Five Things to Consider Before You Change Your Career

If you have been toying with the idea of changing your career and getting a more rewarding job you actually enjoy, you might be at the stage of procrastination. Make sure that you are able to improve your life and are not falling for the hype. Do your research and talk to people who are working in the industry to get the full picture. Below you will find five things you should consider before making a final decision.

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1. Do You Have Enough Savings to Survive Financially

Changing your career is easier today than it used to be. You will be able to move from one industry to another. However, if you don’t have experience in the new field, you might need to start with an unpaid internship or take a pay cut. If you are comfortable with this, it is fine. However, if you don’t have enough savings to cover the missing income, you will have to think twice.

2. The Perks You Lose

In case you have been in the industry and the same company for a long time, you might already have a pension scheme and certain benefits you will miss. Do your research and find out what you can get once you change your area of employment, and face the facts that you might need to pay more into your 401K plan or health insurance than before.

3. Qualification and Training Requirements

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The next thing you need to research is the training and qualification requirements of your future role. If you want to start fresh and get the best chance in progressing your career, you will need to research online courses and college programs. If you would like to start working in health and social care, for example, you can research the different social worker degrees online and find out how much time and money you will have to invest in your career change.

4. Work-life Balance

There is one thing people often don’t consider when changing careers; the work-life balance. Are you prepared to work shifts and weekends? Will you be able to switch off once you have left your workplace? Will you be ready to commute to your new workplace and be away from your kids? Can you still attend school events and medical appointments?

5. Career Progression and Outlook

Finally, you will have to make sure that the role you choose has a future and will not get replaced by robots or artificial intelligence. It would be sad if you studied hard and worked your socks off just to lose your job in a few years’ time due to increased automation. At the same time, you will also have to make sure that there are career progression opportunities, so you will not end up in a dead-end job.

If you are currently considering a career change, you will need to invest time and energy in your research, so you don’t end up disappointed. Write down the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.