Nearly 60 percent of U.S. working adults want to change careers, but many have no idea what path to pursue, according to a University of Phoenix national survey. The number of workers in their 30s who wish to change careers has climbed nearly 10 percent since 2013, from a significant 64 percent to a whopping 73 percent.
The top reason for desiring a career change involves money (44%), while others cited burnout (29%) and a lack of upward mobility in their current field (27%). Interesting, those making $75,000 to $100,000 a year were most likely to have lost interest or passion in their field (45%)—and the most likely to feel burned out (40%).
Changing careers at any age can be daunting, but Ruth Veloria, executive dean for the University of Phoenix School of Business, offers a few tips:
- You don’t need to completely start over. Research paths to your desired career and look for opportunities to translate skills from one industry to another. Certificate programs allow professionals to cultivate a diverse knowledge base; they can also quickly address knowledge gaps in a specific industry.
- You may already have a lot of the skills you need. Understand how your current skills might translate to another industry. If you work in marketing but are interested in healthcare, for example, consider starting in a marketing position with a healthcare organization.
- Become more entrepreneurial in your current career. Establish a mentoring relationship with someone you can learn from—who can help you find new opportunities in your current organization. Talk to as many people as possible who do what you want to do, so you can better understand the requirements and challenges. iBi
