Deciding whether or not you enjoy your job is fairly straightforward. That said, deciding whether or not you enjoy your career is a much more challenging consideration.
You may feel unfulfilled, unhappy, or underappreciated at work, but how do you know if these feelings are related to your workplace or your actual career?
Firstly, you should do your best to determine whether or not your workplace displays signs of a toxic work environment. If you determine that your workplace is indeed toxic, you may want to focus on changing jobs, rather than changing careers.
Likewise, if you are struggling to know how to stay motivated at work, the answer may be more straightforward than a career change. You may find increased fulfillment and a greater work-life balance through a different routine and the formation of healthy habits.
That said, if you find yourself wondering: should I change careers? or how do I change career paths?, it’s probably time to start actively reflecting on your past career choices, current career path, and future possibilities for finding a new career.
Sometimes people know they would prefer to have a different career but are nervous to make the change. For people wondering can I change careers at 40? the answer is of course you can!
It’s never too late to consider changing careers. Most of us don’t know what we really want to do when we are in our 20s. What’s more, our needs and preferences change as we get older. What we value in our 20s isn’t necessarily what we value in our 30s or 40s.
So for those of you wondering, should I change careers at 40? and how do I change careers at 40? refer to our guide for changing careers at 40.
More generally, for workers wondering should I change my career? how do I change careers? or even can I change my career? consider these 8 signs that you picked the wrong career.
Stress takes a physical toll on the body. This is common, unfortunately, with workers with low job satisfaction. If your physical and/or mental health is declining, you are likely suffering from a poor work-life balance.
Common signs of stress include headaches, stomach aches, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, make sure to seek medical advice and/or seek counseling.
It is also possible that you are physically ill-suited for your career. For example, if your job includes a lot of physical labor and you find that your body can’t comfortably keep up, it may be time to consider changing careers.
When you are dissatisfied with your job, there is an increased temptation to call out of work often. Yes, taking physical and mental health days is important, but if you find yourself trying to find any reason to call out of work, this is a sign of a greater problem. Ideally, your career should feel purposeful and fulfilling. If this isn’t the case, you may feel aimless, burnt-out, or unmotivated.
Physical and emotional safety are key factors in having a fulfilling career. Some jobs and careers involve quite a few risk factors. For instance, carpenters often have to work on ladders and staging high off the ground. Similarly, loggers and foresters spend a lot of time working with chainsaws and are often feeling trees.
Maybe at the beginning of your career, these factors felt manageable. If, however, this is no longer the case, and you are beginning to feel physically and/or emotionally unsafe at your job, it may very well be time to start researching alternative career paths. Remember, you deserve to have a career where you feel safe.
It’s common for people who struggle to connect with their colleagues to wonder did I pick the wrong career? It’s possible that you simply do not like your work environment and your specific coworkers. If, however, you find that more, generally speaking, you struggle to connect with other people in your profession, this may be a sign that you have chosen the wrong career.
It’s important to feel proud of the work that you do and to have a larger feeling of purpose. If your career, or the company that you work for, is not reflective of your larger values, this will feel difficult to accomplish. Similarly, it’s easy to feel undervalued or underappreciated if your career doesn’t fully utilize your skill set.
Sometimes, workers who’ve chosen the wrong career path will find it difficult to succeed in their careers. If you are not meeting your company’s standards and have no desire to improve your job performance, you likely are not in the right career. Careers are often challenging (and this is a good thing!) but if you are struggling to keep up and can’t find the motivation to improve, it’s probably time to move on and try something else.
Financial stability is a huge factor in regards to whether or not you feel personally and professionally fulfilled. If your job isn’t meeting your financial needs, you may be asking yourself: How can I change careers? Thankfully, there are several steps you can take, including attending networking events, identifying transferable job skills, setting up informational interviews, and reworking your resume.
If you find yourself constantly daydreaming about having a different career, this is a clear sign that you are no longer feeling fulfilled in your current career. Sure, sometimes it can feel satisfying to indulge in the occasional daydream and wonder what it might be like to be a famous actor or an astronaut. If, however, these daydreams occur regularly, your subconscious is trying to nudge you in the right direction.
There are lots of signs to help you determine when you should change careers. Generally speaking though, if you consistently feel stressed and overwhelmed at work, do not connect well with your colleagues, and feel unmotivated to improve your job performance, it’s probably time to start thinking about finding a new career.
Perhaps after reviewing these 8 signs that you picked the wrong career, you have determined that it is indeed your job and not your career that needs changing. If this is the case, your path forward may be a bit simpler. Perhaps you just need to learn how to ask for a raise. Regardless of what your specific job circumstances may be, here at Prepory, we have the resources to help you reach your goals. If you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance, reach out to learn more about our services.
There are lots of signs to help you determine when you should change careers. Generally speaking though, if you consistently feel stressed and overwhelmed at work, do not connect well with your colleagues, and feel unmotivated to improve your job performance, it’s probably time to start thinking about finding a new career.
The truth is that anxiety is a normal feeling for a lot of high school students who are transitioning to college. Friends and family have surrounded you for the majority of your years and now you’ll be on your own. You’ll be exploring a new place and making new friends, and it is no secret that anxiety is a common emotion.
Liberal arts colleges are small private colleges that emphasize the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences within their undergraduate curriculum. Students who attend liberal arts colleges gain exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines, with about half of their classes falling outside of their major. In this way, liberal arts colleges follow a very different structure than research universities, technical programs, and other forms of higher education.
