Stories highlighting individuals who made a professional switch, finding increased joy and contentment in their new paths.
**"Life is too short to work a job you hate. Find a profession that ignites your passion," - a quote often attributed to someone wise, remains relevant for individuals at any career stage, not just graduates aiming for further education.
Why Picking a Profession is Like Navigating a Labyrinth
Psychologist Aigul Kalieva believes that when an individual truly understands themselves, making career decisions becomes less burdensome. However, she emphasizes that this connection with oneself doesn't often appear until around the age of 30.
Young adults, ages 17, tend to be in the exploratory phase of their lives, facing significant physical and psychological changes. Due to these challenges, choosing a lifetime career path feels almost impossible, which is completely normal. Furthermore, they're frequently influenced by unrealistic visions of professions portrayed in movies and societal expectations. Self-discovery is necessary before making a career decision, but it requires time and patience.
As individuals reach their 30s, changing professions becomes more difficult due to previous experience, accomplishments, and future goals. The investment of time, effort, and resources in a particular field makes it hard to relinquish the sense of achievement.
"It's challenging to abandon those accomplishments and start over," Aigul Kalieva points out. "Insecurities about a new profession's future prospects often prevent people from taking that leap."
From Accountant to Stand-Up Comedian
Aina Musina, 38,
Aina Musina spent her younger years working as a croupier in a casino and later as an accountant once she graduated. According to Aina, her decision was mainly driven by the relevance and stability of the job.
"It was a job for the paycheck, not for passion," says Aina Musina. "I wasn't passionate about it, but I'm grateful for it. It provided for me, even during tough times."
She shared that she left the field only when she found another source of income: she didn't leave for nothing.
According to Aina, personal growth is easier when one is young and free from responsibilities, especially financial ones. "It's easier to move on when you're young," she says, "You're not afraid because you answer only to yourself, and no one is depending on you."
Parallel to her mainstream job, Aina started doing stand-up comedy, regularly attending open mic nights. "It was easy to combine with my job since it took place during the evenings," Aina added. However, as performances increased and YouTube updates demanded constant updates, the balance became more challenging. Last year, Aina made the decision to fully focus on stand-up comedy and left her old job gracefully.
Since that transition, Aina's life has taken a positive turn: she's much happier now because she finally found something she enjoys and finds fulfilling. "Life is about doing what you love," Aina advises. "Believe in yourself and make it happen."
From English Teacher to Actor
Eugene Ignatov, 29 years old
In 2015, Eugene Ignatov worked as an office manager, HR manager, and translator. In 2017, he started teaching English at a private school, and in 2019, he enrolled in a two-year acting course at ARTishOK.
"I didn't dream of becoming an actor as a child," Eugene shared. "My parents advised me to become an engineer or a doctor, and I did pursue an education as a translator. But I discovered my passion for acting when I saw that I could find myself there."
He started acting as a simple hobby, attending plays, and even acting in amateur productions. However, the play 'Uyat' was the one that sparked an interest in taking up acting as a full-time career. Eugene took advantage of the opportunity when ARTiSHOK opened enrollment for new students.
The first two-year course took up all of Eugene's time, but it paid off: he now works as an actor and teaches acting to teenagers.
"Working in the theater taught me to be bold in finding the answers to my questions," concluded Eugene.
From Office Manager to Photographer
Karina Gibadullina, 32 years old
Karina Gibadullina worked her way up through office jobs, starting as a manager, then an administrative assistant, and ending as an assistant to the general director in a pharmaceutical company. Despite her steady career progress, she began to fear working in an office for the rest of her life, so she chose to try something new.
Karina started learning photography as a freelancer, even though she didn't know if she would excel or not. "I wasn't sure if it would work out, but it was worth trying," she says. "I wanted to test the waters and see what awaited me in the future."
Taking on a freelance lifestyle brought numerous challenges, such as the lack of health insurance, basic work essentials, and a monthly salary. However, Karina Gibadullina advises approaching career changes wisely and responsibly. "First, find your passion, and only then enroll in courses," she says, "Don't quit your main job right away. Instead, see if you're good at it, if it guarantees income, and if you're mentally prepared."
Tips for Career Transitions:
- Discover your passion and interests: Honesty and self-reflection are crucial when making career decisions.
- Build confidence and affirm your value: Recognize your unique skills and strengths.
- Be flexible and adaptable: Keep an open mind to new experiences, continuous learning, and potential career shifts.
- Manage societal expectations: Balance personal desires with family, cultural, and societal pressures.
- Start small: Test the waters by taking classes, attending workshops, or volunteering before fully committing.
- Seek support: Gain advice from mentors, career counselors, or peers to help navigate difficult decisions.
- Address self-doubt: Focus on strengths instead of perceived weaknesses, and keep faith in your ability to succeed.
Psychologist Aigul Kalieva recommends taking the time to understand oneself before rushing into a career decision. "Trusting your intuition is key," she says, "It will guide you to a career that brings job satisfaction and stability."
- Aina Musina, who at one point worked as an accountant, shared that her job wasn't driven by passion and referred to Confucius by saying, "Life is about doing what you love."
- Eugene Ignatov, a former English teacher, enrolled in a two-year acting course at ARTishOK, following his passion for acting, which he discovered later in life.
- Karina Gibadullina, who worked in an office environment, highlighted the importance of personal growth, saying, "It's easier to move on when you're young," a sentiment echoed by psychologist Aigul Kalieva.
- Young adults, including Eugene and Karina, often face societal expectations and unrealistic visions of professions, as well as the challenge of discovering their true passions, a process require time and patience.