Feeling unfulfilled? You aren’t alone. With only a third of employees saying they feel engaged at work, more and more mid-career workers are daydreaming of a fresh start. But after investing years of your life in a position or industry, you may be wondering how to change careers without setting yourself back professionally and financially.
Explore a new industry and learn the skills it demands quickly with digital badges. Badges are online credentials from the University Learning Store can help you add to your current base of great experience with skills specific to your new industry. Start with a badge to get the feel for a new career, and once you’ve found something that fits, dig deeper with a series of badges to complete a certificate. Seasoned professionals can feel confident about courses through the University Learning Store because they are supported by top universities across the country—which means you’re getting the best of the best as you explore a new path.
Try It First
Before committing to a career move, explore your options. Arrange an informational interview with someone in a role that interests you to learn more about a new industry. Once you’ve found an opportunity that interests you, get the skills you need to make the leap with digital badges. Badges are affordable—most are less than $100—so you can explore a new industry without investing too much money too soon. With short online classes ranging from project coordination to supply chain management, you can learn core competencies for a wide range of industries—and you can do it on your own time while still working in your current role.
Raise the Stakes
Once you earn a few badges, check in on your skills. Have you learned what you need to take the next step, or could you benefit from more depth in a specific area? Showcase the skills you’ve developed by earning a series of digital badges to earn complete certificates that will prove your mastery to prospective employers. Comprised of three short badges, a certification like Global Business Communication builds your knowledge of digital communication tools like email and videoconferencing. Badges and credentials from the University Learning Store are verified by top Higher Ed institutions, so they can put you in the running for in-demand positions.
Keep Your Options Open
The question of how to change careers isn’t an easy one—and there’s no one right way to answer it. If you aren’t sure where you want to land in a new career, consider going broad with badges to improve essentials like communication and leadership. Power skills like these are relevant in virtually every industry, so they can help you get ahead no matter what path you take. Professional development training will show prospective employers you’ve taken initiative to better yourself, which will help you stand out in any field.
Make the Move
When the time is right, be bold seeking opportunities in your new field. Tap into your personal networks, and let people know you are looking for openings that match your new skillset. Display your badges prominently on your application materials and your LinkedIn page. You may feel a little nervous when you first land an interview, especially if you haven’t been out in the job market for several years. But you can brush up on your job interview skills with career development badges like Succeeding in the Job Interview through Active Listening, where you’ll learn how to respond thoughtfully to common job interview questions. Digital badges are fast, so you can quickly pick up practical skills before a big interview.
Where a mid-life career move was once a lofty undertaking, you can now shift your focus once or even several times throughout your career without falling behind thanks to digital badges. Find the digital badge that’s right for you and make your move.