Tips for People Changing Careers | SNHU

Whether you’re new to the workforce or a seasoned professional, you may be wondering what it would be like to change careers. Maybe you don’t like your current role as much as you expected—or maybe you’re excited about a completely different path.

A recent survey revealed that 16% of people have prioritized finding a new job or changing careers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.* This number rises to 19% among those who have completed some college coursework, but do not yet have an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. In addition, 17% of respondents with a bachelor’s degree were also motivated to make some changes in their profession.

They also follow him. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said people are leaving their jobs in what it has dubbed the “Great Resignation” at a pace not seen since the 1970s. The results of a Pew Research Center study found that the top reasons people left their jobs in 2021 included low pay, lack of opportunities for advancement and feeling disrespected in the workplace. Child care issues and limited flexibility were cited as other main reasons.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has inspired many to seek job opportunities that better suit their needs and what they want out of life.

So what’s a good reason to change careers?

There are plenty of good reasons to quit a job and start a new one, including those the Pew Research Center uncovered. What is important to recognize is that although many of the reasons may feel personal, they may also be common experiences shared by many.

Lauren Stahlcareer counselor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), said some reasons you might consider changing careers include wanting to:

• Achieve greater flexibility
• Make sure your organization’s values ​​are aligned with your personal values
• Use new skills or educational credentials
• Seek professional satisfaction and the opportunity to grow and make a difference
• Resolve burnout or mismanagement issues

You might also want to earn more, Stahl said. The Pew Research Center found that 60 percent of those who changed careers between April 2021 and March 2022 earned more than they did in the same month the previous year. Only 47% of those who stayed with the same employer experienced a salary increase.

Maybe you want to change careers to shake things up in your professional life. “Of course there are more practical reasons, such as a higher salary, better hours, better benefits or because of a move, but it’s also very common to want to try something new,” said Aislin Forbes, career counselor at SNHU. This desire can feel especially true for those who have been in the same role for a while.

As the future of work reveals new jobs and workforce needs, you may become aware of a new interest or skill. Significant life events can also influence your decision. For example, in the year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in attending medical school has skyrocketed in the US. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reported a 21.2% increase in first-time medical school applicants in 2021 ( AAMC PDF Source ).

For Christina Libby ’17, beating cancer twice and overcoming congestive heart failure led her to become a nurse and advance in the profession with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). “I need to have a full life and I need to help others,” she said. “And that’s why I’m here. I have to use what happened to me, my experience and make something out of it. I can’t just sit there and (think) ‘oh thank God I survived’. can’t do it I have to make this important. There has to be a purpose.”

So many factors—both large and small—can lead to your decision to change careers to a profession that you find more rewarding.

Advice for people changing careers

You know you’re ready to make the change and you may have already determined which career path is right for you. But what comes next?

Research and preparation, according to Stahl.

“It’s very important to do your research on the requirements for the position, company and industry you’re interested in,” she said. “Employers are looking for candidates with experience plus education, so do your research to understand the requirements and start gaining experience now.”

If you decide you want to become a therapist, for example, you may find that you’ll need at least a master’s degree in counseling or another advanced degree. On top of that, there is licensure to consider and a required number of clinical hours.

A recent study revealed that one in four people who have completed some college but do not have a degree would return for more education if they knew it would help them get the job they are looking for.* According to Stahl, higher education can be a good starting point for professional change.

“Consider pursuing a degree program that will teach you the necessary career concepts and give you access to the discipline,” she said. “Continuing education can provide greater depth or breadth of knowledge and help bridge your knowledge gap.”

Forty-one percent of those recently surveyed agreed, believing that one of the biggest benefits of earning a college degree is starting a new career.* Among associate degree holders alone, that number rises to 51%.

With the availability of flexible online programs designed with the working adult in mind, you can earn your degree on a schedule that fits your life. You can also consider earning a certificate instead of a degree or supplementing a degree you may already have with additional certifications. There are several different types of certificate options to consider, including a bachelor’s degree certificate, a graduate certificate, and a master’s degree certificate.

Learn more about the difference between degrees and certificates.

What is the best way to change your career?

Just as there are many career paths you can take, there are many ways to get there. While there’s no one right way, here are some strategies you can try:

1. Network with professionals: Meet people who already work in the career or field you’re interested in to better understand the language, expectations and culture of that field, Forbes said. You can take advantage of formal events through professional associations or informal opportunities in your everyday life. “Networking can look and happen in many different ways,” Stahl said. “Start with who you know now to reach out, then expand your reach using social media like LinkedIn. Contact recruiters via email or LinkedIn to connect with completed applications or positions of interest.” Plus, if you’re a student, you have peers, faculty, staff, and an alumni network at your fingertips.
2. Put your knowledge to work: “The most important thing is to demonstrate your accomplishments and why you think you can replicate that success in the new career,” Forbes said. “Use the tips and language you’ve learned from interviews with industry professionals and coursework to demonstrate that you understand the culture of the new field.” Don’t be afraid to join industry conversations through your professional social media account, too. “This will serve as a record of your knowledge and progress,” they said.
3. Be persistent: Respectful persistence can also help, according to Forbes. “If there’s a job you want or a company you’d like to work for, keep trying. Ask for feedback, update your approach and reapply,” they said. “People notice that kind of determination, and each time you get a little closer to the goal.”

You can use a combination of these methods in your pursuit of a new career, in addition to ongoing research about the industry, role and organization you hope to join in the next chapter of your professional life. You can take advantage of formal and informal educational opportunities such as webinars and blogs, and consider how you can supplement your new knowledge with resume-worthy credentials such as relevant certification or volunteer work.

How can I change my career without experience?

You’ll want to gain experience in the field you’re targeting for your next career, but it doesn’t have to be in the form of full-time or even part-time work. According to Stahl, many alternative experiences you can point to when changing careers include:

• Agreed positions
• Internships
• School or community activities
• Shadow experiences
• Voluntary Labour

Some degree programs also have experiential learning opportunities built into their curriculum, which can help you build skills and knowledge through practice that is directly related to your desired field.

If you can fit it into your schedule, Forbes is a major advocate of volunteer work to gain experience. “You don’t need to commit huge amounts of time—even just a few times a year getting involved in your new field is something tangible to write on your resume or talk about in an interview,” they said.

You can work with a career counselor at your school to help you research some of the experiences that may be available to you and then coach you as you include them in your resume, elevator pitch, interviews, and more.

How do I change careers at 35 and beyond?

Whether you’re 25 or 55, it’s not too late to find a new job. “It doesn’t matter what age you are,” Forbes said. “As long as you’re willing to do the work, changing careers is very rewarding.”

Even if you’re making a drastic career change and have new industry credentials to back it up, you can also draw on the professional experience you’ve already gained throughout your life. “It’s also important to highlight your transferable skills, accomplishments and qualifications from your current and previous positions that will overlap with the position you’re pursuing,” Stahl said. For example, the soft skills you acquired in a customer service role may serve you well in a public relations or human resources role.

Changing careers throughout your professional life is normal. Last year, the BLS released data from the National Longitudinal Survey, which found that people born between 1957-1964 held an average of 12.4 jobs between the ages of 18 and 54 (BLS PDF source).

“A lifetime job is rare these days, and life is short, so pursue what brings you joy,” Stahl said.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU online degree program that can best help you achieve your goals.

Rebecca LeBoeuf ’18 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

*Survey Methodology: This survey was conducted online in the United States by Kantar on behalf of Southern New Hampshire University in December 2021. The opinions of 500 general population respondents were obtained using their omnibus survey. For full survey methodology, please contact Megan Bond.