Tammy Jensen & Renea Livingston
November 04, 2024
Newsletter ArticleChange is inevitable. Sometimes, we are in control of and choose change, but sometimes, we are not. This is true of all parts of life, our work life included. Change is often uncomfortable and may bring along feelings of uncertainty or even fear. While it is seldom quick and easy, most of our worries about changing careers aren’t true.
If you want to become a doctor or lawyer, you’ll need one, but in the grand scheme of things, most jobs don’t have a legal requirement for a degree. Do some research to find out the requirements for the positions you are interested in. Many careers need a license or certification instead of a degree. Look for programs available locally or online. Some companies will consider experience in place of a degree.
As mentioned above, experience does matter. You likely have many transferable skills developed from what you’ve been doing that will carry over and support your success in a new career. Employers often look for adaptability and continuous learning. Being able to show how you’ve grown your skill set in the past and explaining how your current skills fit a different position will set you up for success.
Having an idea of where you want to go and how to get there is an advantage. But things seldom go exactly as planned, and progress doesn’t usually go in a straight line. Again, adaptability is a helpful trait. Build your network, increase skills, job shadow, try new things, and be ready to go in a different direction from what you first imagined. Set goals and work towards them, but be realistic and ready to set new goals or find a different way to reach them.
Maybe. But lots of people make a career change in order to make more money! It is also possible that you might make less right after you change but have the potential to make even more money as you gain experience in a new position. Consider total benefits packages and other things like time flexibility, whether or not you have to (or get to!) travel, the support and encouragement of managers or supervisors, and your satisfaction with the work. Depending on your skills, experience, and new career industry, you may not need to start “at the bottom.”
Gone are the days of company and employee loyalty. The average worker changes careers several times throughout their life. This is becoming increasingly true for more experienced workers. It may feel unfamiliar to you, and you might not see others in your social circles taking on such a change, but you don’t have to do it alone. Check for resources and support through extensions, job services, recruiting agencies, organizations, community colleges, or online. Also, keep in mind that many people we think of as successful didn’t find it until after the age of 40.
Whether self-chosen or the result of company changes, switching jobs and even entire careers is a normal experience. There is no perfect time to undertake it. Take stock of your own desires, preferences, knowledge, and skills. Find help and use available resources. Remember that many of our worries related to change are myths that hold us back.
In the words of George Eliot, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.”
Ready for that Career Change? Find your next step on AgCareers.com TODAY!
