Just Like Starting Over: Understanding How To Make A Career Transition Later In Life

Whatever choice you make in life, when it comes to your career, if you are looking for a change in life from the stale career you currently have, there are some fundamental basics that you need to be aware of. It is not just a case of getting a degree and looking for work anymore. When you are choosing a career in a specific area or industry, you need to know exactly if the career is feasible for your needs, whether it is a way to keep you financially stable, or if it is fulfilling enough for you. You may wish to begin by educating yourself on what sorts of careers are currently in demand, and, as a result, what skills you need. But here are some steps to see you on your way.

Firstly, understand what your interests are. We, very easily, as people, fall into a trap in terms of picking a career that is very well-paid. The old saying, “choose something that you enjoy doing and you’ll never have to work a day in your life” applies here. There are many suitable online tools that can point you in the right direction of occupation based on what your personality is. You may find that you are a creative person although you’ve been working in commercial law for many years!

Secondly, understanding what employers need from employees in specific fields, so that you can choose the right courses, and learn the right skills by assessing the market that you want to work in. If there are demands or lack of demands for a certain type of role, you can learn to carve out a specific niche for yourself.

Thirdly, understanding what your educational needs are. In order to get your chosen career, gaining a new qualification may be the springboard to getting you an interview. If you wanted to become a financial advisor with a degree in drama, it would be very unlikely that you would get an interview! So by making sure that you get on the right cpa program you will have the correct credentials and make you look, on paper, like the type of person suited to their business needs.

Finally, understanding your financial commitments is something you need to be aware of. Before changing career there are many people that would encourage you to jump ship because it is your well-being that is suffering, and they have a point. But in jumping ship without having another ship to swim to is incredibly stressful. While you can have limited financial support, either in looking for work or looking for education, it might make a lot of sense to have money put aside for such an instance, in case there are unforeseen financial difficulties.

Changing career is a big leap, but it is a necessary one to secure the future of your happiness and feeling fulfilled. While there is, as they say, more than one way to skin a cat, you could intern or do unpaid work experience for example, obtaining a qualification in your new chosen career is a very good way to get a well-rounded view.

Post your thoughts

Connect with us on Facebook