13 Signs You’re Stuck in the Wrong Career

Misalignment at work is real.

One reason? The way our education system works.

We expect too much, too early. How on earth can children — yes, they are still children — know what to do with their lives at 15 years old? We expect them to choose a lifelong path so they can take the “right” classes, get into the “right” college, and pick a major that may have nothing to do with who they really are.

(There are so many other glitches in our education system — that’s a topic for another article. Outdated majors, irrelevant curriculums… you name it.)

So it’s no surprise that so many people end up doing work they don’t even like. And I’m not just talking about a bad culture or toxic boss — I mean the actual work. It’s not fulfilling, it’s not meaningful… it’s not them.

In a June 2025 Business Insider report, two-thirds of professionals said they feel stuck in their current roles — including over 70% in tech. Financial constraints, economic uncertainty, and the cost of education deter career shifts — even when people know they’re misaligned.

These are real and valid concerns. Yet I also know — from both personal experience and 20+ years of coaching — that once you believe change is possible, you can find a way.

Here are some of the most common signs I’ve seen — in myself and in hundreds of clients — that you might be stuck in the wrong career.

13 Signs You’re Stuck in the Wrong Career

• You dread Mondays (and Tuesdays… and most weekdays). The thought of going to work fills you with anxiety, apathy, or sadness. You live for weekends and vacations — but even Sundays are tainted with dread.

• You feel like you’re living someone else’s life. You followed a path that looked good on paper — for status, security, or to please others — but it’s not you. Something feels off, even if others envy you.

• Your energy is drained — even when you’re not working. It’s not just burnout. It’s soul fatigue. You feel tired in a way that’s emotional, not physical.

• You’ve outgrown the role, but stay for the paycheck. You’ve evolved, but golden handcuffs keep you stuck. It feels stable… but is it really? Layoffs are happening everywhere.

• You keep hearing a whisper: “There has to be more than this.” That quiet inner voice is getting louder — even if you’ve tried to silence it.

• You don’t feel proud of your work. Even if you’re good at it, it doesn’t feel meaningful. You don’t love talking about it. Sure, your title and company name sound impressive — but you know those can disappear any day. You’re craving something deeper.

• You keep dreaming about something else. You imagine doing something more creative, impactful, or flexible — but you talk yourself out of it. “Who am I to want more?”

• You feel like you're shrinking, not growing. Instead of expanding your confidence or skills, you feel like you're playing small — stuck in survival mode.

• You’re surrounded by people who don’t share your values. The culture feels inauthentic. You crave purpose, connection, and humanity — but everything feels transactional and cold.

• Your work feels meaningless. You work hard, and the results show. But they don’t feel like they matter — at least not to you. It feels like just a paycheck.

• It’s affecting your mental or physical health. You’ve started to wonder if the cost to your well-being is worth it. No one is handing out medals for burnout.

• You keep waiting for the “right time” to leave. You’re hoping for a sign. This might be it. (Or all of the above!!)

• You’re reading lists like this. 😉 If you're asking these questions, something in you is waking up — and wants more.

So, what can you do?

Explore your options. You don’t have to leap blindly — but you do need to start exploring. Without that, you’ll never know what’s possible. I know how hard it is to consider leaving your income or your status behind. I’ve done it — and now I help others take risk-free steps first, before making a big leap.

I’m here to help. Start here:

✅ Visit the Resources Page to download free tools like the Career Transition Guide: https://www.yourbestlifeinc.com/careerresources

Keep dreaming. Keep believing in your own potential and power. You have it all. 

Purposefully,

Brooke