It’s not uncommon for those who have gone to school or started a job to discover that their chosen career path is not what they thought it would be. In fact, the average person changes careers five to seven times during their working life.
If you’re ready for something new, you’ll need some ideas to help you find the right fit.
5 Job Ideas to Consider
Throughout most of history, jobs and careers were cemented in stone. In earlier centuries, you apprenticed under someone and then spent most of your life mastering your craft. In more recent history, you’d go to school, get a degree, and then work for the same company for 30 or 40 years before retiring with a pension.
Today, careers look much different. Not only do people switch employers every few years – often making lateral moves just for the purpose of changing up scenery – but many decide to make full career pivots.
If you feel burned out, ineffective, and unfulfilled, then it’s time for you to consider a career change. Whether you’re 25 or 55, you may find some of the following job ideas compelling:
- Medical Billing and Coding
Do you like the idea of working in the healthcare field, but don’t want to go through the expensive and time-consuming process of going to medical school? There are plenty of jobs in the industry that don’t require extensive schooling. Medical insurance billing and coding is one example.
In the medical billing and coding field, you can obtain an online diploma in roughly one year. With the diploma in hand, you can pursue jobs in private medical practices, large hospitals, clinics, and other medical businesses. You’ll spend most of your time working in the front office, where you’ll be responsible for handling insurance coding, billing, and record keeping. It’s a stable job with competitive salaries and growing demand.
- Veterinary Technician
Do you love working with animals? Are you interested in a job that offers personal fulfillment and happiness? Instead of studying for seven or eight years to become a veterinarian, pursue a career as a veterinary technician.
As a veterinary technician, you get to do most of the same things that a veterinarian does – including giving medications, assisting with surgical procedures, collecting samples, performing lab tests, providing emergency care, and working with pet owners to solve pet-related issues.
- Social Media Marketer
Are you looking for a job that allows you to work remotely and/or spend more time at home? Social media marketing is a massive field that’s growing extremely fast. It can also be potentially lucrative (depending on the route you pursue).
As a social media marketer, you have the options of freelancing, starting your own business, or working for an existing agency. Each has its own pros and cons. You’ll have to figure out your priorities and what you’re most interested in (creative freedom, flexibility, earnings, etc.).
- Graphic Designer
Much like social media marketing, the graphic design field is flexible. Most jobs can be facilitated from home, while other positions require you to work in a physical office. But even in the latter instances, the job environment tends to be lax and creative.
The great thing about becoming a graphic designer is that you can start learning at any time. Keep your day job for now and start taking online courses, tutorials, and lessons in the evenings. After a few months, you should have enough skills and knowledge to earn an entry-level position.
- Real Estate Agent
There’s never been a better time to become a real estate agent. The industry is booming, education can be done online, and brokers everywhere are looking to add ambitious agents to their offices.
If you have a passion for real estate and possess reasonably good people skills, this field could represent a huge opportunity. You can work at your pace, take on as many (or few) clients as you like, and earn a lot of money in the process.
Considerations for a Smooth Career Transition
When transitioning careers, don’t dive in blind. A pivot like this is very important and can have a significant impact on your financial situation, happiness, and personal life. It’s best if you dip your toes in the water by speaking with professionals who are currently in the field and picking up occasional side jobs to learn how the industry works.
If, after doing these things, the idea of switching still excites you, then you can make the move official.