We’ve all heard of The Great Resignation–the pandemic has changed the way all people work, from where to when to with whom. In fact, in September 2021, 4.4 million Americans left their jobs; some switched careers, transitioned into entirely new industries, or left the workforce altogether.¹ Remote work has been an easier transition for those in office jobs, but what about hands-on industries? And what is driving all of these career changes?

Burnout plays a big role.

Let’s take a look at the nuts and bolts of burnout. One key sign of burnout is that you don’t have the motivation to get any work done. A second symptom is a lack of resilience and not just a temporary setback, but an inability to bounce back from anything at all.²

When you’re feeling burned out, you also tend to have bad interactions with your colleagues and coworkers. You find it hard to stay positive. You may not be able to hide your pessimistic feelings about things or people. This increases the feeling of burnout, which increases the negative interactions, and becomes a vicious cycle. Burnout can also lead you to have difficulty making decisions at work because these negative feelings make it impossible to perceive a situation objectively and weigh the outcomes effectively.²

Your “old job” hasn’t adapted to the “New Normal.”

According to a recent survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a third (32%) of those who lost their job during the pandemic and remain unemployed strongly agree with the sentiment, “For my next job, I prefer to work in a different industry than the one that I last worked in,” up from 30% who said the same in May. Similarly, nearly one-third (29%) of those planning to return to work indicated that they are likely to change industries.³

For many, especially women, this is because the need to be home to care for children and others in the household has made full-time employment too challenging. Other reasons include health and concerns about the risk of contracting COVID-19 on the job.³ 

Flexibility, options to work remotely or in a hybrid model, stringent health protocols, and part-time roles can help address some of these concerns.³

There are a million little things that add up to losing your spark.

Let’s take a look at one of the industries hit hardest by The Great Resignation: healthcare, especially nursing.⁴ 

One of the most common complaints healthcare workers talk about is not having a functioning copier. While that may seem insignificant, it taps into a frustration that healthcare staff almost universally bemoan: The paperwork and insurance forms that suck up their after-hours and weekends.⁴

These chronic pebbles in an employee’s proverbial shoe, when left unaddressed, add up and exacerbate over time, leading to unhappiness, burnout, and even a loss of passion.⁴

Of course, this isn’t just true of the healthcare industry. Recruiters say they are hearing over and over again that people want more flexibility. They say workers are hesitant to return to jobs in industries such as retail, restaurants, and manufacturing that require a fixed schedule with in-person work, often at odd hours.⁵

So, is it time for a change?

If any of the above sounds like you, it may be worth it to explore a career change. The job market is humming with activity, and many companies are trying to adapt to provide more flexibility and balance to prospective employees. If you’re thinking about new opportunities, check out some of our Day In the Life videos to see firsthand what it’s like to work in Medical Aesthetics. Cheers to finding your spark!