{"id":2227,"date":"2025-06-01T08:55:18","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T15:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2227"},"modified":"2026-07-31T07:23:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T14:23:31","slug":"how-to-quit-your-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/how-to-quit-your-job\/","title":{"rendered":"Use this checklist before you quit your job"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn how education can serve as the launching pad<\/h2>\n
Editor’s note: <\/strong>This story was originally published on Oregon State University’s Division of Ecampus news site.<\/span><\/div>\n

If you clicked to read this story, you\u2019ve probably thought about quitting your job, at least briefly, within the last week or two. Research shows that workplace satisfaction is highly linked to well-being<\/a>, so taking action may be in your best interest.<\/p>\n

Every gig has its ups and downs, and even your dream job will have its challenges. But if you\u2019re having more \u201cdown\u201d days than \u201cup,\u201d you might want to consider quitting your job.<\/p>\n

Enter, upskilling.<\/p>\n

This tactic of building your skills to meet the demands of the job market can help you home in on what\u2019s next for you. By adopting an upskilling mindset, you can work toward your goals through career-building educational opportunities \u2014 like the microcredentials delivered online by Oregon State University<\/a>. Plus, research shows<\/a> that earning a degree or credential can increase your lifetime earning potential by as much as a $1 million.<\/p>\n

So before you submit your two weeks\u2019 notice or send that email to your boss, take a deep breath and set yourself up for success first. Use the checklist below to get ready.<\/p>\n

1. Consider what you need, want and hope to avoid<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to write down the qualities of the type of role you\u2019d be happy with. Explore career pathways through sites like Glassdoor, the Bureau of Labor Statistics\u2019 Occupational Outlook Handbook or the Oregon State Ecampus Career Hub to find out how to move toward your professional goals.<\/p>\n

Also take note of anything that you don\u2019t<\/i> want to be doing. You may not find something that ticks all of your \u201cwant\u201d boxes, but you\u2019ll know a red flag when you see one down the line.<\/p>\n

Then, consider whether you can find the role you\u2019re looking for in your current organization (or if you want it to be). If you\u2019re on the fence about moving on, consider writing a pros and cons list for staying or leaving<\/span><\/a> your company. The main takeaway? Don’t quit your job without a plan.<\/p>\n

2. Find gaps in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve determined what you\u2019d like to do next, set out to identify any gaps you may have in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9. You can do this by exploring job listings on sites like Indeed<\/a>, local listings or any organization\u2019s career opportunities page. Pay special attention to both minimum and preferred qualifications, any specific programs or skills listed and even any responsibilities listed in the job description.<\/p>\n

You can also explore labor market insight tools<\/a> to help identify core competencies for any desired role, or you can connect with others in your desired role through networking sites like LinkedIn<\/a> or relevant professional organizations<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you have some college credits but no degree and haven\u2019t had the chance to finish it, check out degree completion programs like Oregon State University\u2019s online bachelor\u2019s in applied humanities<\/a>. This program is designed to give you a flexible<\/a> and affordable pathway to complete your degree, including a completion scholarship for your final 12 online credits.<\/p>\n

3. Skill up with education<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve figured out where you\u2019re headed and what you need to get there, you\u2019re ready to take action. It\u2019s time to fill those gaps in your r\u00e9sum\u00e9 with skill development.<\/p>\n

One option for professional skill-building is pursuing a microcredential online. Microcredentials consist of courses bundled together that allow learners to gain practical, in-demand skills in a variety of topics and earn a digital badge<\/a> upon completion. Still have questions about microcredentials? Check out this recent piece<\/a>, covering the topic from A-Z.<\/p>\n

With microcredentials, you can also try out new areas of work that you might be interested in before you make the career leap. Explore sports business<\/a> or engineering management<\/a> \u2014 whatever you think you might enjoy long term. Some schools, like Oregon State, place high value on helping you develop practical skills in your online coursework. That means you\u2019ll gain experience in realistic work scenarios, so you\u2019ll be on the fast track toward r\u00e9sum\u00e9 gold.<\/p>\n

\"A

Many corporations would rather hire from within, so they opt for upskilling their workforce. See how it can work \u00bb<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cWith the microcredential options, I can explore my interests while also building a portfolio of various specializations,\u201d says Melissa Whitney, a current Oregon State business of viral content creation microcredential<\/a> student.<\/p>\n

Many employers offer financial support for professional development through education, and some even These are a great way for employers to improve retention and hire from within. This allows students to focus more on school and less on finances<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So if you haven\u2019t spoken to your manager about how you\u2019re thinking of quitting your job, consider asking about opportunities. Beyond letting them know your intentions, your manager is likely to know a lot about organizational structure, internal openings and possible financial support for professional development.<\/p>\n

4. Build professional connections<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve likely heard the phrase, \u201cIt\u2019s not what<\/em> you know, it\u2019s who<\/em> you know.\u201d The reality of the idiom is that professional growth is more of a combination of the two. So while you’re building your practical knowledge in online coursework, you should be building your professional network, too.<\/p>\n

One of the great things about learning online with a university like Oregon State is that your classmates come from all stages of life, meaning your group project partners could work at your dream company. And the faculty you learn from are likely to have industry connections and share helpful life experience.<\/p>\n

Networking can help you discover your next career move, and being in a learning environment is one of the best places to make connections.<\/p>\n

5. Update your professional credentials<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve done the work. Now it\u2019s time to document all of the goals you\u2019ve met and any new credentials you\u2019ve earned.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re sharing a digital badge from a microcredential on your r\u00e9sum\u00e9, highlight the skills you\u2019ve gained, and consider putting them in perspective with examples of how you\u2019ve applied each one.<\/p>\n

Be sure that any updates you make to your professional documents are also reflected in your digital presence on sites like LinkedIn, Indeed or ZipRecruiter<\/a>. Many career-related sites have the option to let recruiters know you\u2019re open to work, so be sure to explore these options once you update your credentials.<\/p>\n

6. Quit your job when you’re ready<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t wait to take action because you\u2019re on the hunt for your dream job or ideal timing. No risk worth taking was ever 100% safe.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it\u2019s up to you to create an environment for career exploration for yourself through open communication and a learning mindset.<\/p>\n

Educating yourself and doing your due diligence is never going to hurt your professional opportunities.<\/p>\n

Ready to skill up?<\/p>\n

Explore Ecampus microcredentials<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

<\/span> 4<\/span> minute read<\/span><\/span>Deciding whether or not to quit your job is never an easy task. This piece takes a look at some preliminary steps you can take before you take the plunge. From improving professional skills to networking, more preparation for your next career move than you think can be done through online education.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[685,1,702,6,672,657],"tags":[697,655],"class_list":["post-2227","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advancing-your-career","category-all","category-division-of-ecampus","category-ecampus","category-learning-experience","category-resources","tag-alternative-credentials","tag-microcredentials"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-zV","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":301,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/justin-zweifel-master-natural-resources-oregon-state-university\/","url_meta":{"origin":2227,"position":0},"title":"Justin Zweifel, Master of Natural Resources | Oregon State University","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 18, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Justin Zweifel was looking for a competitive edge in the fisheries and wildlife job market, so he decided to pursue his Master of Natural Resources degree online with Oregon State Ecampus. 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