Take These Three Steps If You're Considering a Career Change

On average, Americans change jobs 10 to15 times in their lifetime. While career changes are less common, especially later in life, these decisions are often made for a few common reasons: increasing earning potential, desire for more challenging roles, or pursuit of work they feel passionate about. Making a career switch can't be done overnight, and often requires diligent preparation, reconnecting with members of your professional network, and in many cases, going back to school.

Start With Research

Leaving your current job is an important decision that you shouldn't take lightly—a new career is much more than the salaries boasted about on LinkedIn or your assumptions about work-life balance across industries. The grass may seem greener on the other side, but establishing an accurate understanding of your "dream career" by conducting the appropriate research will help ensure that you're making the right decision. Salary is important, but remember to include the following factors in your search queries:

• Education requirements
• Job outlook
• Similar occupations
• State and local career data

Reading job descriptions, connecting with professionals with relevant job titles online, and earning certifications can help you better get to know a particular role or field to make an informed decision.

Explore Options for Furthering Your Education

Some career changes are pretty straightforward and may only require on-the-job training, like moving from public relations and marketing to trying your hand in B2B sales. However, if you're currently a lawyer looking to become an IT professional, it's in your best interest to acquire the necessary skills to position yourself as a standout candidate. Quitting work to return to school isn't realistic for most people, but exploring online learning options can help busy adults balance coursework without giving up their paycheck.

Keep Yourself Accountable With Deadlines

If making a career change isn't urgent, life can easily distract you from your goals. While leaving your job for a new role that is much better suited to your interests and passions may be at the top of your wish list, you can quickly lose motivation without a clearly defined plan. Create a timeline to keep you on track to meet your goal, with specific due dates and milestones you plan to achieve during this period. For example, you could set a goal to complete a third of a course within a few weeks, and then create a structured schedule for completing the remaining coursework or set a goal to apply to a certain number of jobs per month.

Make your dream career a reality by enrolling at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement. We've helped working professionals all over the world achieve their career goals by offering flexible online, on-campus, and hybrid courses. Take the first step in your journey to a new career by requesting more information today.