Career Anxiety at Ages 22–27 – When We Feel Left Behind
Dec 31, 2025 |
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Career anxiety is quietly wearing down young people aged 22–27 as age pressure, constant comparison, and social expectations overlap. This article analyzes the psychological roots of the issue and presents HR insights from HRI Vietnam.
Table of Contents
Career anxiety tends to surface most strongly between the ages of 22 and 27, when young people begin comparing themselves to friends, colleagues, and the “milestones of success” displayed on social media. Some people seem settled, some are advancing quickly, while you may still be unsure whether you’re moving in the right direction or simply standing still. The feeling of being left behind is not loud, but it quietly erodes confidence, leading many young people to question their choices and their own abilities.
1. Career anxiety and age pressure at 22–27
This state usually doesn’t appear when you’re unemployed. It shows up when you do have a job, but aren’t sure it’s the right one. Ages 22–27 are when age pressure starts to weigh heavily: friends are getting promoted, social media is full of achievements, while you’re still wrestling with the question, “What am I doing with my life?”
The pressure doesn’t come from being incapable, but from the feeling that you haven’t yet become the “version you’re supposed to be” at this age. When expectations from society, family, and yourself overlap, career anxiety becomes a background state—always there, even when it’s quiet.
Career anxiety commonly occurs between the ages of 22 and 27.
2. Why does career anxiety flare up so easily in young people?
Between 22 and 27, comparison becomes more intense. It’s not just about income, but about speed of growth. Social media unintentionally turns every day into a progress check. When others seem to be “moving faster,” age pressure pushes you to doubt your own choices.
Psychologically, the brain at this stage is highly sensitive to social evaluation. Each unfavorable comparison reinforces insecurity. This mental state isn’t caused by a lack of ability, but by a lack of reassurance that the path you’re on is valid.
3. When age pressure blurs your sense of self-worth
Many young people don’t actually hate their jobs—they hate the feeling of standing still. Age pressure makes every decision feel heavy: changing jobs feels like “jumping around,” staying feels like “getting stuck.” Every option comes with the fear of missing out, and career anxiety grows in that in-between space.
What’s dangerous is that you start measuring yourself by timelines instead of by process. At that point, every effort is overshadowed by the question, “Why am I still not settled?”
Career anxiety places significant pressure on young people.
4. Escaping career anxiety isn’t about quick answers
There’s no five-step formula to eliminate career anxiety. What matters more is allowing yourself to slow down without guilt. Ages 22–27 are not a sprint. Trying, failing, and adjusting doesn’t mean you’re lost—it means you’re learning how to position yourself.
When you stop forcing yourself to be “right immediately,” age pressure softens. And when the pressure eases, you finally have the space to see what you truly want—rather than what society expects.
5. HRI Vietnam’s perspective on career anxiety among young people
From the perspective of HRI Vietnam-a company consistently ranked among the Top 10 Headhunting firms in Vietnam-career anxiety among the 22–27 age group has become increasingly common. Many candidates are not lacking in capability, but in trust in their own journey due to age pressure and constant comparison.
HRI observes that both businesses and young professionals need a more humane approach to talent management-one that evaluates long-term potential rather than focusing solely on age or years of experience. When career anxiety is understood correctly, young people can grow sustainably instead of being trapped in cycles of self-doubt.
This mental state is not a sign of failure, but a signal that you take your life seriously. At ages 22–27, uncertainty does not mean you’re behind. When age pressure is set down, that anxiety will gradually give way to clarity-little by little, at your own pace.
