Is it okay to essentially 'hide' your career ambitions for a stable job?
I'm currently in a field that pays the bills and offers decent stability, but it's not where my true passion lies. I have a long-term goal for a completely different career that would require a significant pivot, more schooling, and likely a pay cut initially. The problem is, I'm finding it hard to openly pursue this ambition while still performing well in my current job. I've been networking quietly, taking online courses on the side, and even volunteering a bit in my desired field. But I feel like I'm living a double life. My current colleagues and manager see me as fully invested, and I'm worried that if I express my desire to switch, I'll be seen as less committed, or worse, get passed over for opportunities here. Has anyone else navigated this? How do you keep your current job happy and secure while secretly plotting your escape? Is it ethical to essentially 'hide' your true career path from your current employer until you're ready to make the leap? I don't want to burn bridges, but I also don't want to get stuck.