How to know if a career change is right for you, and how to change career

Do you experience the Sunday evening blues, when the thought of the working week ahead starts to get you down? Worse still, do you dread going into work every day? If so, it is time to start exploring your options for a change of career.

If you are contemplating a career change, then you are far from alone. A 2022 survey found that 52% of Americans are currently considering a career change, and research into job satisfaction supports this finding. Recent studies into job satisfaction have shown that the numbers of people satisfied or extremely satisfied in their current job range from as low as 35% up to 49%. For example, research by Harris Interactive found that just 45% of people interviewed were happy with the job they currently do. It seems clear from these studies that more than half of the people in work are unhappy in their current role.

If you are not satisfied with the role you are currently working in, it may be that you just need a change of job, or it may be more than that, and you may be in need of a complete change of career.

 

Signs that you need a change 

  • You are bored in your current role
  • You don’t feel supported at work
  • The pay does not meet your needs
  • There are no opportunities for progression

 

If you answer yes to any or all of the above, it could be the case that you simply need to move to a similar role working for another organization. If your job does not pay as much as you would like, you may wish to continue working in the same field but secure more pay with a promotion or by moving to a competitor. Likewise, if the culture of the organization doesn’t suit you, you may find that you can join another organization where you feel comfortable and supported by management and the team. However, it could mean that you are ready for a complete change of career. So, how do you tell the difference?

 

Signs that you need a change of career

You have tried moving to a similar role in another organization and you are still not happy with the work you are doing.

You are earning at least as much money as you need, but you don’t have a feeling of job satisfaction.

You get on well with your colleagues and enjoy the company culture, but you still feel that something is missing.

You don’t feel fulfilled by the work you do. Very often, this means that you don’t feel that you are making a difference to people’s lives, so the work you do does not give you a sense of satisfaction.

There are good opportunities for career advancement in your current workplace, but you don’t feel that this is enough to keep you motivated.

You are simply going through the motions at work. If you find yourself operating on autopilot, you cannot be engaged in your role.

If you can tick a lot of boxes from the signs detailed above, then you might feel that you urgently need a change of career. However, rather than rushing into another role, this is the moment to take time to consider all your options and work out what career will truly be right for you and give you the sense of fulfillment you hope for.

 

What career change is right for me?

If you don’t have a new career in mind, the first thing you will need to do is take some time out to consider what you will do instead of your current role. When you are planning a career change, it makes sense to play to your strengths. Carry out a skills assessment on yourself. If you have a friend, family member or colleague who can help you with this, then so much the better. List the skills and experience you have acquired in your career to date, as well as any experience from other aspects of your life.

Brainstorm possibilities for new career options and allow yourself to be creative in your ideas. What do you love to do? Any career change will involve some upheaval, and you may encounter challenges along the way, but you will find these much easier to overcome if you have decided on a new career doing something you love. A career change is your opportunity to move from doing something that is just a job, to working in a role that you find rewarding and fulfilling, and a role that you feel proud to do.

Don’t be limited to career choices that require the same skill  set as your current employment. If you know that you have skills and strengths that you are not currently using at work, these could be the very skills that you would enjoy using in a new career. For example, if you work in a non-customer-facing role, but you know from your life outside work that you are good with people and enjoy helping others, you might want to consider a career where you have direct contact with clients, such as social care. Social work is an excellent choice if you are looking for a more rewarding career, as you support people through a range of life changes and challenges, from adoption to mental health issues.

Evaluate your current role to identify which aspects you like and which you dislike, focusing on aspects that are important to you.

 

You might want to consider aspects such as:

  • Content of your role
  • Hours/location/flexibility
  • Culture of the workplace
  • People you work with
  • Pay and other benefits
  • Prospects for development and promotion
  • Any other aspects that are important to you

 

As you consider options for your new career, revisit the criteria you had come up with for evaluating your current role. Assess how well each role you are considering would meet the wants and needs you have listed.

