Changing Careers: Tips for Starting Over
Considering leaving your job to start a new career? Here’s what you need to know!
Are you tired with the ins and outs of your current job? Are you sitting behind a desk all day counting the minutes until you get to go home?
If you’re unhappy with your current job, you’ve probably thought of changing careers. Many of QC’s students come to us from full time corporate jobs that just aren’t right for them.
But, I know what you’re probably thinking. If you have a full time job that pays the bills, you’re probably terrified of giving it up for the uncertainty of chasing your dreams. I don’t blame you. It’s incredibly scary!
But don’t worry. You CAN chase your dreams without risking too much. You just need to be smart about your approach.
Do Your Research
First thing’s first: make sure you choose a career path that’s right for you. The last thing you want is to end up in another job that you don’t care for.
Choose something you believe in and that’s based on something you LOVE to do! Do you rearrange your living room or bedroom every two months? Interior Decorating might be right up your ally. Are you the ultimate organized person who just loves to put on a great party? Event and Wedding Planning could be for you.
But don’t just throw a dart to figure it out. If you’re not sure, try getting in touch with a few professionals in your area, and talk to them about why they love their job. Find out the good and the bad, and decide if it’s right for you.
Take your time! I know you want to get a move on, but don’t rush into it. Consider all your options.
Get Certified
It’s tough to break into any industry, especially without any form of training. You can become a certified professional in many different fields through distance education programs. These programs are easily completed even if you have a full time job.
How? Our student support team is asked this all the time.
Truth is, distance learning programs are designed to fit your busy lifestyle. You don’t need to travel to a campus every day and there are no hard deadlines to meet. Just work at your own pace and complete assignments when you have the time to do so.
In most of QC’s courses, if you commit a few hours a week to your studies, you can complete one of our professional programs within 4-6 months. But, that’s just an average. Some of our students complete their course in as little as two months, and some take a full three years to complete. The choice, ultimately, is yours!
Don’t quit your day job… yet
Once you’ve been certified in your chosen field it can be tempting to quit your job and dive head-first into starting your own business. And hey, if you have the means to give it a go, then by all means, dive in!!
But, for most of us, there are bills to pay and maybe even a family to support. You can get started with your new business on a small scale, part-time, while keeping your full time job (for now), just to reduce that stress level.
Slowly get your name out there by taking on a few clients whom you can work with on evenings and weekends. Build up a reputation for yourself, and save whatever earnings you make from your work, so that when you ARE ready to go at it full-time, you’ll have a strong foundation to rely on.
Be careful! If you have a day job, it can be tempting to use company time & resources to work on your own projects. Don’t fall into this trap. If you decide to stay at your full-time job, it deserves 100% of your focus while you’re there.
If you don’t want to start a business…
If owning your own business isn’t your cup of tea, you can always try to get a job within a corporation who offers your services (a party planning service or a home staging firm, for example.)
If a firm or agency hires you on as a salaried employee, then there’s little risk in accepting it. Just be aware of what you’re signing up for. Be sure to be crystal clear on the type of work you’re expected to do, and of whatever “non-compete” clause they may require you to sign.
Once you’re fully informed and a job offer is promising, then you’re all set!
When to spread your wings
When you get to a point where your reputation is spreading, you’re getting new clients regularly, and you could fill your entire days with your own projects, it’s time to say goodbye to your day job and hello to your new, full time, dream career.
Hopefully, by now you’ve saved up a bit of a nest egg to support your new business as it grows and expands.
Don’t rush! Don’t take on more than you can handle, and give it your all. This is where you wanted to end up, and you’ve made it. Now take your time and do it right!
Give it a go!
If you’re smart about it, there’s very low risk in starting a new career. Take your time and don’t rush into it. There’s nothing wrong with going at it part-time for a few years before you take the plunge. You can build up your skills and gain some extra cash at the same time!
What are some of your concerns with changing careers? Let us know in a comment or contact us to talk to a Student Support Agent today!
