Making a career change: Why, How, When

If you agree with the philosophy that time is your most precious resource, you’re likely to agree that making every minute count are words to live by.  And when you consider that the average person spends over five million of those precious minutes at work it’s safe to say that being happy with what you do for a living ranks pretty high on the scale of how to live your best life. What do you do if you’re among the folks who feel the daily grind of your current career is just a little too grinding? Do you stay stuck for the remainder of your five million minutes, or do you take the leap and make a career change? Fortunately, we’ve got some tips for helping you navigate the change to a career that makes the most of the time you spend working for a living.

Tip 1 – Ask yourself why you want a change.

To know where you want to go, you need to ask yourself why you want to leave your current job in the first place. Is it the actual work you’re doing? Your schedule? The work environment? If you don’t identify why you aren’t happy in your current role, it will be hard to take the next step to finding a role you are happy with.

Tip 2 – Brainstorm and research.

You know you don’t want to do what you’ve been doing. But what are your interests? Think about a career you wouldn’t mind getting out of bed for every day, what that career potentially pays, and what the job market looks like. After all, it is about earning a living. Ultimately, listen to your gut about what you see yourself doing and research what steps you need to reach your goal.

Tip 3 – Figure out how you get there.

Determine what skills you currently have and what skills you need to change your career. That means doing your homework on what qualifications and training might be required for the career you’re contemplating. Look for training programs and schools in your area and ask questions! After all, it’s a big decision, and getting advice and information from people who already work or train others in the industry you’re looking at can put you on the right track right out of the gate.

Tip 4 – Take action!

Now that you’ve gathered all the information, put your plans into action. Consider when you want to be working in your new career path and think about what you’ll need to put in place to make your dream a reality. If you have a family, consider options for getting your training that are manageable for your lifestyle. Most programs offer some flexible options and depending on your chosen career path, many training courses are offered online in virtual classrooms. Talk to a career counselor or the admissions department at the school you’re considering and find out what financial aid options may be available to you. But the most important thing? Take the first step. It might be the hardest, but it will also be behind you once you’ve taken it!

No matter what your situation is, it’s a tough decision to switch careers and you might be a little (or even a lot) apprehensive to rock the boat that is your life. But they’re your minutes! Why not spend them doing something that brings you a whole lot more happiness in the long run? If you’re considering what’s next for your future, a great place to start is by checking out the programs at Summit College. With Allied Health, Technical and Trade and Business Programs, Summit offers a variety of options to choose from. Transform your life by taking your career to the next level today. Contact us now to learn more or to schedule a consultation with our admissions department.

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