The majority of people would like to change their careers
but are too scared to make the leap, says a new report by careers consultancy
Penna Sanders & Sidney.
Taking the Plunge is based on a survey
of 1,000 people and reports that financial considerations and fears that they
are too old are the biggest barriers to changing career direction.
Of the people canvassed, nearly two-thirds say
they would follow an alternative path if they were able to, with over 40 per
cent harbouring ambitions to enter jobs with higher pay.
More than a quarter of respondents reveal they
are unfulfilled in their current career or in need of a new challenge.
A fifth of people surveyed are looking for jobs
which would enable them to travel. One in eight would prefer not work at all , but spend their time
studying or as a full-time parent or partner.
Sally Davis, director at Penna Sanders &
Sidney, comments, “It is clear that workers have ambitions beyond their current
careers. While many of them lack the confidence to take the plunge and try
something different, this is a warning shot across the bows of UK employers.
“To retain good staff, companies must be
flexible and listen to their staff in order to provide career paths with
different opportunities and challenges.”
Of those who said they would not change career,
more than half admitted to being scared that it might not work.
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A financial windfall or a life-changing event
such as redundancy or a family death was seen as most likely to produce the
motivation needed to make a change by 45 per cent of respondents.
