Is It Too Late to Change Careers?

After spending some time in the workplace, you may find that your career isn’t meeting your expectations. It’s doubtful that anyone loves every aspect of their job, but if you are genuinely unhappy or feeling burned out, you may be ready for a change. Too many people stay in situations they dislike because they feel they are too old to make a transition. The good news is that it is unlikely that you have waited too long. However, there is no reason to waste any more time. When you are ready for a change, take the steps necessary to take that leap.

Take a Look at Your Finances

Before shaking your life up, set yourself up for success. Since you will be going into an unfamiliar situation, take the time to build up your emergency fund and lower your monthly expenses. Doing so can create a little breathing room in your finances while you look for work or take additional training. One painless way to lower your monthly expenses is to refinance your student loans. By refinancing your student loans with a private lender, you can shop for a loan that meets your needs, whether that means a lower rate for you or a longer repayment term.

Realize Your Feelings Aren’t Unique

The thought of starting over can be daunting, but many people do it. Whether it is changing careers entirely or moving into a different industry, most people will have several twists and turns on their career path. Rather than thinking of it as starting over, think of it as an alternate route. Expect some people in your life to criticize your choice. It can be hard to ignore negative comments but realize that only you understand how you feel about your job and what you want from life. Don’t spend time trying to change anyone’s mind. Instead, thank them for their concern and continue with your plans.

Know What You Want

There are two thoughts you may have about your current job. You may want to make a change because you are passionate about a different career and want to make that change, or you may not have a clear idea of what you want, but you know you don’t want to continue with what you are doing. The way you approach your transition will depend on which direction you are coming from. If you know what you want, start looking at job descriptions to see what skills you have and where you need to focus your training.

If you aren’t sure what you want, your task is more challenging. Think of what you enjoy about your job and the parts you don’t care for. Visiting with a career counselor or even talking to friends about their jobs can help open your eyes to paths you hadn’t considered. Once you have a better idea of how you want to focus your energies, research the type of additional training you need to meet your goal. The decision of whether or not you should return to school for additional training is highly personal. For some careers, such as nursing, a career-related degree is mandatory. For others, you can make the transition without returning to school.