I’ve Been Stuck In The Wrong Career For 3½ Years, How Do I Get Unstuck?  

By Perminus Wainaina

Diane, (not her real name) has been one of my career coaching clients since last year, 2017. When I first met Diane, she was extremely dissatisfied with where she was in her career.

Even though she had studied Human Resource Management and pursued professional certification in the same field, she found herself working as an Admin in an NGO.

Diane expressed to me how difficulties in finding a job after campus had led to her to temporarily take up an Admin job in order to gain some work experience.

But what was meant to simply be a “temporary” job turned out to longer than expected. In those 3 and a half years she had worked as an admin, her roles had become monotonous and there was no more room for growth.

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When she did apply for jobs in HR, she noticed that she did not have any experienced in a field she was desperate to work in.

After a series of on-going and tailor-made career coaching sessions, we were able to come up with feasible solutions and create a strategic road map for her to transition into HR.

1 year later, Diane is now thriving as a HR Officer in one of the leading FMCG companies in Kenya. She is ecstatic that herb current profession is now in line with her passion.

Back to you, does Diane’s story relate to your own?

Have you for some time now been stuck in a career that no longer grows you, motivates you or challenges you?

Here are 3 indicators that you may be stuck in the wrong career:

  1. Your career does not utilize your key strengths

One of the common concerns I receive in my coaching sessions, is the feeling that you are being underutilized at work.

Your strengths are not put into good use. For instance, you may be very good and competent at report writing but your career does not offer you the opportunity to utilize such skills.

You often look at your colleagues in other departments and see them doing what you are passionate about and only wish you were part of them.

  1. You do not look forward to your job because you are demotivated

Every time you think about waking up and going to your job you almost feel sick. You wish you didn’t have to do it.

And if push comes to shove, you would not think twice about quitting.

Because your current career is not in line with your passion, you lack the motivation needed to excel and perform at your optimum best.

  1. You constantly speak ill of your job, your bosses and even colleagues

This is by far one of the greatest signs you should watch out for when you’re concerned about you career path.

If you have more negatives to talk about then positives in your career, then you are definitely in the wrong place.

Don’t misunderstand me, sometimes, you may be on the right career but a hostile environment.

But if you trash or speak ill of your profession in general and constantly express how you should have pursued a different course, then you are stuck in your career.

Having known these 3 indicators of being stuck in the wrong career, what steps do you need to take in order to get back on the right track?

  1. Become aware that you are stuck

One of the signs of emotionally intelligent people is their ability to be self-aware of their emotions.

Because of how frustrating and demotivating your job and career is, become self-aware of the fact that you are indeed stuck in the wrong profession.

Do not be dissuaded by how much the job pays or the titles you have. Accept that where you are in your career does not match what you really desire.

  1. See the help of a career mentor

It is said that no man is an island. The truth of this statement is undeniable. You need someone experienced and skilled to help you design a road map of transitioning into your ideal career.

Once you have become cognizant of the fact that you are stuck, the next step is to find a career mentor who will help you move forward by bringing out your strengths, career goals ann and offer a guideline to reaching the peak in your career.

  1. Explore your options and position yourself

With the help of your career coach and mentor, start exploring new options and ideas in which you can transition into doing what you love by positioning yourself.

Sometimes it’s as simple as starting with your current organization.

For instance, in your next staff meeting, propose to have some of your major strengths utilized in different departments.

Also, see which organizational objectives can be met by you putting into use your skills and strengths.

Additionally, start networking with people in the field you love. Attend events and trainings to grow your skills.

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The bottom line is this…

You should not have to work in a career that does not serve to make the very best out of your profession.

Your career should give you a reason to work, it should energize you and challenge you; not drain you.

And if you are stuck, remember there is help. Start taking the right steps for you and for your career.

Perminus Wainaina is the C.E.O and Managing Partner at Corporate Staffing Services, a leading HR consultancy firm based in Westlands. Through personalized career coaching he assists mid level and senior professionals get solutions to complex and challenging career issues that they are facing. Click here for more on career coaching.

16 Comments

  1. Hi,
    I am undergoing the same with Diane,i have degree in accounting with CPA K but am working as quality analyst and this have been stressing me alot since it is now 2 years down the line. I will appreciate your help

  2. Hi Samuel,
    As earlier highlighted in the post, your career should give you a reason to work, it should energise you and challenge you; not drain you. If you’ve been applying for jobs for 8 years with no positive outcome, then its advisable to change your method and do some evaluations as to why employers are not calling you for interviews. Could it be your CV, could lack of experience?
    Answers to these questions will be a good head start to getting better opportunities.

