Would love some advice on where to start in a career change.

10 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 19,2025 at 5:18AM UTC

   Look at your resume and skills, and see what types of jobs you might enjoy and align with that. List your soft skills to see what's out there. Career counselor from your college might be a goo resource.

2. L.S.September 19,2025 at 1:28PM UTC

   Thank you for that!. I am older now 50’s so that’s where I struggle on the move and financial reasons etc

3. AnonymousSeptember 19,2025 at 9:41AM UTC

   When you were a small child, what did you dream of doing? Is there any career in the real world that you are qualified for or could realistically get qualified for that would fulfill what you were most passionate about then?

   Another idea: ask friends and family what kind of job they think you would be good at, and if you have one or more college degrees, ask the advising center there for help.

   There are also career inventory tests available online; you might find some free ones that could be enlightening.

   If none of that works, you could stay in your current career but start doing some volunteering that speaks to what you care most about. Good luck!

4. L.S.September 19,2025 at 1:27PM UTC

   Thank you for responding

   I have always loved helping people. Doesn’t matter what but, the feeling that I helped someone feel better do something for them. I volunteer with my therapy dogs and we just love it, such a fulfilling feeling. So something along those lines of purpose I’d say

5. Barb HansenSeptember 19,2025 at 3:04PM UTC

   I suggest reading (or listening to) the book "What Color is my Parachute."

   The book has been around for years and it's constantly being updated. I'm sure you can find it at your local library.

   The book is great at helping people (including me) find what skills they have that can be transferred to a new career and/or identify what they want to do next.

6. LauraSeptember 20,2025 at 3:30AM UTC

   Here are some steps I have my clients go through:

   Identify what you want your overall life to look like and how your job fits into that life - now, a year from now, 5 years from now, etc.

   Reflect on these questions: what have you enjoyed/not enjoyed in past roles, what do people see you as the go to person for, what are your strengths, what are you doing when you feel most in the "zone" i.e time flies by, what skills do you have that are transferrable

   Ask people you've worked with (can be in any capacity not just paid!) what they see as your strengths because sometimes it's hard for us to see them

   As you start thinking of possible professions, reach out to people who can provide you with more information i.e. what a day in the life is, what their journey was like, areas to upskill in

   Look into strategic volunteering, look into free/low cost ways of learning about the areas you're interested in like Coursera, Udemy, etc which may be free through your local library, auditing college courses (super low cost way to see if you're truly interested in an area) and even start doing freelance work if possible to get experience and insights (I did this with writing where I went from 0 bylines to being featured on major websites)

   Join professional organizations where you can learn more about certain industries and connect with people

   Hope this helps!

7. AnonymousSeptember 21,2025 at 5:26PM UTC

   You didn’t state your purpose or what you’re seeking. I would suggest looking at Occupational Outlook handbook via the federal bureau of statistics bls.gov/ooh as it’s a great resource to look at your interests and find jobs within those areas.

8. AnonymousSeptember 22,2025 at 3:44PM UTC

   I've heard of people taking free quizzes online; some are paid though. Essentially, it's a career quiz. You answer a few questions to better understand your personality, strengths, weaknesses, etc, and the result might provide insights/recommendations to look into. When I first onboarded into a new team, we all had to take a Myers Briggs personality quiz as a way to break the ice and understand the introverts/extroverts across our team. I believe this test is still free (I think it's called like 16 personalities.com or something). Anyhoo, it also shared some insights into the type of careers that might align with your personality type.

   Another one that my company has sponsored is the Strengths Finders (paid). Again, the goal is to help you better understand YOU with in aim in designing a unique leadership development/growth plan for yourself.

   Last recommendation, and I know some folks might not be on board with this suggestion, but have a conversation with ChatGPT/Co Pilot about your career change. You'd be surprised how it might help you identify what you could do next and even, design a career roadmap to help you hit your goal.

   Good luck to you!

9. AnonymousSeptember 24,2025 at 2:39PM UTC

   Pick a skill that you DO like doing but that is maybe not the focus of your job, and do a search on your preferred job board for what comes up with that skill. You might not be qualified for everything that turns up but it can give you some ideas for real jobs out there doing things that inspire you.

10. AnonymousOctober 4,2025 at 4:19PM UTC

    Take some aptitude tests online and be honest with your responses to interests and also what your expectations and needs are for a role and career growth. Then use that to review job posts for the content that it serves you back in the results. Apply to those items that resonate and also talk to others who have been in those role and grown in their careers. Find a mentor, join some meetups or other linkedin groups that talk about the roles and how great they are. You can figure it out!