 

How to change career

If you are serious about changing your career, you need to manage the process to make sure that you realize your dreams. Start by developing an action plan for your career change and stick to it. Work out what your goals are. Where do you want your career to be in, two, three or five years’ time? Set realistic and measurable goals.

Once you understand your goals, you can work out what you need to do to achieve them. Break down longer-term goals into smaller tasks and intermediate milestones. Achieving small victories will keep you motivated on your path to your new career. As you start to implement your plan, track your progress against the goals you have set.

When you have identified the field you would like to move into, you can compare your skillset to the requirements for new roles and work out whether there are any gaps to fill before you make your move into a new field of work.

 

Gain new qualifications

In some cases, it is possible to make a career change without a degree. However, for some career choices, you will find that it is a requirement, or at least easier, to get a new qualification before you make the transition into a new career. For example, if you have set your sights on a career in social work and you do not have a relevant qualification, you will need to study for a degree in social work if you want to have the best opportunity for advancement in your new career. If you are a graduate, a master’s in social work will give you the broadest range of opportunities in the social care sector.

If there is a shortfall between the qualifications you already have and the qualifications you will need for a new career, you will need to explore the options available for returning to studying. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another subject, a postgraduate degree, specializing in your new field, will be a major step in changing your career.

For a career move into social work, the Online Master of Social Work degree from Keuka College is ideal. The degree is 100% online and clinical placements are arranged local to your area, so no matter where you live in the US, this degree can work for you. You can complete the Master of Social Work postgraduate degree in just three years.

 

Finances for your career change

Can you pay for your studies? If money is an issue, get advice on whether there is any financial support available, such as loans or scholarships. The school you are considering applying to may be able to advise you on your options for funding the course.

You will also need to consider how you study. If you study full-time, then you have the advantage of completing your course sooner. However, full-time studies leave you with less time to earn money through the duration of your course. Part-time courses give you more earning capacity, and give you greater flexibility to accommodate other commitments, but will take more years to complete. Online courses give you the highest level of flexibility and avoid the costs of commuting or relocating.

 

Update your personal brand

Update your resume, highlighting the skills, experience and qualifications you have that are relevant to the new career you have chosen. Many skills are transferable from one career type to another. Often, experience that, at first glance, doesn’t seem relevant to the new career may actually have helped you acquire skills that will be of use when you make the career shift.

When reviewing your skills, don’t limit yourself to your professional life. Voluntary roles, unpaid care work and pastimes can all contribute to your skill set and give future employers evidence that you have more depth of experience.

 

Draw on your networks

Make use of your professional networks for advice on developing new skills and to help you find opportunities to try out and gain relevant experience and job openings in your new field of work. You may even land your dream job through LinkedIn or other professional networking sites. Make sure that your profile is up to date. Ask colleagues to support you with endorsements, and add any recent experience and training to your profile.

 

Volunteering

Taking on a voluntary role can be a good route for acquiring new skills and experience that could serve you well when looking for work in a new sector. It is also an opportunity to expand your professional network. In some cases, volunteering for an organization can lead to a paid job offer within the same organization.

It is important to treat volunteering opportunities with the same enthusiasm and commitment that you would show for a paid job. This is your chance to make a good impression, and it is your opportunity to gain valuable experience that will enrich your resume.

You can find volunteering opportunities in the US online through a range of sites, such as Volunteer Match. This site lists volunteering opportunities across the US. For future employers, volunteering demonstrates a commitment to personal development and to having a successful transition into your new career.

 

When to change career

Once you have decided that you want a career change, you need to work out when you will be able to start your move. Planning is important for a smooth career shift, particularly if you have dependents to consider. Don’t be put off by your age or by other commitments. It is never too late to resume studying, and many people combine studying with work. Around 58% of students are in employment while studying, and 26% are raising a family at the same time as studying.

Even if you need a little time to plan your finances and get everything prepared for applying to resume your studies, it does not have to delay your start for long. Many online degree courses have several intakes per year, so you will soon be able to start studying for your new career.

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