Mammoth AwardsBefore making the move, here are some things you should do first to ensure smooth sailing later on.
Have you realized that where you are isn’t where you want to be? If so, there is one move that can change that: Get training to pick up a new skill and start a new career. And contrary to popular belief, there is no age limit to accomplishing this goal.
How do you transform your dream of starting a new career into reality? Information can help, as it’ll give you clarity. Use the following information to gain that clarity and discover resources that can help you define what you really want to do.
Look at Different Careers
You may know which career you want to jump into, or it could be a complete mystery. Either way, there’s a tool from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that can give you greater insight into what each career has to offer: The Occupational Outlook Handbook.
You’ll find a wealth of information at that link. You can go into it completely green if you have no idea what you want to pursue. Simply browse the different occupation groups, see what’s involved in each job and the requirements, and start making a list of potential careers.
If demand motivates you, there’s a section on the highest-paying and fastest-growing jobs.
Pick one of those if you want to ensure job security in the future.
There’s another government website that’s quite handy for anyone seeking a new career. It comes from the U.S. Department of Education and can point you in the right direction.
You can browse among 900-plus career options in different industries. You can also start from scratch by simply entering some keywords of things you’d like to do, such as “build houses.”
Each career result will give you a wealth of information on what it involves and what it takes to get there. You can also see the average salary and future projections on expected demand.
What To Do Next
Both of those tools can help you define what you want to do. Once you figure that out, you can use their detailed information to see the path you’ll need to take to reach that position.
If you see that you’ll need a degree, start looking for schools that match your needs. Unless you have a ton of cash saved up, you’ll probably need financial aid to pay for school or training.
You can get student aid from the government via grants and other funding, which is usually accomplished by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, for which there is no age limit.
Beyond government funding, you can also get help via scholarships. Don’t be afraid to talk to your employer, either, if you’re currently working. They may have a tuition assistance program to help you out.
Even if you have no idea what you want to do, start using the tools listed above. They’re so filled with information, they just might be the spark you need to figure out your future so you can move on to bigger and better things.
