Sometimes a career you thought was a good fit turns out to be a miserable daily slog. If that sounds like a familiar situation, you may want to consider your options for training for another career. A career change can turn your entire life around. But too many people stay in a job they hate because they falsely believe it’s too late to train into a new career.
Here are a few points to alleviate that concern.
Identifying Training Needs
Your first step should be to identify what type of training you need for the type of job you want. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of applying the skills you already have to a new field of interest. Often, though, you’ll have to pick up some new skills or go through a specific training program to gain certification. Thorough research into this topic will give you a goal to work toward.
Training Through Your Current Employer
If you like your company but just wish you worked in a different department or could get a promotion, ask your manager if the company will pick up the tab for job training. As long as you plan to use the new skills within the company, there’s a good chance they’ll pay. This is especially true if you’re looking to build computer or management skills.
Government Training Opportunities
Those who have been laid off might look to the U.S. Department of Labor for training opportunities. There are plenty of resources for people like you who want to find a new job. The Employment and Training Administration (https://www.doleta.gov/) can connect you with apprenticeships in your area. In many cases, you’ll even get paid as you train for a new career. These organizations can also help with resume writing and interviewing skills.
On-the-Job Training
If you’re willing to start at the bottom, you can often get the training you’ll need to move up in your chosen field. For instance, getting a start as a customer service representative and letting management know that you’re interested in learning more can help you later get a job as a customer service manager. The skills you learn in that new position will propel you toward other management opportunities.
Back to School
Starting college or going back to finish a degree is a valid option for many adults. Financial aid makes it affordable, and a lot of colleges offer evening programs that let you complete your degree while working a full-time job.
The key to making this work for you is to actively seek out programs that will give you the skills you need for the job you want. You might need to take a few English or math classes to complete the degree, but most of your classes will focus on your specific area of interest.
Once you have your degree, make use of the college’s career services department to help you find that first job.
Online Training and Certification
If you don’t have experience in a particular field, having training or certification can help you get a job.
For instance, if you’ve been working in retail and would prefer to transition to a more corporate environment, you might look into Six Sigma training. This is a business management method that many companies use, and having the certification helps an employer feel confident about giving you a chance. These types of certification programs are readily available online.
Boot Camps
Computer programming boot camps are becoming increasingly popular. You’ll work hard for a few weeks but will come through the process with a solid knowledge of programming techniques. This can help you get a job in this field.
It’s hard to get into the best programs, but Fortune magazine states that it’s not uncommon for graduates to eventually be earning six-figure salaries.
No matter what type of career you’re interested in, there’s a training program that can work for you. Simply figure out what new skills you need to learn and look for a program that’s a match.
