A couple of generations ago, people chose a career and stayed in it for life. Generally, they went to school, graduated, found a company to work for, and stayed there until they retired.
It doesn’t really work that way anymore. Workers change companies and even industries all the time. Employers lay off workers in droves, and rehire later — an ebb and flow in the world of business.
If you are at a point in your life when you are looking at a possible career change, here are some tips for making the transition as smooth as possible.
Go to school. Nothing makes a transition easier than an education. You’re not going to have any experience going into the new industry, so an education is necessary to convince potential employers that you are serious about this career change. For instance, if you are going to work in the culinary arts industry, check out a culinary school such as Kitchen Academy Seattle.
Gain experience before switching industries. Getting experience where you can before switching industries will help you transition into a new career. This might be in the form of volunteer work, internships while you are in school, or a part time job in the new industry while you are still working at your old job.
Work through the transition. The most important thing is to continue working. If you decide to go to school, keep your old job until you are able to break into your new industry. Of course your college may be able to help you break in a little easier. In any case, continuing to work will maintain your work history, not to mention ensure that you have enough money to support yourself and pay for your schooling.
Ah, Florida: Home of a great deal of retired people, a controversial election decision, and a whole lot of Cubans. I love it here in Tampa, and even when I was finished up high school, I knew if I was going to be happy, I was going to have to find a school in the area that I would enjoy so that I didn’t have to move somewhere less than desirable.
After enrolling in Tampa Sanford Brown, I also realized that after I graduate I’ll be able to find a job in the area as well. With all the friends I have here, all of the family, and especially all of the sun and beaches, there was no way I wanted to go elsewhere. So finding out that I had the option to stay in the city I love, do a job I would enjoy and most importantly sunbathe on weekends was something that caused me a great deal of joy. I can’t say I expected to find a location to go to school and live that I would be so pleased with, but I found that here in Tampa, and I’m glad I get to stay here as long as I want.
The health care industry is so complex, that it is no wonder there are specialists for almost every available field. From surgical technicians to medical billing specialists, each occupation has its own specific training that can take months or years to complete, simply because of how complex the business is.
It is this complexity that leads many people to attend colleges like the White Plains Sanford Brown Institute, where they can learn all about the intricacies of the field. Each class is taught with the goal of ultimately creating someone that is 100% ready for a single occupation. They will not need any additional training, they will not need to compromise on the job they pick. They will know exactly which job they have studied for and how to do that job efficiently.
This allows people to be skilled in their occupations and ultimately go on to lead successful lives knowing exactly what they are good at and what they will accomplish. The security of a job like that – one that will always exist and that there is always a need for – is why an education at a private college for the health care industry can be so beneficial.
I get asked all the time how to get started as a freelance writer. Launching a career in freelance graphic design — which one of my friends does — isn’t really much different.
Just as in writing, the most important thing is to be able to demonstrate to potential clients that you have the skill and know-how to produce what it is they want. One of the top ways to do this is to get a degree in the field, such as from the Collins school of graphic design. Clients also often want to see that you are experienced, whether or not you have a degree, so it may take a little while to build enough experience to land jobs quickly and easily. As you gain experience, you will need to build a portfolio of your work — the way my friend does it is to have a website with samples of her work, to which she directs potential clients.
Freelancing is rewarding work, no matter what you do — writing or graphic design. However, it’s important to remember that more is dependent on your work habits and ambition when you go into business for yourself. Be sure to mind your Ps and Qs and you’ll be just fine!
One thing I have found about the Academy of Design and Technology in Chicago is that the school is very focused on the latest trends, technologies and the future of them. This is important to me for one main reason. I realize that by the time, I have gotten through two or four years of school, what was new when I entered no longer will be new.
When you contact student services, you can learn more about the programs the school offers including the huge range of opportunities out there for job placement and advanced training. These are aspects I found interesting and promising, especially as I consider the range of schools available to me here. The campus and all of the equipment and mediums available here are modern, which is something every student should look for in a design and technology school. I know I want to work with the latest technology when I enroll in the programs here in the Chicago school.
