A change in career can be daunting – especially if you’ve spent your whole life dedicated to one career. However, never is it too late to get out of a career you’re not interested in and pursue a new one. People of all ages make drastic career shifts – even those in their 40s and 50s. It’s better to start from the bottom and be happy than continue moving along a career path that doesn’t motivate you only to be unhappy forever. To make sure your career change is a success, here are several tips that could be worth following.
Find your calling
You should be certain that your new career is definitely going to be better. Know exactly what it is you want in a job – try to keep some of the pros of your current career whilst also eliminating the cons. For instance, if you no longer want to be a nurse because of the long and unsociable hours, make sure that you’re not sacrificing any perks of your current nursing career such as the sense of helping people. A career coach may be able to help you find your calling if you haven’t got any ideas.
Use online courses to work around commitments
Taking up a new career may require learning new skills and qualifications. Returning to education to get these skills and qualifications can be difficult if you have commitments such as kids or a home to run. Online courses such as this bookkeeping course online may be a way around this – such courses can be studied flexibly in your own time. You may even be able to continue working a job whilst doing this course so that you don’t lose out on income as you study.
Take advantage of transferable skills
Some careers can require years of education and progression to achieve. For example, it can take seven years to study as a vet. You may feel like you’re throwing this all down the drain by changing career – however, this knowledge and experience doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Some of it could still be valuable in your new career. For instance, consider soft skills you may have developed that are essential to many careers such as problem-solving, teamwork skills and organization. Even if you’re moving from a career in law to a career as a teacher, there may still be skills that you can use such as time management and negotiation skills.
Alternatively, you may be able to make a more gradual career change that requires some of your current skills and education but also contains some of the elements of your new dream career. If you currently work in engineering but have an urge to switch to journalism, you may be able to bridge the gap by writing as a journalist for an engineering magazine.
Prepare to take a temporary pay cut
Having to change career could mean starting from the bottom – which could mean taking a temporary pay cut whilst you build your career back up. This can be one of the hardest things to prepare for and could mean making a few cutbacks. Remember that these will only be temporary and could be worth the improved mental wellbeing of your new career. Your mental health is more important than your wealth.
Make new friends
Knowing the right people could help you to make a career shift. Try attending networking events where you may meet people in your dream career. The idea that ‘it’s not what you know but who you know’ has some truth in it.
