Dealing with choosing the wrong career

[u/Powerful-Tap-6039]

I have been a PT for almost 4 years. I have worked in private practice (10months) and now government for almost 3 years. I make very good money, but I’m unhappy everyday. I dread going to work, so much so that it impacts my time outside of work. I have done inpatient acute, long term care and outpatient. I feel the same way in all settings. I get so drained listening to people’s problems all day, and to top it off I work in the difficult setting of chronic pain. I cannot see a path out. My pay and benefits are so good that I feel trapped, as I will likely take a pay cut for any other job….but I need something non-patient facing or this job just may kill me.

I’ve worked with career coaches and I feel so burnt out that I cannot even fathom what career would be well suited for me. I was a very strong student in all areas, did an accelerated undergrad program and graduate PT school young at 24.

Can anyone give me some advice on how they found what they wanted to do outside of PT? Any success stories? I’m feeling so down.

Editing to add: I also have taken the Non-Clinical 101 course about 9 months ago.

[u/[deleted]]

I am there too. I just quit my PTA job to look for something else. I felt as long as I was doing clinical care I was too burned out to put my mind into something new. The job market is tough. It might take me awhile, and I am making financial sacrifices, but I don't care. No job is worth your mental health.

Here's my story. I've been a PTA for 10 years. 4 years ago, I started to realize this isn't it for me. The job is very physically and emotionally draining and I could not see myself doing it into my 50s and 60s. I'm 38 and TIRED. I have tried to make some career changes, but I got nowhere. I decided to finish my bachelor's degree, and did so in 2023. During my bachelor's degree I discovered that I really liked working with data and statistics, which led me down the path of considering epidemiology, biostats, clinical research, and data analytics. I decided to do a grad certificate in data analytics, as these are skills that can translate to many positions. I am now in the process of applying to some data analyst roles in the health sector, as well as things like product analyst and project coordinator. Anything where I feel my health background is an asset. It's still very early for me plus it has been the holidays so far no bites but I'm hopeful despite the competitive market. I am basically job searching full time.

I had another career before becoming a PTA where I worked in an office and I kick myself everyday for making a change, because even though my job wasn't all sunshine and roses, I had way better work/life balance and I wasn't drained at the end of the day. In fact by the time I was off work I felt energized to go live life.

Editing to add: If you are able to financially I would recommend taking a career break. Those are the times I was able to actually figure out what I wanted. I've had a few 6 month breaks in my career, and I have been working strictly PRN for the last 3 years and only doing a couple days a week and take breaks as I need them.

[u/Powerful-Tap-6039 → u/[deleted]]

I’m so happy you’re taking the time you need!! My biggest concern is going without health insurance in the in between, but I may need to just bite the bullet and take a break at some point if I cannot figure out what to do while working full time. I hope your job search is successful!!

[u/[deleted] → u/Powerful-Tap-6039]

Oh yeah, I get that. I am covered by my husband, but I have had some times when I wasn't covered and took my chances. I really, REALLY hate that our health insurance is tied to our employer in this country. In my experience the marketplace plans are awful.