You’ve been doing your job well for several years. It’s fine, but that’s really all you can say about it. You go in, sit at your desk all day and then go home. The salary gets you by. The people are nice enough and you go for drinks every so often. The most exciting thing that happens in your day is the arrival of the sandwiches at lunch.
You need to have a rethink.
The average age of retirement is 62 and, unless you are ticking off the last couple of years, you definitely need to consider what you are going to do with that time. If you start work at 21, that’s a significant chunk of your life to be excited about sandwiches for. And when you think of it like that, it’s clear that you need to do something much more special with your life.
One of the main reasons that people tend to stay in dead-end jobs is that they have no idea what to move on to or how to get there. It’s natural to be a bit scared of change but having a little courage and taking the plunge will make a huge difference to your self-value, your confidence and to the world.
Is a Career Change Right For You?
Before you chuck it all for a new industry, do your research. And don’t make these 10 career change mistakes. But if you got past that part and still see potential, take these next steps to ready yourself for that next career move.
Identify the Qualifications that Appeal to You
The first step to figuring out a career move is looking at various courses and degrees that might appeal to you. Getting qualified is a great way to burst onto your new scene and it will give you a chance to see whether a job is suited to you. Even if you don’t end up using your new qualification to get into a new field, it might show your boss that you are determined to climb the ladder and encourage them to give you new challenges.
If you need to work while you study, online courses like an online masters in school counseling or a business degree are really popular options. This way you can work at your own pace and in your own time and you won’t be forced to move in order to study. However, do look at the value of the course before you agree to start. Look at the accreditations the school has and where the course could lead you before you pay.
Think About Your Current Skills and What You Want to Develop
The best way to choose a course is always to go with your main interests as this will keep your attention and lead to a much more fulfilling role. As you already know, there’s no point in doing something you don’t enjoy for your whole life.
Do think about your current skill sets and what you would like to develop. You will need to be prepared to work hard and do plenty of research on your own to make the most of this type of course. While you might assume that vocational courses are best, you can also do more academic courses if you want to. These may not lead directly to a new career but they will give you the time to think about what you really want and indulge your passions while you can.
