Odds are, you were already invested in a particular job, trade, or career prior to beginning your addiction recovery journey. However, now that you’ve had time to reprioritize life and gain a fresh perspective, you have the opportunity to discover new hobbies and new interests, which might lead to a different career investment.
Is it wise to change jobs post-treatment, though? Is it a waste of time? Worthwhile? In short, there’s no one answer for everyone. There are important factors for everyone to consider that might lead them down different avenues, but there are a few questions to consider while you decide if it’s best to change jobs, or entire career paths, after completing your addiction recovery program.
Check out a few of these crucial questions (and feel free to navigate them with a staff member or accountability partner you trust):
Table of Contents
1. Did my former job bring me joy, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose?
No job, or long-term career for that matter, is perfect. After all, businesses are built and operated by imperfect people, so it only makes sense that every job has a flaw somewhere in the system. However, it’s important for your job to give you joy, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose.
Before deciding to delve into a new job, it’s important to recognize if your former job gave you any of these things. It matters if you enjoy the work you’re doing, especially since you’ll likely work eight hours a day, five days a week. It matters if you felt like what you did make a difference in the long run — to you, others, and your community.
This enjoyment and value provide satisfaction, and satisfaction in the workplace isn’t just important for you and your emotional health, but it’s important for productivity, as well.
2. Was I valued at my former job — by both leadership and coworkers?
It’s crucial for humans to feel needed, welcomed, and valued, particularly at their job. While TV shows, books, and various other sorts of entertainment want you to buy into and even accept the stereotypical attitude that a boss is chauvinistic and rude, that’s not how true leadership functions.
Not only should you be respected by leaders, but you should be respected by your ground-level coworkers, as well. When everyone is mutually valued and honored, it’s easier to celebrate each other’s wins in the office, creating productivity and healthy, balanced work culture.
Take some time to reflect on your former job and analyze the types of relationships you had with both bosses and coworkers. Discover if respect was not only available but encouraged.
-
Do I have the education/certification necessary for a new job?
If you’ve decided that it’s best to pursue a different job or long-term career, the next big step is to map out the necessary requirements for this job and determine if you have the education and/or certifications needed to apply.
If not, maybe it’s time to decide if furthering your education is the next big step. However, if you have decided that going back to school isn’t what you would like to do, or doesn’t fit your needs and the needs of your reintegration transition, swapping career fields might not be the best path — at least for now.
This doesn’t mean you shut down all dreams and ideas of pursuing something new, but it does provide you with a timeline for what comes next: education or job. From there, you can narrow down which career field works best for you as you reintegrate.
-
Do I understand enough about this new career field to truly commit?
A lot of us like the idea of being a doctor. It comes with great benefits like solid pay, prestige, and more. Unfortunately, most of us probably aren’t a fan of blood, being on call overnight, or putting in nearly ten years of school.
While certain careers seem to have the dazzle effect (thanks to the entertainment industry), that doesn’t mean the sparkle will last. Make a list of some of these dream jobs you have, then do the research to discover what it truly takes to invest in this career field.
After conducting your research, do a little soul searching. Process what drew you to this opportunity — whether it was more superficial, or something that truly feeds your soul and drives you to invest in the things that you love.
Deciding on a career path post-treatment can be overwhelming, so reach out to staff members or accountability partners you trust to navigate this roadmap with you.
Having a game plan following treatment is an important part of the integration process. It creates balance, a healthy schedule, a sense of self-worth, and motivation — all things that we at Renaissance Ranch celebrate. Meanwhile, we know that it’s important to slow down and take your time when deciding which career route is right for you. It’s vital to ask yourself some important questions about things like what you enjoy and which education resources you have available before diving into something new — or old, for that matter. Here at Renaissance Ranch, we celebrate this journey with you, and we are honored to help you navigate all options so you can find the best-suited job for you. Sure, this can be an overwhelming, intimidating process, but we are here to help! With programs ranging from alumni retreats to family recovery treatment, you are sure to find the support that meets your individual needs at Renaissance Ranch. For more information, call us today at (801) 308-8898.