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If you’re anything like me, you may have found yourself graduating without having the faintest idea of what you wanted to do with your life. You decided to complete a generic business or arts degree that would keep your options open so you could specialize in a particular area in the future once you worked out what you really wanted to do.
Meanwhile, you needed to earn some money and build some experience, so you applied for a range of roles you fit the criteria for and ended up landing a decent position in a reputable company with good benefits and job security. Next thing you know, you’ve been working there for more than a decade but have found you’re less than enthusiastic about heading into the office to face yet another day of the same old thing.
A change in career path could be the answer. If you’re thinking of a change in direction, here are five career paths you may not have considered that could just be what you’re looking for.
Design
If you’re artistically gifted, there are plenty of career options in the world of design that could pique your interests.
With the digital world acting as the driving force behind many of today’s businesses, there’s quite a bit of demand for talented graphic and web designers out there. However, if you’re not technically-minded, an interior or fashion design job could be more up your alley. As with most career changes, if you’re going to pursue a career in design, you’ll likely need to re-skill by completing some training or a short course. However, it could offer you the change you’ve been looking for.
Health and Fitness
If you’ve had enough of your desk job and are craving a more active, hands-on role, a career in the health and fitness industry could be ideal.
Whether you get qualified as a personal trainer, yoga instructor, swimming teacher, sports coach, physiotherapist, acupuncturist, myotherapist, masseuse, nutritionist, nurse, or midwife, the options really are endless in the health and fitness industry. The amount of training required will vary based on your chosen profession, however, a career in the industry can be highly rewarding for both you and your clients or patients.
Freelancing
The world of freelancing is very different to working 9 to 5 for a single employer, but it can offer a world of benefits. If you want variety in your work, the flexibility to work remotely or from home, or the ability to pick and choose which jobs you accept, freelance work could be the answer.
However, there are some downsides. You’re essentially going to be self-employed, meaning you’ll be solely responsible for managing all your marketing, systems, workload, and finances. You could also face variability in your workload with little to no guarantee of future income and may also struggle to work in an isolated environment.
If you do, however, think it could be a good fit for you, there are opportunities for freelancers who specialize in graphic design, content or copy writing, sales, software or web development, consulting, or if you’re a talented linguist, as an interpreter or translator.
Child Care
If you’re the nurturing type and are gifted with loads of patience, a career in child care could be a good move.
Whether you can see yourself working in a day care center, teaching a kindergarten class, or operating a family day care business, there’s plenty of demand for skilled child care workers. You will, however, need to get qualified by completing a course like these childcare courses in Melbourne before you can start working in the industry.
Investor
If you’ve managed to accumulate a bit of cash, have excellent quantitative and analytical skills, and aren’t averse to risk, a career as a full-time investor could be for you.
Whether you have a keen eye for shares, currency trading, or property investments, there’s plenty of money to be earned if you’re smart about what you invest in. However, there’s also a lot of risk. If you want to pursue a career as an investor, it’s a good idea to start small with a few small investments to get a feel for how it all works before throwing in the towel at your current role.