December 8, 2020, by Caroline Nolan
Is Covid-19 Changing Your Career Plans?
By Katy Skillen, third year MNutr Master of Nutrition and Dietetics student
Well, if there is one thing we have learnt in the past year, it is that change is inevitable.
Maybe you had a clear plan regarding how your career is going to evolve and now that’s all been changed due to Covid-19. In many ways, this has happened for me as well. So I just wanted to share a few tips to help you deal with all the changes in your life!
Don’t panic!
Yes, change can be scary, but if you let it frighten you then you will never be able to experience anything new. This year I haven’t been able to continue my job in a student bar, but I channelled my worry into dealing with this change. Therefore, I started working as an online tutor and to be honest, I actually prefer it to my old job! I don’t have to work late nights or travel anywhere for work, so it is actually better for me as it fits in around my studies. Try not to worry as you never know what other opportunities will come your way; your energy can be used to productively adapt and seek something new.
Embrace the change
As a very non-IT savvy person, the thought of online… well… everything seemed like my worst nightmare! Hours sitting in front of my laptop staring at a screen just didn’t appeal to me at all. However, many jobs and careers seem to be relying on technology more and more. So instead of resisting the change, I’ve learnt to make it work for me. I schedule in more time for walks to meet friends to help break up the day. I set myself strict no-screen times and I’ve made turned my desk into a cosy working environment. If this online world could be what my future job will look like, I have found ways to make it work for me.
Don’t worry about the future
This year I also found out that my hospital placement next year is happening in a very different way. This has changed my plans regarding where I am going to live and has left me with a lot of uncertainty. But as scary as it is, I just have to accept that uncertainty is a big part of life right now. The best thing to do is stay calm, see what happens, and trust that it will all work out.
Not all change is bad
Finally, it is important to remember that not all changes are doom and gloom! Covid-19 has meant that I appreciate seeing my friends a lot more. I’ve also had more time to FaceTime my family. All the chaos in the world has made us value everything a lot more and this is a change I never want to forget.
The changes that have occurred in 2020 are drastic and in some ways irreversible. However, while this may seem a bit overwhelming, remember to believe in your ability to adapt to change and thrive in new environments. Trust me, you’ve got this.
During these changing times, the careers service is here to support you. Our Employability Matters podcasts are a great source of information. You can also book an appointment with a careers adviser via MyCareer.
Looking after your overall wellbeing is important to deal with change and challenges throughout your career. Look out for the next post in our Career Wellbeing blog series, it will be available on Friday, 18 December 2020 and will focus on dealing with anxiety during recruitment activities.
Stay alert with the University’s Covid-19 advice here.
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