Don’t Let the Job Investment Trap Deter You From Changing Careers
A career change can be difficult for many reasons, but some people fear it because they have already invested so much in their current careers. This is called the Job Investment Trap, and you shouldn’t let it get in your way.
The job investment trap is essentially a form of the stranded cost fallacy . You are investing in something, and as frustrating as it may be, you still don’t want to give it up, because that would mean it was all in vain. In addition, you have to start all over again, which is tiring.
When it comes to your career, young people may be particularly susceptible to this trap, because two years of schooling seems much longer when you are 20 than when you are 50. School of Life explains:
“… and this explains why many people, especially young people, mistakenly refuse to retrain … We need now to weigh the investment, not based on our recent experience, but in light of a more accurate picture of all life.”
This is easier said than done, of course. There are other factors that stand in the way of a career switch, namely money. However, this is a valid argument if you are worried about “wasting” your time in one career. Keep in mind: the skills and experience you’ve already learned aren’t necessarily a waste either. Even though I no longer write manuals for drilling tools, the skills I have learned as a technical writer will come in handy not only in my new career, but in other non-work related areas as well.
If you are thinking of a career change, the video contains useful information, so watch it above or follow the link below.
Why You Still Have Time to Change Careers | School of Life