Am I stupid to quit studying? Change of career

[Middylifecrisis]

Been in my career for just over two years I decided this year to study a higher qualification so it opened me up to better paid opportunities. I’m 2 months in and I can’t bare it and I feel like I want to change my career. No longer enjoying my role and not enjoying the course at all.

I feel embarrassed but I can’t see myself doing this for the rest of my life. I need some sensible advice. As hubby just says if it’s not making you happy don’t do it.

How long is the course?

Do you know what you'd like to do instead?

@ProvincialLady24 I finish next year June. I’m really not sure at the moment but something more fulfilling. Still trying to find myself but also don’t want to be a quitter.

If you leave your current field would this course still be a useful string to your bow?

As previous poster said, how long is the course? I’m coming to the end of a two year course (which is actually 2 years plus 3 months) and it has felt like forever. I’ve been enjoying it but if I didn’t enjoy it, it would have been awful. Don’t put yourself through it.

Finish the course then decide.

If the course is next year on June I would finish it if you possibly can. From experience, if you quit once it makes it easier to quit again, it can be hard to stick at things once you've got into the habit. Finish what you started, get the certificate then choose a different career path,not because you failed/gave up your current career,but simply because you want to. Most qualifications come in handy down the line. It will also give you some time to explore different options.

If you were 2 months into a 3 year course I would have given different advice.

I'd stop now if you know it's not for you, especially if you're paying fees. If it's the wrong direction, why keep going?

What is your new career and what is the course you are studying?

Usually I think it is better to seek out suitable roles within a career rather than completely switching careers, unless the whole career is completely unsuitable for you. I assume that isn't the case as after two years in this career you decided to embark upon a course, so this field must have seemed ok.

In many careers there are a variety of roles available as you get more experienced and qualified. In general I think you're more likely to find a good role this way, rather than leaving and being entry level in a new field.

Once you've done more senior roles in this field, you may have more transferable skills for moving career in the future.

You mention "Still trying to find myself" but generally I don't think switching careers is a good way to find yourself. I have school friends who kept changing careers, always staying at entry level and never progressing as they kept switching field to try and find their dream job. Those who instead stuck at something long enough to get promoted often found there were more interesting and satisfying roles higher up.

I did similar 6 weeks into a 2 year course as I couldn’t handle full time work plus study (this was before DC), I looked for and changed jobs to a different field and it went fine.

Who has paid for the course? If you, or work has paid but you are liable if you quit how much money will you lose?

If your H is the higher earner whose career is prioritised I wouldn’t set too much store by his ‘just be happy’ suggestion, since your personal earning ability is important, especially in the event of divorce.