When deciding to change careers at 45, 35, or any age, can be a challenging decision. It takes courage and effort, but it’s far from impossible. You still have plenty of time to make a career change at 30. Unless you already have a career in mind, you’ll need to do some introspection and explore different options that match your current interests, lifestyle, aspirations, and personality.
If you need some help to make a career shift, we’ve got you. In this guide, we will share some handy tips to help with your tech career change at 30. And if you’ve been wondering whether you can change careers at 30 with no degree, don’t worry, we’ll answer that question too. Ready? Let’s dive in.
Why Start a New Career at 30?
While changing your career at any age is possible, doing it at 30 can be significantly better than later. At 30, you still don’t have as many responsibilities as you would at 40 or 50. You probably have worked for around 10 years, and you still have a couple of decades more to save for retirement.
Changing careers can be extremely challenging in terms of finances, family, mental health, and time. However, by doing it at 30, you still have some time to invest in additional education, make the most of your relevant experience, and do what you like for the rest of your professional life.
The change will be worth it in the end. You will have the chance to build a successful career doing something you love. This will help you feel fulfilled, happy, and you might even increase your earning potential thanks to the experience and transferable skill sets you gained in your previous career.
Signs You Need a Career Change at 30
There are a couple of signs that can help you identify when it’s time for a career change. You shouldn’t confuse the need for a career change with job dissatisfaction. Your job is temporary, and there may be reasons why you don’t feel comfortable with it that are not related to your career. You can hate your boss, have a low salary, or have a toxic work environment. These are good reasons to leave a job, but you can have all that while still loving your profession.
In the following list, you will find a couple of signs that can help you figure out if it’s time to make a career jump.
- You no longer feel passionate. Passion is the fuel for your career, so not having it makes you lose motivation in your job.
- Feeling constantly demotivated is another good reason to shift careers. This happens when you no longer have goals to accomplish or dreams to follow.
- Your profession is affecting your health or your personal life on any level.
- Your salary isn’t enough. Even though people want to romanticize sacrificing your salary for a particular career, you’re a human with needs and career aspirations, so you need to find a job that matches your expectations.
- You’re always fantasizing about a different path. Sometimes it can just be that, a fantasy, but maybe it’s your inner self trying to let you know that you need to make a change.
How to Change Careers at 30
Now that you know that you indeed need a career change, it is time to make a plan. This career planning process will require introspection, patience, and acceptance. In addition, you will need to have organizational skills, as this decision should be taken seriously. Below, you will see the basic steps you should follow to make a career change at 30.
Evaluate Your Current Skills
Before jumping right into a new career path, you should evaluate your current career and transferable and soft skills. Ask yourself, what do you like about this profession? What are the things you don’t like about your current career and should avoid? This will help you make an informed decision about your new career path, and help you realize what skills and relevant experience you already have to help you succeed in your new path. If you need help evaluating your skills, take our free tech career quiz to help guide you.
Choose a Path and Do Your Research
Once you take stock of your skills and the things that interest you, you’ll need to choose a new career path. Once you’re clear on what you want to do, research the field thoroughly and learn everything you can about it.
A great option is to ask your peers, personal network, and relatives about the particular industry you are trying to join. This will give you an idea of the job opportunities, the work dynamic, and what you need to start on your new career path.
Figure Out What Education or Training You’ll Need
A career change often requires investing in an additional college degree or on-the-job training. This has a cost you should consider before diving into a new career. You should think about the resources, time, and availability it will take to invest in this new occupation. Some professions don’t ask you to have a bachelor’s degree but could require a particular set of skills that can be obtained through coding bootcamps, online courses, or certificates/certifications.
Obtain New Skills
The next step is to gain the new skills you’ll need. This might mean pursuing a new degree, seeking out online education such as courses or internships, or enrolling in a coding bootcamp. You also need to put time into practicing your new skills. This will boost your confidence and provide you with experience you can add to your resume once you start job hunting.
Update Your Resume
Now that you have the skills and experience to begin a new journey, you can update your resume to match your new career goals. Remember to include any relevant past experience, your transferable skills from your previous career, and any soft skills that can help you stand out amongst other job seekers. In addition, remember to always include a personalized cover letter in your job application.
