Making a Smooth Transition into a New Career

You’ve probably all heard the common statistic; this generation’s workers are expected to change jobs about 11 times throughout a typical career course (About.com). For many, this number can be exciting.  But, it can also be scary. Many workers are now trying to leap into a new field in hopes finding a rewarding but also stable career.

If you’re thinking about changing your career, take a look below for tips on how to make the smoothest career transition possible.

Financial Outlook

Let’s face it: it’s common that career transitioning is driven by personal financial stability.  Before you embark on a new journey back to school, you need to ensure that your prospective career is financially viable.

To do this, you must do extensive research.  Look at things like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website and observe which areas are growing and seem promising. In addition, research by asking people with comparable positions if they find their job financially satisfying.

Find a Compatible College

Once you have identified the right new career for you, start researching compatible degree programs. There are three main things to consider when researching schools: degree programs, modality, and accreditation. First, you will want to verify that the school you are interested in has the right degree programs for your new field of interest. Second, you will want to consider whether or not you want to take classes online or in a physical, classroom setting. Next, you should verify that each respective college is accredited by a higher learning accrediting agency. (Learn more about the importance of accreditation at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.)

Work Hard at Your Day Job

If you are working and going back to school concurrently, you need to remember that you must still dedicate yourself to your current job. (After all, it’s likely that your current job pays the bills, right?) Think long term, and though you may not love the role that you are currently in, know that with the right schooling, your new career is right at your fingertips.

Another bonus: Maintaining tight and healthy relationships with coworkers at your current organization or even clients can pay dividends in the future. You can’t spend all your time at work looking for a new job; you’ll need to rely on your contacts and references as you apply and interview. These people are crucial and will likely to help you find future job opportunities.

Find a Mentor

Find someone in your prospective career field whom you admire and ask them to be your career “mentor.” A mentor has the ability to assist you through the process of a career change and provide advice about how to break into the business.

This article was written by Elizabeth Lintelman, the Career Services Manager at the Rasmussen College –Minnesota campus location. Her role includes assisting Rasmussen College Online students with career-related questions, career placement services, and job preparation tips.