Sadly, when it comes to Americans and job satisfaction the outlook is not particularly good. When it comes down to it, many employees are not happy or engaged in their work. An alarming 70% of workers confess that they are “not engaged” or “actively disengaged,” according to a report by Gallup. What can we do to remedy this problem? Several studies show the key is to find work with meaning. “Researchers have found that workers who feel a higher calling to their jobs are among the most content,” the American Psychological Association (APA) writes. That means there is scientific evidence backing the claim that we will be happiest paying off mortgage loans only when we are able to pay them off doing something we love — or at least something that feels meaningful to us. That often begins with changing your career. What careers are best for creating this meaning? The answers might surprise you.
Unfortunately, “people working blue-collar jobs report lower levels of overall happiness in every region around the world,” according to The Havard Business Review (HBR). If you have the savings and determination to do it, consider leaving your blue-collar job for something that will make you happier and potentially even add years to your life. To accomplish that with a career move, one of your best bets is to become an artist. So is it time to pack your bags and head off to art school? Research shows it may be more than worth your while. Psychology Today, for instance, reveals that even the act of looking at art goes a long way to boost our happiness. Viewing art releases the stress-relieving hormone dopamine and kick starts activity in the brain’s frontal cortex, the same region of the brain where we feel love. Art therapy, a therapy focused on creating art (drawing, painting, photography, and sculpting), reduces anxiety and depression and can even help lessen the symptoms of chronic illnesses. With such an overwhelming amount of evidence about the benefits of changing your career and of being a professional artist, you might as well give it a shot. A reputable art school will teach you technique and refine your skills — and teach you all the nuances of being self-employed or running your own business.
Another angle is to turn an existing hobby into a career. For example, if you take fencing lessons on the side, why not find out what it takes to be counted among the top fencing professionals or what it takes to get paid for what you already enjoy doing? According to Entrepreneur.com, some of the top reasons people change jobs are to learn new skills or to find a better work-life balance. By turning your hobby into your source of income, you can do both at the same time. Fencing, in particular, is an excellent form of anaerobic exercise. It boosts circulation, releases endorphins, eases stress, and improves focus. Swap out fencing for your preferred physical activity, and find out what it takes to make it as a paid professional. If you are more of a behind-the-scenes person, but still love sports, there are plenty of avenues for you to explore. For example, sports and entertainment lawyers regularly work with athletes and have the perfect excuse to catch every game. Sports and entertainment lawyers may handle contract disputes, conflict resolution, licensing negotiations, intellectual property rights, and more. It will also be advantageous to live in cities that revolve around sports, like New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
https://cultureforum.net/great-careers-to-pursue-if-youre-looking-for-a-change/