Start the Job Hunt
It is time to start the job search process, and you shouldn’t limit your possibilities. There are multiple ways for job seekers to search for job postings, including through your professional network, job search platforms, and social media. You can improve your online presence with a website, digital resume, or social media, which can improve your visibility and help you stand out.
How to Change Careers at 30 with No Degree
Changing your career direction at 30 with no degree is possible, depending on the career you’re trying to pursue. Below we have compiled a few tips to help you transition into a new job at 30 without having a college degree.
- If you’re pursuing a career in tech, join an online coding bootcamp. They’re short-term, affordable, and offer career services to help you land a job upon graduation.
- Volunteer or join an internship program. This way, you will obtain relevant and up-to-date skills while having the opportunity to be hired by that particular company. You could also get an entry-level position that will help you boost your career opportunities in the future.
- Get a mentor. A career coach can guide you through the entire process, so you can clarify doubts, get in touch with relevant people in the industry, and improve your applications.
- Showcase your transferable skills. They will add value to your resume and help you differentiate yourself from others.
- Stay up-to-date with new developments and industry trends in your field. Never stop learning so you can be ready when the right job opportunity comes along.
Best Careers to Transition into at 30
| Career | Job Outlook | Average Salary | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Developer | 13% | $77,200 | Coding experience |
| Financial Analyst | 6% | $83,660 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Physician Assistant | 31% | $115,390 | Master’s degree |
| Teacher | 8% | $62,870 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Business manager | 7% | $132,290 | Bachelor’s degree |
High Paying Jobs That Are Great for Career Changers: A Closer Look
Web Developer
Web developers design, maintain and develop websites using front end and backend programming skills. This career is excellent for career changers at 30 because it doesn’t require a college degree and can be performed online, so you’ll enjoy a better work-life balance, and likely a high salary.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts help individuals in their investment decisions. They can work with businesses or individuals in banks, pension funds, and insurance companies. You can transition to a financial analyst career if you have a math and statistical background. With this type of educational background, you could also become a data scientist or a statistician.
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant is a healthcare provider that provides prescriptions and treatment to patients. They’re usually our first contact with medical aid at hospitals and clinics. If you’re more interested in the medical field, this could be a good career transition. It doesn’t require as much study as other medical fields, but you still need a master’s degree.
Teacher
Since you already have experience in another field, you can combine your expertise and your desire to make a positive impact on the world, and become a teacher. This is a highly rewarding, albeit challenging, career where you can help others acquire knowledge. You could work as an elementary, secondary, or university teacher. This career path will require a bachelor’s degree.
Business Manager
A business manager’s role is to oversee a team’s performance, provide directions, create strategies to meet corporate goals, and report data to the company’s stakeholders. To become a business manager, you can use your transferable skills and experience in your current career field. However, having a formal education, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or a related field, could help you boost your career.
Is It Too Late to Make a Career Change at 30?
No, 30 is still a great age to change careers. You’re not late because you still have a couple of decades of professional experience ahead. It’ll give you plenty of time to plan your retirement and work on your dream job. Besides, you may not have the responsibilities you will have later in life, giving you more space to pursue additional training.
Career Change at 30 FAQ
No, 30 is not too late to go to college. You can use the skills and experience you gained in your 20s to pursue a degree and build a fulfilling and successful career. Degree programs can help you access more job opportunities, gain hands-on experience, improve your self-esteem, and make a happy transition into your new field.
Change is always frightening, and you cannot avoid it even when you’re changing careers at 30. You will go through multiple challenges and you’ll need to adapt to new situations and environments. However, it’ll all be worth it if you persevere and land your dream career.
There is no real guideline as to what you should accomplish by 35. Everyone’s aspirations and paths are different, so you shouldn’t measure your future based on other people’s expectations. However, when talking about social standards, we could consider the US Census Bureau’s report on what you should have accomplished by 35. Some people expect to have a house, car, get married, and have a $50,000+ salary.
No, 30 is not too late to start a new business. In fact, being in your 30s gives you a solid foundation, because you’ll already have a couple of years of experience in a particular field, you’re still young, and you still have time to plan your finances.
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Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
