Should I change careers at 35?

Changing one's line of work may be a very satisfying experience. It is possible that the age of 35 is the best time to change occupations since by this age, you normally have some work experience but you still have time to gain more certifications if they are required. If you're considering a job change, it might be beneficial to have a plan on how to launch your search for a new line of work. This article provides some advice on how to make a shift in careers beyond the age of 35 and discusses other fields of work that you may want to look into for a new line of work.

Why change careers when you're already 35 years old?

You may want to start thinking about a new job when you reach the age of 35 for a number reasons, including the following:

You have a strong interest in starting a new job. If there is a particular line of work or sector of the economy that piques your interest, you may want to consider making a job change to one that excites you more.

You are looking for a challenge. If you want more chances to learn new things and challenge yourself in ways you've never done before, you may want to consider switching careers. Additionally, it may give you with fresh experiences that might help you learn and develop as a person.

You've realigned your priorities. If you discover that the things that are most important to you have changed when you originally began along the route of your present profession, you may want to think about making a change.

You have the desire to effect positive change. Changing your line of work could enable you to have a job that really benefits people or that contributes to the betterment of the planet.

You seek greater flexibility. If you want to have more control over when and where you work, switching careers might provide you the opportunity to establish your own hours, perform your job duties from a remote location, or more simply organize your time off.

Industries that should be taken into consideration while switching professions

Those looking to make a change in their professional lives may choose to consider working in one of the following industries:

Wellness of the mind

In the field of mental health, there are a great number of meaningful professions available, many of which provide adjustable working hours and a significant degree of autonomy in the workplace. You may begin your training at the age of 35 and yet have a lengthy career in the mental health field since mental health practitioners often work many years beyond the typical retirement age. Here are some prospective occupations in the field of mental health:

Therapist

Counselors in schools

Personal coach

Employed in social work

Business

People who are skilled with numbers and love interacting with others often find success in occupations related to business. A great number of experts working in the business area got their start in other employment categories. The majority of occupations in the financial sector need just a bachelor's degree, and candidates may come from a variety of academic backgrounds. The following are some examples of occupations in the business world that could be suitable for a career change:

Analyst of financial markets

Real estate agent

Actuary

Financial planner

Clerk of the audit

Wellness and attractiveness

The health and beauty sectors provide opportunities for fulfilling careers that often do not need for a significant amount of extra schooling. The majority of occupations in the fields of beauty and wellness just need a certificate or an associate degree to enter the field. It's possible that your hobbies might count toward work experience, especially if you have an interest in health and fitness. Possible occupations in the fields of beauty and wellness include the following:

a private fitness instructor

Instructor of physical exercise

A person who gives massages

Hairstylist

Artists who do makeup

Health

The desire to have a profession that has a good impact on the lives of others motivates many individuals to switch occupations. There are a variety of jobs available in the health care field where you may contribute to the improvement of people's health, and the majority of them demand simply a professional qualification. These are some examples of possible occupations in the medical field:

Dental assistant

Technician in Veterinary Medicine

Patient advocate

Nurse

Specialist in the billing of medical insurance

Technology

The subject of technology is one that is expanding, and as a result, there are often career opportunities in the field of technology accessible in a variety of sectors. You may be eligible for some occupations in the field of technology even if you do not have any more schooling if you have prior expertise with coding languages or computer science. The following are some examples of possible careers in the technology industry:

Programmer

QA tester

Expert in computer and network security

UX designer

Designer of visual works

Advice on switching professions

Changing careers? Here are some recommendations to help you get started:

Carry out an evaluation of yourself.

You may identify the sort of career route you could choose by asking yourself questions about the things you are interested in and the things you want to achieve in your professional life. You may want to think about taking an online career test or compiling a list of your abilities and the things that interest you the most. Make an effort to determine if you want a career that you can start right away or whether you want a position that requires more credentials from you, such as a license or a certain level of schooling.

Research

Make an effort to do research on potential careers that you may be interested in to learn more about the key responsibilities and educational requirements of such positions. Before making a change in your line of work, it might be beneficial to have an idea of what your typical tasks would be. Doing research on different occupations and how to break into new fields will help you determine whether professions are a good fit for you and how to get started in a new field.

Think about getting your degree again.

Your chances of being successful in switching jobs might be improved by pursuing further education and even earning a new degree or certification. It is possible that certain educational credentials, such as a master's degree, a major in a different discipline, or professional certification, are required for new employment. Professionals who are interested in furthering their education have a number of alternatives available to them, including courses that can be taken online and at flexible times, as well as shorter-term certification programs.

Find yourself a guide.

A person who is already successful in the field of work that you want to get into may serve as a mentor and guide you in the job search process. Mentors are able to provide guidance, assist with the creation of a CV, and introduce you to others working in the same industry. It's possible that you may locate a mentor via your own networks, in a different department at your current position, or by making direct contact with firms.

Think about getting some grownup work experience.

Internships for working professionals are temporary work experiences that last for a limited amount of time. They are quite similar to conventional internships, with the exception that you do not need to be enrolled in college to apply for one. Internships for adults are a great way to obtain experience in a new sector while also giving you the opportunity to investigate prospective career paths.

Consider the talents that may be used in a variety of settings.

It's possible that some of the skills you gained in your past jobs may come in handy in your current line of work. If you're having trouble deciding what line of work you want to get into, one option is to investigate occupations that demand skills that are comparable to those that you currently possess, such as the ability to write or to do technical tasks. Some abilities, such as the management of one's time or one's belongings, are transferable to the vast majority of occupations and are often useful to include on one's CV.

Volunteer

Gaining job experience, broadening your professional network, and researching other fields may all be accomplished via volunteer work. Check out volunteer boards or go to groups directly to see if they have any openings for you, and make an effort to get some work experience via volunteering. It's possible that you could volunteer in addition to working at your present employment, which would enable you to build experience while you were employed.

Think about moving laterally in your field of work.

There are occasions when you may switch professions without moving fully in a new direction. For instance, if you are now employed as a programmer for a software firm, you could find that working as a technical writer or as a marketing who focuses in technology would be intriguing occupations to pursue in the future. Consider working in one of your industry's subfields where you may put your prior experience to use in a role that is yet distinct from the one you now hold.