In most cases, you change jobs The time will come when you want to According to a 2021 Fast Company survey, 52% of his U.S. workers are considering a career change, and 44% have taken action to make it happen. some responsibility. Not when you're old, when you have a mortgage, when people rely on you for your care, or when you're already retired.

Such a To decide if a change is right for you, consider what you need to do to prepare for the next stage and the associated costs. Additional training or advanced degrees may be required for the following positions: And if you're ready to start your own business, you may need a startup-friendly credit card. If you don't have the money to pay for the program, you may consider charging an amount that you can't currently pay.

Reasons to change jobs

There are many reasons for wanting to leave an established career behind, says A.J. Vollmoeller, a Key West, Fla.-based career coach and author of How to Not Get Hired. Major:

• Boring: I'm just tired of doing the same thing every day. It's no longer worth it.
• No room to grow: You wanted to move up the corporate ladder, but you ended up with nowhere to go.
• Your job is not good
• Your company is failing: Layoffs premonition Is there?
• The industry is changing: Good to get if the industry you're in is becoming anachronistic.
• I don't have enough income: Your current situation may be fine, but your salary is too low.
• Work-life imbalance: When you spend too much time at work and not enough

“In the past, whether you liked the job or hated it, you took the job and stayed,” says Vollmoeller. “It's acceptable to explore more opportunities now, regardless of age, but you need to make sure that changing careers is something you want to do.”

” Everyone has a bad day at work and starts thinking about it,” he says. “It's always when you start having such thoughts that you need to take that desire seriously.”

Understanding new careers and identifying educational gaps

Resist the urge to quit before figuring out exactly what your desired career entails and what your day-to-day job really looks like, says Vollmoeller. Talk to as many people in the industry as possible. Attend informational interviews (informal meetings with recruiters) to learn what the job really entails.

If you really want to change jobs, review not only your own resume, but also the resumes of those who are thinking of changing jobs. in that profession. This way, you can see if you have or need to acquire skills and education that you can appeal to.

For example, you've been in marketing for 20 years and you're called to social services. You may have a solid background in working with and influencing people, so you can highlight that on your resume. What you don't have is a master's degree in social work, which many states require. With that information, you can plan your return to school and consider how to manage the associated costs.

“A career change always requires a plan,” he says Vollmoeller. “I know you want to migrate, but your mind is spinning.”

Do your research slowly. Go online and type “certification and training” for your desired job in the search bar. Next, look at other people's resumes, which are often available on LinkedIn, and identify constants regarding degrees, certifications, and licenses. Learn what others have and you don't.

Balance education costs and try to lower it

Once you know what the job entails, you have to figure out how to pay for it — and the price and time effort Is it worth it?

For example, if your dream is to be a university professor, you should know that the reality usually requires a PhD. The Education Data Institute reports that a PhD costs an average of $98,800 and takes four to eight years to complete. Only you know if it's worth it.

Other professions don't require such a costly and time-consuming graduate degree, but do require specialized classes and certifications. Please find out if they will pay for it.

This is what Beth Pinsker, a personal finance writer and certified financial her planner from Brooklyn, NY, has done. Significant savings are possible. Her total tuition for CFP coursework is $4,675, according to the American College of Financial Services.

Be careful with certification programs, though, she warns Vollmoeller. I don't want to spend money on programs that I don't need or that aren't on my board. Credential Engine, a nonprofit dedicated to vocational training transparency, has discovered that there are thousands of credential programs in the United States. Many of them were developed as people changed jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Use Loans and Credit Cards Strategically

Convinced You Want To Move On, You Have Time To Get Training And It's Right For You Once you know that, consider your payment method. If your employer doesn't go get your tab and you don't have cash on hand, you can borrow money.

Student loans are available for college tuition and course materials and are worth using in many situations. Federal loans have low and fixed interest rates, and you can defer payments until after you graduate. Such loans are typically not discharged in bankruptcy, so until you pay them off in full, you're usually stuck. Private student loans are also useful, but they have higher interest rates than federal loans.

You can also use credit cards for education. Use your loyalty card to cover your costs and earn points or cash to reduce your costs. But do so with caution.

“Everything you put on [your credit card] you want to be able to pay off as quickly as possible,” says Pinsker. “Interest rates are rising, so you need to be very careful with your debt. Instead of using your credit card for tuition, use a low-interest loan. Please pay it off.”

Another option to consider is a 0% annual rate card. Some of the best interest-free credit cards offer very long introductory periods. The Wells Fargo Reflect® Card offers 21 months of interest-free financing. 0% annual introductory rate for 18 months from account opening and eligible balance transfer at time of purchase. Introductory APR extension of up to 3 months with minimum payment during the introductory and extension period. After that, the APR fluctuated from 17.24% to 29.24%. Balance transfers made within 120 days are subject to the introductory rate and a 3% fee, followed by a BT fee of up to 5% (minimum $5). Another great option is the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum card. If your accredited program can meet these time constraints and pay off your debt before your account's regular rate goes into effect, you can save a lot of money.

And if your next professional step is to start your own business, the right account will help build business credibility and help sustain and grow your business. .

Conclusion

Examine all the pros and cons of changing course later in life, including when you retire and go back to work. If you want to start with a part-time job and try water, that's another option.

And if you're going to make the leap from one profession to the next, commit to that leap. “Do it 100%,” he says Vollmoeller. “Focus on a set path and action plan that knows what the first few steps will be. This is your life. Everyone used to have a job they knew nothing about.

If that means borrowing money, borrow wisely.In addition to loans, a credit card can be a useful tool in building the next phase of your career. .Take your time to find the right cards for the next chapter.