The 21st century has brought us a wealth of new career opportunities, particularly in the digital sector. However, it has also brought an increase in the number of people taking a step back and asking themselves what they are really contributing to the world.
We all want to do something that makes a difference, and perhaps this is why there are more people than ever choosing to make a career change in their 30s, 40s or beyond. If that is a sentiment that strikes a chord, here are some careers you might want to consider that are easier to transition to in later life than you might have thought.
Healthcare
It’s the ultimate sector for those who want to help others, but if you thought a career in healthcare means long years in medical school, think again. Take a look at a specialist healthcare careers website like Cygnet Jobs and you will soon see a range of roles from maintenance to marketing and from IT to admin.There are also plenty of hands-on roles, for example in senior care, that do not require extensive academic qualifications and that will give you the opportunity to gain on the job training and certifications as you go.
Teaching
There has been a shortage of teachers for a number of years,and if you decide to make the switch to teaching after a career in another field, you will find no lack of support and even financial incentives to help you get qualified.Salaries are better than you might think, and the holidays make this a perfect career for those with children. Teaching also offers a huge amount of variety and different opportunities to specialise, whether it is in a particular subject, working with specific age groups or even focusing on teaching children with special needs.
Firefighting
Few jobs allow you to make such a tangible and dramatic change to people’s lives as firefighting. You can start out as a volunteer, which is a great way to get through the necessary training and certification. When fully qualified, there are good career progression opportunities through watch manager to station manager. Of course, the job has a degree of risk attached to it, and you will need to be fit and resilient, both mentally and physically.
Counseling
If you are a good listener and able to put yourself into the shoes of others, a move to counselling could be for you. Counsellors offer pragmatic advice to people facing a range of challenges in life, including addiction, mental health difficulties and marital problems to name but a few. Counsellors undertake professional training, but the most important qualities, like empathy, communication skills and a non-judgemental attitude are ones that cannot be taught.
Make the change – and make a difference
Whatever your current career, if you feel it is lacking meaning and purpose, it is never too late to make a change. The rewards are more than just financial, and it is something you will never regret.
