How you can change your career in just five steps

Whether you’re considering a shift within your industry or looking for a total career transformation, here’s how to make your move, simply and successfully.

Open Uni

Whether you’re considering a shift within your industry or looking for a total career transformation, here’s how to make your move, simply and successfully.

Staying in the same job your whole career went the way of the dinosaurs years ago, and now, it’s increasingly unlikely you’ll even stay in the same industry. We’re living and working longer than ever before, so career changes – big and small – have become commonplace, and totally achievable.

Whether you’re a nurse with ambitions to become a doctor, or a gymnast that wants to cartwheel into data analysis, a career change is entirely within reach according to career expert and psychologist, Suzie Plush. Here, she shares the five effective steps to take so you can switch up your profession.

An expert’s guide to changing careers

1) Self-reflect

Taking time to consider your current position is an all-important first step in setting a new course. “This is all about asking why you want to make a change and finding what it is that’s causing you to look at your options,” says Plush. “Do you want to make a side-step and change jobs within your current industry, or do you want to make a complete U-turn and change your occupation and your industry, too? Really think about what you haven’t liked in your career, as well as what you do like and the things you’re good at.”

2) Assess your skills

Ask yourself, what are your current skills and what skills do you need to work on to make a change? You may find that you already have a head start in some areas. “Some transferrable skills that will help you bridge the gap are written and verbal communication skills, problem-solving skills,the ability to critically analyse, digital literacy and people and project management skills,” says Plush. “Work on trying to discover what areas you need to develop, or gaps you need to bridge.” If you find you need to develop your skills, but don’t want to put your current career on hold, then studying online with leading universities through Open Universities Australia (OUA) provides you with the flexibility to study in your own time and at your own pace.

3) Retrain and reskill

“If you need to build hard skills, such as learning new systems and programs, or if you’re looking to move into a field that requires specific training, such as health, find a way to upskill that suits you,” says Plush. If you have flexible study options and tailored learning that fits into your schedule, you’re more likely to stay on track. Through OUA, you can choose from hundreds of degrees in multiple areas of study from 14 universities across Australia. Alternatively, if you’re simply looking to upskill in a specific area then there are thousands of subjects to choose from at undergraduate and postgraduate level, which can be the perfect solution when setting out to fill a competency gap.

4) Grow your network

Talking to people can lead to the ‘in’ you’re looking for. It’s never too late to develop your network and the faster you get on to it, the better. Chat to people in your desired role and ask for advice to help you make the move. “This is an underestimated step, and one that can be very powerful, so it’s important not to skip this one,” says Plush. “If you’re studying and retraining, network throughout the process – don’t wait until the end of your course because it takes time to build these relationships, and they’re incredibly valuable.”

5)Reach out

Career changes are attainable, even more so when you have access to support. “Reach out to your family and friends when you need to, and make sure you’re taking care of yourself throughout the process, too,” says Plush. “It’s important to take a long-game approach; be realistic about what you can achieve and how long it might take to achieve. There is no point in throwing yourself headfirst into a career overhaul only to burn out.” Whatever and however you choose to study, OUA offers support and assistance right from the start to make sure you get all the way through to the finish.

Set a new course

It’s never too late to step into the career you truly want. Open Universities Australia offers hundreds of degrees and more than 1,500 single subjects from 14 leading Australian universities to help you build the skills you need to make the switch. Explore the options available at open.edu.au or call a friendly student advisor on 13 OPEN.

Originally published as How you can change your career in just five steps