Is my career change at 30 even possible?
For some people, age can be the difference between avoiding risk or embracing it by starting new careers.
Starting a new career at age 30 for example, may depend on what type of career you’re considering and the preparation it involves.
Nevertheless, there are important tips to consider if you’re a 30-year-old new career seeker.
Can I start a new career at 30?
Usually, by this age, the goal is to settle for a well-paying job, have a family, further your studies and earn a promotion.
Nevertheless, understand that not everyone’s journey to success follows the traditional route. Age is therefore, not a defining factor when it comes to achieving career goals.
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Why is 30 a good time for a career change?
Given that achieving career success beyond the age of 30 is possible, how can someone achieve a career change at this point in their life?
Higher self-awareness
With age comes maturity, greater confidence and higher self-awareness. At 30, you have sufficient awareness and life experience to determine your interests, skills and strengths. Based on these strengths, you are in a much better position to choose a career path that aligns with your capabilities.
There is still time.
Your life does not drastically change overnight because you’ve turned 30. Generally speaking, you still have the majority of your years ahead of you. This means you still have sufficient time to pursue your goals, invest, learn new skills, meet new people and inevitably start a new career.
Transferable skills and education
By 30, you would have likely worked for a number of years, (or jobs), performed a fair amount of networking, picked up a few organisational skills, as well as pursued higher education. This means you’re a more marketable candidate at 30, compared to your graduate years. You will find that starting a new career path is therefore, much easier.
Greater opportunities to capitalise.
Having transferable skills and qualifications means you can apply for positions that were previously unattainable – maybe at a managerial level. You can also transfer your skills across industries or start side businesses to diversify your income streams.
How to change career at 30?
Now that you know forging new career paths at 30 is possible and feasible, when starting your new career, ensure that you:
Have clear direction
Whether it’s aptitude tests, psychometric exams or speaking to a career coach, you need a plan of direction. It is critical that your plan includes listing career goals, interests, strengths and experience to identify where you can have the most impact and achieve career fulfillment.
Re-assess your professional network
Reach out to old contacts and re-ignite past conversations and relationships. At this point in your life, shyness will advance your career nowhere. Be upfront and let those in your network know that you’re seeking new opportunities. Specify the opportunities in terms of field, industry and management level for additional clarity on what you’re seeking.
Conduct extensive research
You may have more opportunities available, but do these opportunities align with your career goals and interests? Research the local and regional job market, to identify what jobs are available that generate interest, as well as which industries are hiring and forecasted to grow.
Obtain new skills
Skills are the currency of the 21st century. Nothing propels your career forward than refining a skill that earns revenue and grows companies. Such skilled people are always in demand. Browse online job boards to identify which skills are presently needed in the Caribbean and the companies that are actively searching for them.
Gain relevant experience
If this new path is the career direction you’re certainly pursuing, don’t be opposed to gathering the required experience to remain competitive in the job market.
Recreate your resume
Give your resume a polished look. Make use of modern online templates that look interesting, yet are simple enough to maintain professionalism. Within your 1–2-page resume, highlight your transferable skills, qualifications, awards and actionable experience.
Persevere
In the Caribbean job market, applicants will always outnumber available positions. Therefore, keep learning, keep growing and persevere and you will achieve your goals.
Best careers to transition to at 30
Some fields such as medicine requires significant years of training. For others, age is an important determinant for performance, such as some types of sports, (football for example). Nevertheless, you can pursue a lucrative career path in other industries such as:
- Computer science & technology – With technology, the more experienced you are, the more marketable you become. Companies recruit tech professionals to provide solutions. Your maturity and working experience therefore, will serve as an asset.
- Business analysts/management – Years of working experience, higher qualifications and skills potentially makes you an ideal for a junior or mid-level managerial position at 30.
- Healthcare –If you have a passion for health and fitness, you’re young enough to consider career options in nursing, nutritionists, physical therapists, personal training, pharmacists, health & safety, paramedics, mental health social work, research and administration.
- Education – At age 30, you can pursue a new career in teaching – primary, secondary or tertiary level, training and development, business coaching or counselling.
- Consultancy –You could also provide solutions in financial, marketing, business development, information technology, management, sales or strategic consultancy.
- Entrepreneurship –Being 30 is a prime time to start your own enterprise. You have those transferable skills, industry experience and a stable network to begin building your own clientele and work for yourself.
Best career change tips at 30
When starting your new career path, remember these additional tips:
- Stop thinking you’re too old for anything. Focus on the advantages of being a 30-year-old professional and the opportunities available.
- Understand how money works – Invest in sound financial education to manage your finances better in your thirties.
- Evaluate more than just money – You should be experienced enough to know that money alone does not bring job fulfillment. Consider other factors such as potential for growth and quality of life when forging a new career path.
- Be more selective of your network – Evaluate people and their contribution to your life. At this stage, you should be seeking people of value within your network who can inspire, educate and motivate you.
- Regardless of age, strong support, whether it’s financial or emotional is critical for career success.
