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It’s never too late to change. That means it’s never too late to change careers no matter where you are in your life. A lot of people may be a bit scared to change their professional course, but mainly because they feel they won’t get hired at a new job because they are closer to retirement or because their past skills won’t make them qualify for a new job in a new industry. Although those theories hold weight, it is never too late to get where you want to be in life. Here are a few careers you can transition into right before retirement or to get a foot in the door before college.
Certified Nursing Assistant
Even if you are coming from a background in accounting, if you want to get into the medical field, being a certified nursing assistant is a great start. By going into a CNA program, you can easily get certified and start working underneath nurses and doctors right out of your program. Your duties will be helping patients with their daily needs like bathing, getting around, and changing linens, but this job will also give you clinical hours if you want to move up the nursing ladder. This is also a great way to get prerequisites if you want to eventually become a physician’s assistant.
Dental Assistant
Another great medical field to transition into is dentistry. You can get certified as a dental assistant and assist dentists and hygienists in their everyday work lives. A dental assistant program is easy to find and sign up for. Once hired, you will be able to learn on the job how dentistry works and you may even pick up a lot of medical knowledge. If you eventually want to become a hygienist or even a dentist, you will have the hours, expertise, and connections to apply to school and further your education and your career.
Paralegal
If law is a career you want to jump into, becoming a paralegal is a great way to get in on the bottom floor and start working your way up. As a paralegal you will learn how the law works and how lawyers work. Paralegals prepare documents, do research, and assist lawyers in their everyday needs and duties. This hands-on experience will help you be involved in the world of law and will help you if you eventually want to go to law school. You will already know a lot about the law your firm practices and you will have already seen a lot firsthand that will help you follow through on your law dreams.
Teacher’s Aid
Teachers’ aids are on the frontlines with educators helping in the classroom. If you want to transition into becoming an educator, most teachers’ aids only need a college education and clean background check to get hired. If education is where you are headed then this is a great place to start before going off to a college program or alternate program to get certified.