The last few years have been challenging, leading most of us to assess our work/life balance and overall career satisfaction. If you’ve been thinking about making a change, take our quick quiz to find out if it might be time to upskill or retrain for something new.
For each question, read each statement and give yourself one point for each “true” response.
You often find yourself talking about negative aspects of your work to family and friends; and have little to say that is positive.
o True o False
You often find yourself pre-occupied with thoughts of work or projects due during your off-hours, making it difficult relax and enjoy your personal time.
o True o False
You feel undervalued by your boss or co-workers – your ideas are not considered, and your input is not appreciated.
o True o False
You wish you had greater balance between work and your personal life.
o True o False
You want to learn and grow in your career, but find the company you work for doesn’t support your desire for advancement.
o True o False
You have lost interest in your job or never really felt very interested to begin with.
o True o False
You always planned to pursue a different career, but ended up in your current job and now feel stuck.
o True o False
You often feel stressed and pressured, making it difficult to enjoy your role.
o True o False
You would like to work from home or have a hybrid option, but your employer prefers you to work on-site only.
o True o False
You would like to increase your income, but lack the skills and/or education to reach the level you are seeking.
o True o False
You feel lonely in your current role and find that you haven’t connected well with your co-workers.
o True o False
You do feel appreciated and supported at work and have been encouraged to work towards a more responsible position.
o True o False
You would love to learn some new skills and/or try transitioning to another career, but something is holding you back – perhaps you are afraid of trying something new, or perhaps you aren’t sure you have enough time or support to accomplish your goals.
o True o False
You’ve been pursuing a hobby on the side that you’re really interested in, and would love to find a way to make a career out of your hobby or turn your hobby into a side hustle.
o True o False
You feel scattered and unfocused, and need help figuring out a career path that is the right fit for you.
o True o False
Scores
0 to 3 points: Congratulations! You have found a job where you feel valued, challenged and satisfied. You enjoy what you do, and are confident in your skills and so is your manager and co-workers. Should you need additional skills to advance at your company, you may want to consider enrolling in certain classes and/or enrolling in a certificate program to upskill and prepare for a promotion.
4 to 6 points: Generally, you feel pretty satisfied with your current work situation, but there are some areas that you would like to improve. Perhaps you can look for ways to create better work/life balance, or consider how you might increase your income, should that be a concern. Enrolling in a certificate program might give you an opportunity to boost your skills and give you additional options.
7 to 10 points: At this level, you are likely experiencing a number of issues leading you to consider making a job change or career change. You’re feeling dissatisfied, undervalued, and disappointed with the situation you are in. Reach out to your family and friends to ask for their support as you look at your options, which might include enrolling in a certificate or degree program that would provide you with greater flexibility, a chance for earning more income, and building a more meaningful career.
11 to 15 points: Based on your score, your work situation is unfortunately quite urgent. You are feeling pressured and overwhelmed, but have continued to stay in your current role to meet your financial and family obligations. It is time to make a change, but you might not know exactly what you want to do and how to get there. Consider meeting with an academic advisor at DVC to discuss your options and get help in creating an educational plan that will enable you to have a more satisfying and financially fulfilling career.
To learn more about options for upskilling or retraining for a new career, checkout the certificates and degrees at DVC.
