you want to expand your skill set, you might want to consider training or education opportunities. Getting an advanced degree might be one option, or you might want to join a professional organization.
Also, finding a mentor can help you grow professionally. If you’re older and set in your ways, you might want to try a reverse mentor. That’s a younger professional who can fill you in on industry news and technology.
Also, a career counseling service might help you figure out exactly what you need to feel fulfilled. And if you’re still feeling stagnant, it might be time to look for another job.
It’s also important to establish short and long-term career goals to work toward. Online tools like O*NET, which is sponsored by the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration, help you research different occupations and identify careers that align with your interests and skills.