Nationwide — If your current role is no longer fulfilling, or you have dedicated many years to an industry and enjoyed little success, you might dream of switching occupations. Once you reach your 30s, you might believe it is too late to switch careers. Yet, you’re still at the beginning of your career and have many decades in front of you.
Find the Right Online Program
While you might be eager to change occupations, a lack of qualifications or experience could be standing in your way. Rather than believing your desired career is a pipe dream, you should find the right online programs to help you to earn a degree at a time and place that suits you. For example, if you dream of becoming a nurse practitioner, you’ll first need to gain a bachelor’s degree in nursing and then an MSN degree. You also can rest assured that you will receive a quality education on an online program, so you’ll possess the knowledge and skills to flourish in the role. While it can take time and will require much effort, it could help you to enter your dream career and leave your current position behind forever.
Tap into Your Passions
If you hate your current role but are unsure about the best career path for you, look outside your job for inspiration. For example, if you love helping people in your spare time, you could have the qualities of a great nurse, social worker, or mental health counselor. Your hobbies could also pinpoint your dream industry. For example, if you publish a blog in your spare time, you could enjoy career satisfaction in digital marketing.
Own Your Previous Experience
You might believe your past job experience could hold you back in a new career, but it could work in your favor. For example, if you have leadership experience, it could help you to enter a new occupation at a higher level, as you could possess valuable management skills that an employer is looking for in a candidate.
Review your current career and think about the skills and experience you have gained that could be viewed as an asset in your desired sector. You could offer a fresh perspective on an industry or may have helped to improve a failing department, which could impress a hiring manager.
Make an Informed Choice on a Career
The last thing you will want is to change your career only to experience the same dissatisfaction. Aim to make an informed decision before you apply for a vacancy or program.
For example, you could learn more about a career by:
· Scheduling informational interviews
· Researching a career’s responsibilities and daily duties
· Attending networking events
· Building contacts in your industry and asking questions
The above tactics could provide you with the confidence to embark on a more rewarding career in a different industry. If you fail to make an informed choice, you could dream of changing your job again in your 40s or 50s.
Don’t Rush in
You mustn’t rush in when attempting to change careers. As you might be eager to leave your current job behind for good, you might be willing to accept the first job that comes your way. Instead, you must take the time to learn more about a position, the brand, company culture, and the working hours.
If you accept a new job at an organization that treats you like a number and requires you to work countless hours each week, it could ruin your perception of an industry. Dedicate time to learning more about a position and the brand, and don’t forget to ask many questions during an interview to ensure it’s the right role for you.
Conclusion
It’s never too late to change your career. You will likely have another 30 years of hard work in front of you. Rather than wasting your life in a role that brings you next to no joy, take the steps to switch careers.
While the thought of starting over can be daunting, gaining new qualifications and growing your skills could be the best decision you ever make. It could result in you entering a new position with greater daily job satisfaction, more career prospects, and a larger annual salary.