Is It Time to Upskill or Retrain for a New Career?

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.

True False

You often find yourself pre-occupied with thoughts of work or projects due during your off-hours.

True False

You feel undervalued - your ideas are not considered, and your input is not appreciated.

True False

You wish you had greater balance between work and your personal life.

True False

You want to learn and grow in your career, but find your company doesn’t support your desire for advancement.

True False

You have lost interest in your job or never really felt very interested to begin with.

True False

You would like to increase your income, but lack the skills to reach the level you are seeking.

True False

You feel lonely in your current role, and find that you haven’t connected well with your co-workers.

True False

You do feel appreciated and supported at work, and have been encouraged to work towards a more responsible position.

True False

You would love to learn some new skills and/or try transitioning to another career, but something is holding you back.

True 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.

True False

You feel scattered and unfocused, and need help figuring out a career path that is the right fit for you.

True False

Scores:

0 to 3 points: Congratulations! You have found a job where you feel valued, challenged and satisfied. Should you need additional skills to advance at your company, consider upskilling with a certificate program.

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, such as work/ life balance. A certificate program might give you an opportunity to boost your skills and give you additional options.

7 to 10 points: You are likely experiencing a number of issues leading you to consider making a job change or career change. You may feel dissatisfied, undervalued, and disappointed. Get support from family and friends as you look at your options, which might include a certificate or degree program to provide you with greater flexibility and earning potential.

Journalist/Reporter

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Average Starting Wage: $27.96/hour

You always planned to pursue a different career, but ended up in your current job and now feel stuck.

True False

You often feel stressed and pressured, making it difficult to enjoy your role.

True False

You would like to work from home or have a hybrid option, but your employer wants you to work on-site.

True False

11 to 15 points: Your work situation is causing you to feel pressured and overwhelmed. It is time to make a change, but you may be unsure of next steps. Consider meeting with a DVC academic advisor to discuss options and create an educational plan that leads to a more satisfying and financially fulfilling career.

To learn more about options for upskilling or retraining for a new career, visit www.dvc.edu/explore