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How to Switch Careers in Your 30s: An Expert Guide for 2021-2023
Whether you're looking for a new challenge, seeking a career that is more meaningful, or want to explore a different field in your 30s, career transition in your 30s is something that is totally achievable and can provide you with a wealth of opportunities. Making the decision to switch careers takes courage and a lot of planning, but by understanding the process and having the right tools, you can make it a smooth and successful transition. In this guide, we’ll look at key steps to make switching careers in your 30s a success, so you can turn your passion into a career.
Conduct Your Research
Before you take the leap, take the time to research the path you’ve chosen to ensure its a career you’re sure of. It’s important to understand what success in this role looks like and research the skills, experience and qualifications you need to transition into this career. Spend some time online learning about the role, what challenges it could bring, and the associated salary information for the job and the industry. Knowing this information can help you assess if it’s a direction you want to pursue.
Looking back at your old career can also provide you with some valuable information. Reflect on the challenges and successes you had in your last job and see if they can be transferred or adapted in your new role. With this knowledge, you can create a plan of what qualifications you need to acquire and the hours of additional training required. Knowing all this information will help you make an informed decision and arm you with the right tools to make the transition.
Take Small Steps
Making a career switch doesn’t mean you have to jump head first and switch jobs immediately. Taking small steps is important to ensure that you don’t burn out and overwhelm yourself. You can start making small changes in the lead up and do research around the new job. Start by reading blogs and articles about the industry and the skills needed, build connections, and focus on upskilling yourself for the new role. Small changes such as these can be a great place to start when making the switch.
There are also many other ways to test out a new career, such as doing an online short course. Even doing something as small as volunteering part-time in your chosen field can get you out of your comfort zone and help you decide if it’s really the right field for you. Having the time to try out different roles can help you make an educated decision when entering into the new career.
Take a Risk
Making a career switch in your 30s can be scary and it’s totally natural to be apprehensive about taking the risk. But even taking small steps towards your new career can help you get closer to your goal and give you the courage to take a leap of faith. Taking risks is necessary and it’s how you can make the most of your career transition. Having a professional mentor can also be a great way to seek guidance and validate your methods.
Taking risks can also help teach you more about yourself and the direction you want to take with your career. Taking small risks and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to explore different fields and experience different roles will give you the opportunity to explore new ideas and discover new ways of doing things. Learning from your successes and failures will help you grow and open up better opportunities in the long run.
Actionable Steps for Career Transition
- Research the path you’ve chosen to ensure it’s a career you’re sure of
- Look back at your last job and see if you can transfer or adapt any skills into the new role
- Take small steps to test out a new career such as reading blogs and articles, building connections and taking upskilling courses
- Try out a new career field by doing a short course or volunteering part-time
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone to explore different fields and roles
- Gain perspective from professionals in the chosen career field
- Don’t be afraid to take risks, embrace failure and learn from your mistakes
Conclusion
Career transition in your 30s can be a daunting process, but by doing the right research, taking industrial advice and being brave enough to take risks, it is totally achievable. Taking small steps to upskill and research in the beginning will result in successful career switch in the end. Good luck with your journey and believe in yourself– you can do it.
