Not everyone is thrilled about change. Many people like the comfort and predictability of a single career during their lifetime, but considering the current economy, few can rely on such a professional direction. In fact, changing careers has become more available and encouraged than ever before, as we now have access to so many different learning platforms, online and offline, all kinds of mentorship opportunities, and not to mention companies that are eager to hire based on more than just your academic knowledge.
Living in a world that inspires people to start a career literally out of thin air by transforming a hobby into a lucrative business means that your pursuit for a change can be both successful and quite profitable. It all depends on how you tackle the process. Let’s dive into the top five ways you can secure your own career change, adapt to the new profession, and find creative ways to uncover your untapped professional skills and abilities.
Assess your transferable skills
Before you start chasing after a seemingly impossible dream job only to realize you’d need to make substantial investments you don’t have, it’s necessary to assess what you can leverage in your new field of work. Do you have any transferable skills today that you can use in different, lucrative and in-demand industries? What kind of skills can you add to your resume when you’re applying for an internship or a course?
Whether you’re a good negotiator, know how to use different programming languages, or know your way around social media – all of these can come in handy when you’re evaluating the job market, looking for jobs that are in demand, and narrowing down your own opportunities.
Noble professions that make a difference
People who want a change of pace are often the ones who have been sitting on the sidelines for so long that they feel like they’re not contributing all that much. In such instances, you can consider pursuing a noble career that involves helping others in many different ways.
While you cannot complete medical school too late in life (it’s not only extremely demanding, but also costs a fortune), you can find nursing, EMT, and care-taking professions that call for a few months or years of training and certification. You can also work for a nonprofit organization in a position that is closely linked to your current skill set, allowing you to transition more easily and still make a difference.
Take up an apprenticeship for new skills
Too many people feel it’s “too late” to pick up a new practical skill that is both lucrative and comes with a high satisfaction rate. This is where you can consider a mature age apprenticeship in a field that you find appealing, be it carpentry, plumbing, landscaping, or engineering. Even if you’re older than 21, you can build a career in such useful and in-demand sectors in your region.
Apprenticeships are extremely useful as they come with perks like paid training and post-training employment with the organization that has provided the training to begin with. You can also get high-level certification that will help you find other job opportunities later, too.
Find a dedicated coach or mentor
For many professions, it’s necessary to be on the site and learn in person from experts, which is the case with apprenticeships. Other careers, especially digital ones, have a little more flexibility in terms of where you are and how quickly you pick up the new knowledge.
If you want to try your hand at YouTube marketing, social media management, SEO, or content writing, you can find an online course that comes with a certification or a mentor that can guide you through the process. It still requires plenty of dedication and learning, but you need to be prepared if you want to join such a highly competitive digital environment.
Start with a part-time opportunity
Some careers happen spontaneously when someone notices your inclinations towards a specific field, or they learn that you have well-developed skills that could be helpful in their own professional world. Many people start doing something out of pure curiosity, which is often how influencers are made, as they join social media wanting to communicate, learn, and share their experiences, only to find themselves building a huge following.
The best thing about such hobby-based professional opportunities is that you’re not required to dive in. You can try it out as a side hustle, see how it fits in with your personality, if you feel good working on that career, and if you have developed well enough to let go of your current job. This helps you stay in your secure job while you’re growing your part-time career until it’s ready to become a full-time occupation.
Changing your career can be a challenge, but an exciting one. You can learn more about yourself and your values by looking into new professional opportunities. Instead of staying stuck in a single profession, this is a way to enrich your life, secure your financial stability, and open new doors in the business world for yourself. Once you do change your career, you’ll be much better equipped to change it again in the future, if you find yourself feeling like happiness lies elsewhere.
