Are you in your late 20s to early 30s and wondering if this is the right time to switch careers? Don’t worry, you are not alone in dealing with this dilemma. It can be quite a confusing situation, especially when we are often told that making such a change in the early part of the career can delay growth.

While there are several myths associated with changing careers that need to be debunked, one that can create uncertainties in the mind is that “those who change careers early in life experience instability”.

The truth is that changing careers at any age can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. When planned correctly, switching careers early during your professional journey can lead to growth, advancement and success.

Understanding career switch: An early career edition

Although there is no consensus on how many times the average person changes careers, we know that switching careers, occupations and industries is a common occurrence, says Rohan Sylvester, Talent Strategy Advisor, Indeed, a global job search platform. But if we talk specifically about young professionals, he says they choose to change careers for numerous reasons.

While some may want to explore related careers within their industry, others may realise that their current career does not give them a feeling of fulfilment. Some people may want to pursue a similar profile in another industry, or establish a career path related to their interests or hobbies. Burnout or a wish to maximise earnings can also lead to early career change, Sylvester explains.

Nonetheless, changing careers early on allows young professionals to leverage their professional experience and redirect their career goals, he says. By researching and pursuing other opportunities early on, one can create a plan to achieve a job in a desired field.

A few prominent signs it’s time to change your career early

Sylvester points out that employees can contemplate a career change if they experience certain things. First, if you feel that you are ready for a new challenge and wish to take on different responsibilities, it is a sign that you need a change. If you find yourself intrigued by your friends’ jobs and feel that these are more interesting than your current position, it may be time to explore other career options, he says.

A new career path can provide a confidence boost if you feel your hard work and dedication are not being recognised by your current manager and coworkers. Consider it time to explore new opportunities if you have reached the highest salary possible in your current career path and want to earn more. The most important sign, he says, is that if your job is impacting your health or work-life balance, it may be time to change careers.

Career-change challenges and strategies to keep a note of

While there are various advantages of early career change, individuals may encounter a few challenges along the way. Building a new set of skills, accepting lower compensation, establishing a new professional network, having little guidance, and deciding on the exact job you want are some of the obstacles that one might have to deal with, opines the expert.

Having said that, he suggests leveraging existing skills, setting a budget and saving up, expanding your network, seeking guidance from mentors, and researching potential careers as some of the effective strategies to overcome the career-change obstacles and make an informed decision.

Hence, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that an early career change won’t result in instability as long as you know when exactly to switch, have the passion to see the change through, are aware of the potential challenges, and are equipped with a well-curated road map to deal with the obstacles.