Liberal arts colleges on the East Coast are highly-regarded institutions of higher learning. In fact, the majority of top liberal arts colleges are located on the East Coast. If you are curious about what sets liberal arts colleges apart from other colleges and universities or want to know the advantages of receiving a liberal arts education, read on! In this article, we will provide key statistics and information regarding East Coast liberal arts colleges, while highlighting the best East Coast liberal arts colleges.
Liberal arts colleges are small private colleges that emphasize the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences within their undergraduate curriculum. Students who attend liberal arts colleges gain exposure to a wide range of academic disciplines, with about half of their classes falling outside of their major. In this way, liberal arts colleges follow a very different structure than research universities, technical programs, and other forms of higher education.
How many liberal arts colleges are in the U.S.? This statistic can vary, depending on various factors, but generally, there are about 200 liberal arts colleges in the United States. The majority of these are East Coast liberal arts schools, though there are several notable liberal arts colleges in both the Midwest and the West Coast, particularly in California. That said, liberal arts colleges in the Northeast have a long-standing reputation as being some of the most prestigious liberal arts schools on the East Coast and in the country.
If you are interested in small liberal arts colleges in the Northeast, there are several excellent women’s colleges to consider as well, including Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Wellesley College, and Simmons University (all located in Massachusetts).
There are several benefits to receiving a liberal arts education. As a student, you are exposed to a wide range of academic disciplines. This encourages creative and critical thinking skills. It can also be helpful for students who are undecided about their major.
The small class sizes often lend themselves to discussion-based courses and each student receives a lot of individualized attention. The professors are also known for prioritizing their teaching duties above their own research projects. Overall, these are among the top reasons why East Coast liberal arts colleges are held in such high regard.
Let’s review the key reasons why liberal arts colleges, especially on the East Coast, are so desirable:
In this section, we will review notable liberal arts colleges on the East Coast. For each East Coast liberal arts college, we will provide the college’s:
If you are interested in learning more about liberal arts colleges on the East Coast, read on for key facts and figures.
Amherst College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,970. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 12.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Amherst College is ranked #2 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Bard College is located in Annandale-On-Hudson, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 1,800. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 58.1%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bard College is ranked #62 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Barnard College is located in New York City, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,744. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 12.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Barnard College is ranked #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Bates College is located in Lewiston, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 1,876. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 15.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bates College is ranked #25 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Bowdoin College is located in Brunswick, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 1,777. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 10.2%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bowdoin College is ranked #6 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Bryn Mawr College is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,300. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 32.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bryn Mawr College is ranked #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Bucknell University is located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 3,757. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 34.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Bucknell University is ranked #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Colby College is located in Waterville, Maine, and has an undergraduate population of 2,155. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 13.1%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Colby College is tied as #17 for top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Colgate University is located in Hamilton, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 3,042. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 23.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Colgate University is tied as #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
College of the Holy Cross is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 2,997. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 34.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, College of the Holy Cross is tied for #35 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Connecticut College is located in New London, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 1,737. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 37%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Connecticut College is tied for #50 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Davidson College is located in Davidson, North Carolina, and has an undergraduate population of 1,983. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 16.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Davidson College is tied for #13 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Dickinson College is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,932. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 41.6%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Dickinson College is tied for #50 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Franklin and Marshall College is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,254. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 30.9%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Franklin and Marshall College is tied at #42 for top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Gettysburg College is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,505. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 43%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Gettysburg College is tied at #54 for top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Hamilton College is located in Clinton, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 1,900. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 19%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Hamilton College is tied for #13 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Hampshire College is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 522. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 63%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Hampshire College is tied for #141 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Haverford College is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,307. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 18.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Haverford College is ranked #16 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Lafayette College is located in Easton, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 2,514. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 31.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Lafayette College is tied for #38 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Middlebury College is located in Middlebury, Vermont, and has an undergraduate population of 2,580. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 15%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Middlebury College is tied for #9 for top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Mount Holyoke College is located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,915. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 42.8%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Mount Holyoke College is tied for #30 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Skidmore College is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,582. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 26%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Skidmore College is tied for #38 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Smith College is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 21,83. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 30.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Smith College is tied for #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Swarthmore College is located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 1,437. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 9.2%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Swarthmore College is ranked #3 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Trinity College is located in Hartford, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 2,200. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 31.3%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Trinity College is ranked tied for #46 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 2,435. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 22.7%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Vassar College is tied for #22 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Wellesley College is located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 2,280. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 20.4%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Wellesley College is ranked as #5 of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Wesleyan University is located in Middletown, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 2,852. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 17.4%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Wesleyan University is tied for #17 among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Williams College is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 1,962. Its 2022 acceptance rate is 8.5%. According to the U.S. News College ranking, Williamstown College is ranked as #1 of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
Like many highly-selective colleges, liberal arts colleges use holistic college admissions standards to select their incoming classes. This is why it is often important to have meaningful extracurricular activities included in your college application. Liberal arts colleges, especially the best small liberal arts colleges on the East Coast, offer students a well-rounded education while fostering creative and critical thinking skills. Their small class sizes also set them apart from other institutions of higher learning. Students often receive a lot of individualized attention from their professors. Furthermore, liberal arts professors are known for prioritizing their teaching duties above their own research projects, setting them apart from larger, research universities.
If you have any questions about liberal arts colleges, don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about our services. Regardless of where you are in your college search or college applications, our professionals can provide valuable guidance throughout the application process. Whether you are interested in learning how to get into an Ivy League college or how to write a unique college essay, we can help.
Picture by Adam Fagen.