    Regards,
    Judith

  4. Hi Jane,
    Working in a different field of study derives your career of many things such as mentor-ship and even professional growth. With a CPA 5, finding a decent accounting job is very possible. You might want to do some evaluations as to why you’re not getting interviews at this point and act on that. If it’s experience, you can even volunteer for a while as long as you ensure that you have your eyes fixed on the ultimate goal.

    Regards,
    Judith

  6. Dear Kezziah,
    Different people have different personality types. It’s important to understand this.
    Hence, as an employee, learn your leader/Boss’ way of doing things and find a way to get a round that to avoid misunderstandings.
    As you said, you love your job, so keep your ‘A Game’ high avoiding such obstacles that may block your career progress in whichever way possible.

    Regards,
    Judith

  7. Hi Yvonne,
    Working in a different field of specialisation can in deed do a lot of disservice to your professional career in the long run. However, knowing how to manage your career well with the tips highlighted above will do the trick. You can also register your details in our database here for job opportunities in HR that we post daily.

    Regards,
    Judith

  8. I’m Jane and I have been working as a tutor for 4.5 years now. I have a MBA in finance, Bachelor
    of commerce- finance and CPA- Sec 5.I have tried to get an accounting or finance job but I haven’t been successful. I have even tried to search for an internship but nothing is coming on my way. I am really stressed and depressed because I feel I’m doing something that is not in me at all. I even sent my CV to career point kenya for editing 2.5 years ago so that it would may be land an accounting job but still nothing is coming on my way. I have been trying to send my documents to various companies that advertise at career point kenya but even securing an interview has been a challenge I have never received any invitation. Dear Perminus, I really need help because right now I feel like dropping my job because I feel that the institution I’m working for and more so doing a teaching job and being paid the same salary with diploma holders is really disgusting and demotivating. I will really appreciate any help accorded to me to at least help me go back to the right track.

    Regards,

    Jane

  9. i am shadrack my situation is like that of diane i have a diploma in business management and working on general duties for twelve years now,i will appreciate your help if I can get a job in my area of study.

    Regards
    shadrack

  10. Hi Perminus. My name is Samuel. l am also found myself in a situation worse than that Diane passed through. Im a graduate with Bsc. degree in Animal Science and i have been searching for a job for 8 yrs now. Im now working as a security guard. regards

  11. I am an Office Assistant in a university where the HR function is biased and almost nonfunctional. I got the job ten years ago with my form four and computer application certificates. Even after working for ten years and acquiring a Diploma in Business Management and a Bachelor of Commerce, I still hold the same position and all efforts to get a promotion have been thwarted. I really feel demotivated and bored. I feel under utilized and ignored. All my efforts to get a better job in any other company have been fruitless even though I have applied for hundreds of jobs. I really need any assistance to move on in my career. Thanks

  12. Good Afternoon, my name is Yvonne.I am currently going through what Diane went through. I have a Degree in Human Resource Management but I work as a office assistant in our company. it has been 2 years and i feel stuck since i have not exercised my HR and i havent been able to get a HR job.
    I will appreciate your help if I can get a job in my area of study.

    Regards

    Yvonne

  13. my question is what if you love what you are doing but your work under a hostile leader who is biased and demoralizing however much you look at him positively he doesn’t change

  15. Hallo Perminus,

    My name is Christine Kamau.
    I am going through what Diane went through.
    I have a degree in public relations but I work as a personal assistant in one of the audit firms.
    I will appreciate your help if I can get a job in my area of study.

    Regards

    Christine Kamau

  16. I have been doing sales for a period of seven years and I have actually loved the job because I have dealt with different products and companies whose challenges have made me grow into what I am now. However 2 years ago I landed a job as a route to market sales supervisor. What started off as a promising career suddenly turned into a nightmare when certain individuals who are not in sales were given authority to directly supervise sales operations. Orders would be issued which were to be followed to the letter but when something backfires as a result you are the person to take responsibility. Our input as the sales personnel are never given any weight and it has been quite frustrating since I have to put up with working on orders from above without my feedback being respected. I feel stuck and I don’t look forward to going to work. Kindly help

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