Do you hate the field you currently work in? Who says that you have to stay? Choose a new career and do what it takes to enter the career you choose. Some careers offer on-the-job training, while others require formal training. Either way, though, you’ll be happier if you work in a career field that you love. Here are ten steps on how to choose a new career:
Ask yourself the question. What is it that I like to do? What is it that I wish I could do? If you cannot answer either of these questions, then think about someone you admire in a particular field and ask yourself why you admire that person. Does it have anything to do with what he/she does for a living? For instance, do you enjoy talking about the medical field? If so, why not become a nurse?
Try it on for size. A great demand for nurses currently exists and will likely get stronger with time. It does take some formal education to enter the nursing field, but you can gradually earn your degree/certification as you work in the nursing field. If you think you might want to become a nurse, then work for some time as a nurse aide. Some hospitals/nursing homes offer programs that allow you to work as a nurse aide while earning your certification.
Determine your means. If you’re not financially stable enough to make a career change, then work your way into it. For instance, can you take a lesser-paying job so that you can return to school and supplement your income with student loans? Can you work at a paid internship? If so, then try to locate some in your area. For example, if you wanted to become a nurse, call a large, nearby hospital and ask what they have to offer in terms of training and scholarship programs.
Evaluate your strengths. You might have to sell yourself to the hospital (or whatever program you try to seek help from), so this means that you need to know your strengths. This could be in the form of determination, persistence, attention to detail, loyalty, patience, kindness, or any other strength about yourself that you can use to promote yourself for funding. Be genuine in your promotion, though.
Seek financial help. If you return to school, the first thing that you want to do is fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This costs you nothing but time, and you can even do it online. This website helps determine if you are eligible for financial assistance. Too, ask about scholarships, work programs, work study programs, and any other programs from which you might be able to get money for school.
Prepare for setbacks. Things happen in life, and problems will absolutely come up while you are trying to shift into a new career. Don’t let these problems serve as an excuse not to go through with your new career goals. You have to decide that you want to enter a new career, plan how to do it, and forge ahead without letting anything get in your way. If you don’t follow this path, you will forever be stuck in a place that you don’t want to be stuck in.
Insist that your goal is priority. You always have to prioritize your goals. For instance, you must pay your rent before anything else because you need a place to live, right? However, paying your bills is a priority in itself, so know how you are going to pay your bills before you begin the new career shift. This way, you won’t have to stop in the middle of your career shift because you can’t pay your bills. Know what it takes to pay your bills and stay on this path.
Allow some time to breathe. You might be so tired of not having a career that you like and want to speed ahead and finish in record time. Don’t do this. You might actually burn yourself out and end up not even finishing the transition. Know your limitations and don’t try to exceed these limitations. Give yourself time to sleep an extra 30 minutes or to take in a movie every once in awhile. As a matter of fact, budget both into your time and expenses.
Turn failure into success. If you fail a class or a training session, don’t simply throw your hands up in the air and forget it. Try again, and even again, until you get it. Remember, the grade is not the only thing you’re after. You’re after the knowledge, too. It might take you longer than others to get something right, but when you get it, the information will likely stay with you. Don’t beat yourself up, either. Give yourself permission to fail, so that you will be willing to try again.
Welcome yourself into your new career. Your hard work will seem like a long process (and it might be), but you will one day look up and realize that you’ve already entered your new career field, even before you’ve become fully employed in the new field. So, take your knowledge, new way of thinking, and energized attitude and go out and snag the job you want. Don’t stop there, though. Keep up with the changes in your field so that you can always be on top of your game.
