I’m pretty sure this is a familiar spot for many people…you work so hard for 3 or 4+ years for a degree, graduate, maybe work a little and then BAM – it hits you. You really can’t see yourself as a [insert job title here] for the rest of your life. For some, it might happen even as a junior or senior in college.
Once you allow yourself to realize that there is something else out there for you, what should be your next move? Here are a few options that may work for you!
Back to School
This is typically the first thought and place people look at when they are looking to get into a new career. Although you might not be able to do the traditional four-year degree, more and more institutions are offering multiple other ways to be able to receive a degree or certification. There are night classes, online classes, part-time, and weekends. A lot of places are rolling out degree and certification programs that are specifically geared towards people who are looking to finish as quickly as possible, while spending a minimal amount of time.
Another school option to look into would be programs that allow you to work for the institution you want to receive a degree from – in this situation; the school would typically pay for your degree (generally a Masters or PhD) or give you a stipend to compensate. The work you do for the institution may also give you experience that is vital for the new position that you want.
While it could take some time to find and figure out the program that best fits your schedule and budget, this is definitely a popular choice for many people.
Your Current Employer
While you may not enjoy your current position, if you’ve been with that company for a while and have a good rapport with them, they may be willing and able to train you in another area. This option may also work as a stepping stone to your new career – if this new area gives you experience and will allow you to get to the job you absolutely do want, you’ll be able to showcase the “stepping stone job” on your resume and may be able to get the new career you want without going back to school. This leads into the next option –
Experience
Depending on what you want to do, you might be able to simply gain the experience they are looking for in order to clinch the job. Want to be an event coordinator? Try finding an organization looking for a volunteer event coordinator or a part-time job working as one. There are a lot of places interested in volunteers to run specific things and will provide training to do the job. Once you figure out what you want your new career in, search out options that allow you to gain the experience you would need to do for your new job. Along with that are –
Internships/Externships
Both options are a great way to gain the experience and get a first-hand look at what you would be doing for that position you want. Some internships are unpaid, which may or may not matter to you. Typically, these positions are only for a few months, but if the company believes you are a good fit and what they are looking for, it could lead to a job with them!
While all of these options do take time, it’s worth it in the end when you have that new career!
Are you making any career changes currently or have you ever? What is or was your plan to get to that new position? Do you have any other suggestions for people looking to switch careers?
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I personally haven’t, but Greg has. He got his first bachelor’s degree in theatre arts….Doh! He went back to school to get a mortuary degree.
Holly at ClubThrifty Theatre arts can be a tricky one! It was a big undergrad degree at my university and it’s been interesting to see what my friends have ended up doing with that major.
A mortuary degree sounds absolutely fascinating to me! Haha, that is so interesting, I didn’t even know that they offered a degree in that field – but it makes total sense! ;)
I never attended college, never got a degree, and wouldn’t worry for a minute about switching career paths and learning something new. I’m sure it would take some sort of advanced learning, but with all the certification and training options out there I know I could make it happen.
fipilgrim Definitely! There are so many options, as long as you are willing to put in the work, you’ll find something that works for you!
I’m lucky in that I figured out what I wanted to do with my life in the 8th grade. Computer science degree in hand I’ve now worked at my first and only employer (as an adult college graduate) for over 17 years. :) Of course, there is this second career thing I’ve got going on…..
DebtChronicles Haha, ohhh that second career thing! ;)
And you knew in 8th grade?! That’s amazing! My siblings were pretty set on what they wanted to do too, but me….not so much! :)
This was something I had to do as my undergrad is in History…yea not much to do if you don’t plan to tach, work in a museum or practice law. I ended up going back to get an MBA in Finance and wish I would’ve gone that route in the first place.
FrugalRules I have a friend who did History as his undergrad too…he now works in PR, haha. You have an MBA in Finance?! I never would have guessed…! ;)
Like John FrugalRules said, I kinda had to go through this by default with a history degree. I didn’t want to teach and I wasn’t interested in going to graduate school, so I had to figure out how I was going to get into a career after graduation that had nothing to do with my degree. For me, it was the current employer route – I worked as an administrative assistant in college, and was able to gain more experience with that company before I switched to a job with another business that was more operations-focused. I’m on the fence as to whether or not I wish I had gotten a different degree.. I actually enjoyed school, but it sure made the job search difficult!
CSMillennial FrugalRules Are you thinking about getting another degree then? I enjoy school too, maybe a little TOO much…I was a triple major and am now back getting an MBA, haha!
I started doing finance and then dropped out in my junior year and then later went back to school and did nursing. Totally different fields. I can tell you after high school, I was very indecisive on what to do though.
