You may be wondering if it’s possible to switch careers after being in the same position for a few years now. Whether you have been in your career for two years or nine years, it is pretty common to want to change careers in your 20’s. Don’t be discouraged or overwhelmed by the concern that whatever you are doing now is not meant to be your forever job. It just means that you need to take a step back, put some thought into what you truly want to do, and kick off a job search in your field of interest. 

No doubt it can be difficult to switch gears after going to college and finding the job you initially thought was the perfect fit. Not to mention the worry of having to go back to school or study again is hardly an ideal situation for most. But, you are only in your 20’s! If there is a right time to change your career, it’s now. It’ll be easier to change your trajectory now than twenty more years down the road. 

What do you want?

You need to take some time to figure out what you really want in life. What’s your dream job? What is it that you are going to enjoy doing and will enjoy doing long term? Will this new career path provide an opportunity for you to excel and advance in your 30’s, 40’s and 50’s?

Identify your strengths to best align yourself on a career path that is well suited to your abilities. Do some industry research and make note of the industries that interest you most. This may challenge you to leave your comfort zone. It’s important to take small steps in order to discover the career field that will help you thrive.

Listen to experts

We get it, you’re 20 something and you know it all. But trust us when we suggest seeking out some experienced expert advice. Find someone in your ideal field of work that has some experience under their belt and ask them for advice. They likely can give you some great pointers and career advice they probably wish they had at your age. It can be extremely beneficial for you to find a career coach or mentor to help guide you through the process of starting down a new career path. 

Learn a little more

Last but not least, if you are changing your career, chances are you may need to study up on whatever it is you are looking to do next. Ideally, most of your most valuable skills and experience are transferable. That being said, if you’re entering a new field, do some research into what programs or skills are needed in that industry and add it to your to-do list to learn and understand them. 

There are likely some skills and knowledge that would benefit you to brush up-on. Consider taking a 4-6 week online certification course to show future employers you are serious about your new career trajectory. This will show hiring managers that you took the time to consider what it is you want to do and that you are already putting in the extra work to groom yourself to meet new expectations. 

Not sure where to start your career change? Want to begin with a certificate course training? Reach out to us at TGG-U.com and see for yourself all of the options we have to help you jump start your career.