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When is the Best Time to Change Careers?

If you’re considering a career change, you’re not alone. Many Americans are in some way dissatisfied with their jobs and want a fresh start. But leaving behind what you know for something new can be scary. How do you know when the timing is right? If you’re asking yourself that question, now is the time to reevaluate your future.

Is It Time for A Career Change?

We all have tough days at work, but these signs suggest it’s time to move on.

You’re No Longer Inspired

All careers are engaging at first because you have something to learn. Each day brings new challenges that keep you mentally focused. But when your creativity is stifled and the most exciting thing you do at work is no longer inspiring, your best days in that role are likely behind you.

You’ve Reached a Dead End Professionally

Staying motivated is tough when you’ve hit a wall. Without a professional goal, what does an accomplishment-driven person have to reach for? If there’s no way to move up or nowhere for your career to go, consider a field with more growth potential.

Your Priorities Have Changed

Life evolves and priorities change. Getting married, having children, and caring for aging parents is difficult if your job demands too much of your time. If your career doesn’t allow you to grow as a person or fulfill your responsibilities at home, the stress will only grow. Seek more flexible opportunities.

Your Health Is Suffering

If Monday morning dread is exhausting you by noon on Sunday, your body may be telling you what your gut already knows. Whether you’re chained to a desk, trapped in a toxic environment or your self-esteem has suffered from being underappreciated, no job is worth your physical or mental well-being.

Your Career is Obsolete

Technology is taking a toll on every field, and employers are reluctant to invest in obsolete roles. If your company is constantly reorganizing, and you’re increasingly assigned to projects that don’t fit the job description you once loved, there’s probably no turning back. Making a preemptive move may help you avoid the unemployment line.

You Want to Make an Impact

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they question their impact on the world. While every job benefits the community, people feel better about themselves when they make the most of their aptitudes. There are jobs, like HVAC, that help people keep a safe and comfortable house. Medical jobs that help people stay healthy. Of course, you could work in an office for a company that has a good mission. So, if you believe in being the change you want to see in the world, make your career a part of those efforts.

Why Now Is the Time to Change Careers

Timing is everything when it comes to making career moves. Right now, there are a lot of opportunities, and here’s why.

The Great Resignation

More Americans than ever quit their jobs in the past few years. Known as the Great Resignation, many experts believe workers were frustrated with short-staffing and other pandemic-related job changes. But regardless of the cause, the result is more opportunity than ever for those seeking a new career.

There are now millions of jobs available and not enough people to fill them, so the choice is yours. You could wait decades for another job-seeker market like this or act now.

Changing Demographics

Millions of Baby Boomers are on the verge of retirement, leaving behind a leadership vacuum. Now’s the time to take advantage of ground-floor opportunities in top industries, knowing that there’s room to grow. There’s nowhere to go but up, and a vocational school can help you get there.

In Demand Vocational Careers

There are many in demand vocational careers that you can seek out. Some of those careers include:

Business Office Management

The Baby Boomers are taking decades of experience with them as they leave the workforce, creating a need for office managers. Depending on the size of the organization, responsibilities in this role may include:

  • Streamlining business operations
  • Customer Care
  • Recruiting
  • Employee relations
  • Budgeting
  • Light bookkeeping
  • Ordering supplies
  • Operational security
  • Clerical functions
  • Marketing

You’ll troubleshoot the complexities of the modern office, working with vendors and directing staff to meet the company’s goals.

Vocational schools teach the ins and outs of the business world, preparing graduates to manage offices in any organization. If you’re well-organized with an aptitude for customer service, top companies want to talk to you.

HVAC

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians install, inspect and maintain climate control and refrigeration systems in homes and businesses such as hospitals and grocery stores. Some specialize in one aspect of HVAC, such as solar energy systems or heat pumps while others are jacks-of-all-trades. Duties include:

  • Installing heaters, air conditioners and commercial refrigeration units
  • Troubleshooting HVAC systems
  • Cleaning ductwork
  • Replacing filters
  • Changing defective parts
  • Disposing of harmful refrigerants and pressurized gases
  • Recommending system upgrades

Because of the environmental impact of HVAC systems, technicians need broad knowledge of government regulations. They often work with other trade professionals such as electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, and sheet metal workers, so good people skills are a must.

With a little entrepreneurial spirit and business savvy, many HVAC technicians go on to own a business. Vocational schools prepare you for HVAC certification.

Human Resources

Human resource specialists handle the hiring process for businesses of all types. They also help with all aspects of employment law, employee onboarding and separation, employment benefits and much more. As a human resource specialist, you will:

  • Recruit job applicants
  • Screen references
  • Verify education credentials
  • Conduct interviews
  • Review compensation and benefit packages
  • Complete background checks
  • Maintain employee records

In a leadership role, you may manage employee relations and training programs, collaborating with upper management on recruiting and compensation strategies.

Information Technology

Few fields are growing faster than information technology. Jobs in IT are expected to grow 13 percent in the coming decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field is diverse with tremendous room for professional advancement. If you’re talented with computers, why not turn it into a career? Working in information technology, your responsibilities may include:

  • Installing, configuring and repairing hardware from computers to servers
  • Troubleshooting software applications
  • Basic programming
  • Repairing damaged hardware
  • Building and testing new systems
  • Evaluating and testing new components
  • Desktop publishing
  • Internet security
  • Performing daily maintenance and backups
  • Technical recordkeeping

A vocational school diploma qualifies you for a wide range of entry-level positions from help desk support to network specialist. With certification, experience and continuing education, the sky’s the limit. IT specialists may go on to become advanced programmers, database managers, software engineers and security analysts.

Medical Office Administration

The healthcare industry rivals the computer field in growth potential. As a medical office administrator, you’ll work with clinical professionals to keep healthcare offices running smoothly. Geared for entry-level opportunities, vocational school programs cover all relevant aspects of medical office management including:

  • Scheduling and workflow
  • Data entry
  • Insurance and reimbursement models
  • Human resources
  • Medical records management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Billing and coding
  • Accounting standards
  • Financial reporting
  • Healthcare law and ethics
  • Client care

Vocational schools prepare graduates for certification as medical office assistants. With experience, entry-level positions can lead to managerial and leadership roles in private practices, clinics or hospitals.

Final Thoughts

You invest a part of yourselves in every job you do, so moving on feels like leaving something behind. But we all have passions to fulfill before they slip away. Don’t look back and regret what might have been, move forward to a new career.

Want to Learn More?

At the Interactive College of Technology (ICT) we’re dedicated to helping you find the career training path that’s right for you.

At ICT, we offer career-focused programs and training that can help you get started in a new career or advance your current one. You’ll get hands-on training, industry recognized certifications, and real-world experience prior to graduation! We also offer continuing education courses to refresh and build on your current skills.

Let’s take the first step together! Contact us now to learn more.