Changing Your Career Path

Author: Emma Jones

Many people would like to change their career path but often think it is too difficult or risky. As you move through life you change as a person and it is only natural that your job interests and priorities will shift too. Changing your career path is something that anyone can do, it just takes time, effort and patience. Make sure that you know what you want and are ready for the career change by doing your homework, seeking some career advice and taking your time to make the move.

Knowing What You Want

It is all very well knowing that you want a career change but unless you know what to, it will just remain a distant dream. Work out what you are good at, what you enjoy and what your experience would help you with. Ask your friends and family for advice and make a clear decision about what career path you want to go down.

Seeking Career Advice

Sometimes it is a good idea to consult the professionals and a career advisor can help you work out how to make your career change. They have years of experience in helping people just like you and may tell you things you hadn’t thought about. Talk to them about your plans and what you need to do to make it a reality. They will be able to advise you about Training, Funding and the practicalities of your career change.

Career Change Matcher

Tell us what is not working and what you want instead and we will match you with career paths that fit.

Try our Career Change Matcher free, here on this site →

Do the Groundwork

If it was easy to change your career, people would be doing it daily. The reality is that it takes time and hard work to make the switch. Do your research to find out what you need to do. Find out about training options, whether you would need to seek investment and what your career development options would be. Try to talk to someone who is already in your chosen career field so you can hear what it is like first hand.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Take Your Time

If you are thinking about changing your career path, you are probably anxious to leave your current job. However, to make a career change work you need to take your time and put the hard work in while you still have an income. Try to be patient and think about the pay off at the end. Take Classes In The Evening, get some experience in your spare time or use your holidays to work towards your new career. If you're serious about the move, you will appreciate the need to be ready when you take the big leap.

Changing career path doesn’t just need to be a dream if you are willing to put the work in. If you are serious about changing your career, then be certain what you want and take your time to achieve it. Seek career advice, do your research about what is required and then spend your spare time working towards it. You can’t have a new career in an instant, but once are ready to make the move it will be worth the wait.

Take Our Quiz

Still unsure if now is the right time to change your career? Take our Quiz to find out if you are really ready to make a move.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Career Change Matcher lets you tell us what is not working and what you want instead and we will match you with career paths that fit. Try it now →

6 questions

Ask A Career Change a Question

ACareerChange Editor 22/02/2017 at 11:52 am

Look out for roles available in your area, especially in nurseries etc. Many organisations will facilitate additional training as part of your job's role. You can then look at specific roles within the NHS etc

Hbird 19/02/2017 at 2:32 pm

Hello. I am also studying Early Childhood but I work in a nursing home. I would love to become an HCA in maternity or childrens ward...then work my way up. How can I achieve this?

ACareerChange Editor 18/11/2015 at 2:21 pm

The options are to do a full time degree. To try and see if you can study part time or join the NHS in an apprentice capacity. Have you looked at this page? It looks as though it gives all the information you might need.

Caz 16/11/2015 at 5:01 am

Hello, I'm not sure if I'm being completely dim but after looking through a variety of web sites I still can't find what I'm after.
I'm 45, and would like to train to be an adult nurse. How do I apply with the NHS please. A straight answer or help would be appreciated.

ACareerChange Editor 29/01/2015 at 2:19 pm

@ruby92. Entry into nursing is usually via university degree and placements are found as part of the course.

Ruby92 27/01/2015 at 4:09 pm

Hi,

I am a University Student studying an undergraduate degree in 'Early Childhood Studies' I would love to become a nurse and I was wondering what steps shall I take to become a nurse? I have emailed many Hospitals for volunteering and work experiences but have been declined or there arent any spaces at the moment. I want to know what I can do after graduating to become a nurse.

Thank you.

Ask A Career Change a question

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