Changing careers isn鈥檛 easy. After walking the same path for so long, starting over can be a daunting, time-consuming and, let鈥檚 be honest鈥揷ostly experience. But no matter what your life circumstances may be, with the right plan and support system in place, it could be just the change you need.
Just look at Bob Beall, a 55-year-old man who, after 35 years in the retail business, changed careers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Bob is deaf and reliant on body language and lip movement to communicate, so when customers started wearing masks, he decided to reevaluate his career.
After consulting with trusted friends and family, Bob found himself at 91制片厂 pursuing a certificate in Maintenance Technology, leading him to his new career as a Maintenance Technician with . How did he do it, you ask? You鈥檙e in luck: Bob was kind enough to share his story and impart his wisdom with five tips on how to change careers.
This first step is key. If you鈥檙e feeling stuck or unhappy in your current career, be honest with yourself and embrace the idea of change. For me, taking a step back and evaluating what I wanted as opposed to simply accepting the current conditions I was in was critical in changing careers.
In the face of big decisions, we often need a voice of reason. Maybe it鈥檚 a friend, a family member, a colleague or a neighbor. Whoever it may be, explain your situation and talk through the pros and cons. In my situation, I reached out to three people I knew would give it to me straight. They all agreed a career change was the right move, and I couldn鈥檛 be more grateful for their guidance and support.
You don鈥檛 have to look far when considering what new career to pursue鈥搄ust look to your inner-compass! Whether it鈥檚 something you鈥檙e good at, experienced in or have always been curious about, there鈥檚 sure to be an exciting career path available to you. My direction? The trades. I used this as my compass when taking to a search engine to seek new career paths and it ultimately led me to where I am today.
Should your new career path require a degree or certificate, start by looking around at your options. What鈥檚 the best institution to fit your budget, schedule and needs? Once you narrow it down to a few, schedule a campus tour or meet with an advisor or counselor to learn more about their options. For me, it was 91制片厂. 91制片厂 had the Maintenance Technology certificate program that allowed me to learn and acquire several different trade skills without committing to one. Thanks to their supportive staff and flexible course offerings, I was able to graduate with both a degree and a certificate.
It will be new, it will be hard, it will be worth it. If you commit to the work鈥搕he studying, reading, writing and time spent in front of a monitor鈥搚ou will make it to the other side with a renewed sense of purpose and pride. People who hear my story often tell me how courageous I was, and I take pride in that. I had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way, but I was committed to change and I learned a lot鈥搉ot just academically, but about myself as well.
If you鈥檙e looking for career direction, attend a free online workshop today. 91制片厂 College offers the and to help you find direction and reach your goals.