Research with Baby Boomers has shown that people hold an average of 12.3 jobs between the ages of 18 and 52. While some of these fall in the same industry, many of them involve transitions into new fields. If you feel stuck in your current career, attending a trade school program can send you down a new path. Below are a few signs that this kind of change may be necessary.

How to Tell When to Change Careers

1. Your Feel Physically & Emotionally Drained

Your body will tell you when to stop, so listen to it. Chronic exhaustion, muscle tension, and headaches are all signs of stress. You may have concentration issues, anxiety episodes, or bouts of low self-esteem, which may all increase the risk of depression. 

No job is worth risking your physical or mental well-being for. If you feel exhausted at the end of every workday, it may be time to reconsider your field.

2. You're Only There for the Paycheck

Working adults need to earn a living to pay for food and comforts. However, that doesn't mean money should be the only reason you work. 

All the money in the world won't make a person happy in a career they hate. You have every right to pick a job that makes you feel fulfilled and full of purpose. If you stay in a full-time position you find unsatisfying, you spend 2,080 hours—over 86 days—per year disliking your environment.

3. Your Skills Aren’t Used

You should put the unique skills and qualities you have to work. This helps you contribute to society in a meaningful way and reminds you of your worth.

If your abilities and knowledge are wasted in your current role, consider whether you’re in the right industry. Rethinking your path may make you happier and more successful.

If you’re ready for a change, enroll at Berk Trade & Business School. They offer trade school programs for technical careers, including electrical and plumbing. Since 1940, they have been helping adult learners throughout Long Island City, NY, achieve fulfillment and success. They also offer career services that help you land a job right out of school. Call (718) 729-0909 to discuss their trade school programs, or visit them online to learn more about the admissions process.