Changing Careers: : How to Start a New Career
How do you know when it is time to change careers? There are certain indicators with your job that should be used to determine the career change, these include: happiness at the job, potential for advancement for the job and if the job is in line with your goals.
Are you happy at the current job that you are working at, or do you dread getting up to go to work every single day? In the case that you are not happy, than it could be time to make a change in your employment that could improve your life. In the case that there is no opportunity for advancement within the position, yet you are seeking a higher paying and higher ranking job, than you perhaps should consider starting a new career. Lastly, if the career is not in line with the career goals that you have created for yourself, combined with the low potential for advancement it could be time to look for something new.
Although starting a new career can be terrifying, with thoughts of the pay cut and all – in reality, most people receive a pay increase when they have decided to start a new career. This pay increase, as well as the boosted morale and the fact that these individuals enjoy their job can lead a more fulfilled professional life.
The first step to starting a new career is to see what is out there and what is available to you with the means and resources that you currently encompass. Think about what options are available to you to immediately find a new career in without any additional education or training. These types of career changes make the transition as easy as possible when you are determined to have a new career without completely abandoning the job that you have put forth so much effort into through the duration of your career.
Alternatively, there are people that choose to take a completely different career path that may require additional training. Find out everything you can about the educational program and determine if it feasible for you to make the switch. Experts have said that in cases like this, the largest risks yield the largest rewards when it comes to changing careers. Think about the costs, the time and all other aspects which are associated with returning to school – are you able to return to school full time?
In the case that you are seeking a career that requires additional education, there are many small steps that can be taken to get you to your goal, without disrupting your life. Small steps include distance education or part-time and evening education to allow you to maintain your livelihood at the current job, while preparing for something better in the future. This type of approach to changing your career lowers the risk, but at the same time is an effective way to gain the same positive results from the experience.
Starting a new career can be terrifying, but this is not a good reason to stop yourself from following your dreams of a new career. There is always going to be fear of the unknown when it comes to stepping into a new workplace for the first time or learning new skills. It is important to realize that you shouldn’t worry; everything will become just as familiar as your last position, over a short period of time.