As someone who usually appreciates stability, an anomaly of my generation, switching jobs was especially hard for me. I liked my routine, I liked the comfort of the known, and overall I liked the work I was doing. I was at the same job for four years and I stayed there mainly for the reasons listed above. The fear of the unknown and the resistance to interviewing outweighed any other unhappiness or discomfort. Therefore, for the longest time I justified remaining at my existing job. What tipped me over the edge was when I no longer found the work exciting. I am a very stereotypical Type A personality; and when I lost my creative passion and stopped trying, I knew that I needed to make a change. I didn’t feel like myself anymore.
Switching jobs is never easy, but I find the job search process to be even rougher. You fill out an innumerable amount of applications without ever knowing if you’ll hear back. Furthermore, you realize that the skills that make you a good candidate have almost nothing to do with the skills necessary to obtain the position. However, once these roadblocks are passed, the true benefits of switching jobs are revealed.
First and foremost, I feel revitalized creatively. I have a renewed passion for the work that I do, the people I work with, and my overall way of life. I’m putting myself out into the world more and making an effort to evolve and improve as a designer. I feel appreciated and accepted in my new work environment. Most of all, I feel that I am of value. And that feeling is reflected in the work that I produce. So for those of you who are considering a change, I advise you to take the plunge.