BorrowedCents I was very indecisive on what to do after high school as well; both of my siblings were decided, went, and got done. I, however, was all over the place! My extended family all thought I was going to do nursing and sometimes I still wonder why I didn’t go that route – it seems like a ton of work, but the reward from helping people must feel pretty great!
I received a degree in Business Administration and didn’t really use it. Then 10 years later when back and got my MBA with a specialization in eCommerce which really helped with my career I did it at night and on weekends. It can be done and it helps to have a supportive spouse (if married).
KyleJames1 A good support system is definitely something that really helps to have when going back!
I realized that I didn’t like the marketing aspect of my degree. It wasn’t for me. Instead of going back to school, I just taught myself a different skill. That is how I got my current job and I continually learn new things in order to expand. That works out the best for me.
DebtRoundUp Being able to expand your skill set is a great way to be able to not only find new jobs, but also go farther in your current position!
I am in a bit of a weird situation where I do want to do what I went to college for, but there are really no job opportunities where I live. I had been planning on moving with my parents once I graduated, but plans changed a bit and got delayed. I am hoping to move next year and pursue opportunities in law enforcement. It did make my initial job search difficult – I ended up applying for receptionist positions, got one, and was promoted shortly thereafter.
JourneytoSaving Sometimes, it seems like the timing is off just a bit so you have to be patient to make it work – good luck with the law enforcement stuff! I’m thinking you’re a pretty good worker to have gotten a promotion quickly after starting, good for you!
I was a Drama major in university, received a post-grad diploma in Arts Management, and then worked for 4 years as a Theatre Educator/Administrator – and then in September I started working in Academic Support at a college.
I had a hard time getting back into Academic Supports (I worked 4 years part time in the field while in University myself) because my CV was so “arts focused”. My advice for people looking to switch would be to “dumb it down” or remove the industry lingo from you old field as much as possible (without taking away from your credibility/experience/education of course). As soon as I did that, the places I was applying to could see that I had the skills they needed.
mylifeiguess That’s a really interesting point about the jargon! Good to know.
I think life is too short to have a career in a job you hate, but if you racked up loans to get the degree, you might have to do it for a while if there are no better paying options. If your degree makes good money, you could save like a fiend and “retire” in 10 to 12 years.
I know so many people in my industry, acting, who aren’t happy with the direction of their career a year or two after graduating so they go back for a masters IN THE SAME FIELD. I don’t get it. If you want to teach, sure. But getting a masters in acting isn’t going to suddenly book you more work.
brokeandbeau You raise a great point. Going to grad school definitely won’t help in the acting field! I’d only go if I wanted to teach/do research or if I wanted to change the field I was working in.
I agree with Kim. Life is way too short to be stuck in a career you hate. I never finished college, but If I had I don’t think I would’ve wanted to stay in the field I got my degree in.
I knew a guy who was a civil engineer and then went back to school to be an accountant. He ended up with a lot of debt, but getting into accounting and getting a CPA requires a completely different set of classes than that of an engineer.
Money Life and More That and unless you have a employer lined up to bring you on, most companies resume filter software will trash your resume unless you have the required degree. I know that is a big danger for anyone getting into software programming. You can volunteer or do self coding to easily get the experience. You really need an inside connection to explain you have the experience in lieu of a degree though.
There’s also the option of trying to get enough side hustles going on (blogging, rental properties, etc) to pay the bills. However, this can certainly take a long time to implement and while you’re waiting you’ll probably have to stick with the job or try some of the suggestions that you have mentioned.
I believe so much in being able to give up on a career that’s not working for you — as long as you have the knowledge and building blocks in place to make that leap. My husband decided that being a lawyer wasn’t what he wanted, and taught himself how to program software. 6 years later, he’s in a job he loves and hasn’t looked back!
I feel fortunate to have been a journalism and theater double major. No matter what I do after my current job (PR), it will almost certainly utilize skills i learned in undergrad. Learning how to write and present yourself well are invaluable skills.
This is exactly what happened to me. After a couple work terms, I realized I didn’t want to be a chemist for the rest of my life. However, I had some great experience working for the intramural sports organization on campus and turned my experience with events and leagues into a job with the 2010 Olympics. Strangely enough, I’m back working for a scientific organization now, but on the business/management side of things. Life is funny sometimes.
I would 100% advocate for people to get some experience before going back to school or paying for some other kind of training. That doesn’t have to be full on-the-job experience, but something to give yourself a taste for whether you TRULY enjoy this new avenue. If you already did the school/training before job route and it didn’t work, why would you do it again?
In France you get 10 hours per year worked that you can dedicate to any personal training. A friend is learning Portuguese, another one upholstery, and their company is paying for it.