If you have found that your current career path isn’t quite as you expected it to be, it is likely only a matter of time until you consider a change. Sometimes, a small sideways move into a different field is sufficient – but what if you are considering something more in-depth?
There are a number of professions that, at first glance, seem to be unrealistic choices for a career move. In most cases, this is due to the training requirements: changing to become a doctor, a lawyer, or an architect will likely mean a re-entry into education for a long period of time – and as a result, people dismiss these options when considering a career change.
But should you?
It would be unrealistic to say that a major career change that involves a need for substantial additional education is easy: it’s not. The choice is a difficult one and will require alterations to the way you live and the time you have available for your family.
There is also a substantial time commitment to consider, as for most of the aforementioned vocations, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to work a day job alongside studying. The courses required are simply too complex to allow you to multitask, and you may also be required to complete on-the-job style training as part of your education.
Reading through the above two paragraphs, it’s easy to assume that major career changes aren’t possible. However, this doesn’t have to be the case; mid-career changes into an entirely new vocation are becoming more and more common, and there’s no reason why you cannot do the same.
Pursuing the path that suits you
Most people choose their career while they are still teenagers, which is a rather frightening fact when you really examine it. There are few areas of life where the decisions we make as a teenager are still valid as an adult, after all. When considered through this lens, it’s easy to see why your first attempt at finding the right career path may have gone awry – and you now have the benefit of an adult mind and a real knowledge of the world of work.
This means that the decision you make now is far more likely to be suitable for you, and you’ll be able to embark on a career that you are genuinely passionate about. If you have always wanted to be a doctor, helping patients and taking the time to shop for scrubs and associated items, or an architect who designs incredible buildings, you are now able to enter into the field with an adult focus. This means you are making a decision that genuinely suits you and your life; in a vocation that you genuinely believe you will enjoy.
Countdown to retirement
It is also worth considering how many working years you have prior to retirement. If there is plenty of time for you to re-train and embark on the career you actually want, then doing so is likely to be the best decision. It is arguable that it is worth making the change now – even with the difficulties it poses – than to try another career path that you are not particularly passionate about, and later come to regret.
Undoubtedly, a major career change is a big step and one you will need to consider thoroughly. However, if you can manage the lifestyle and financial aspects, making the change now could pave the way to a much happier, more fulfilled working life in future.
