Tips for Changing Careers During an Economic Recession

It’s not uncommon today for people who have been in the workforce for many years to shift careers, even in the midst of an economic downturn.  For many of these individuals, it’s a giant step towards a completely different career path, but for them, it’s worth the challenge.  It’s simply a matter of choosing a career that is in demand and/or one that is more fitting for one’s interest.  Unfortunately, it’s more difficult for those individuals who are the sole supporters of their families. Trying to manage a household, a job, and engage in social activities while going back to school and/or embarking on a new career- can be quite stressful.  Nevertheless, these folks are determined to make it work in order to stay competitive in the job market.  And then there are those individuals who desire to change careers but are afraid to make a move outside of their comfort zone. And lets not forget about the procrastinators. If you are thinking about making a career transition sometime soon, this article explains how you can successfully carry out your ambition even during an economic recession. Bottom line, it’s never too late to make a career change.

Choosing a career- first you will need to decide what it is you want to do.  What is your career goal? What do you have a passion for?  Don’t be afraid to go after a career that is drastically different from your current job. For example, if you are a lawyer but you want to become a doctor.  Or if you are a pharmacist but you want to go to law school.  A secretary but have decided you want to become a teacher. Or maybe you’re a teacher but have a passion for nursing. Whatever your newfound passion is…go for it!


Plan ahead- before you can pursue a career change, you will need to establish realistic goals and determine how you intend to achieve your goals. Career change doesn’t happen over night but requires strategic planning. How long will it take you to attain your new career goals?  How will this affect your family life? What are your salary expectations? How much money will you need to finance your career overall?  How do you plan to finance your education?  Are you eligible for financial aid?  Will you have to relocate?  How much of your expenses are reimbursable, if any?  These are just some things you will need to give careful thought to before you make your move. 

Research your field of interest in advance- do as much research on your desired field as possible to learn what it involves.  How difficult (not impossible) will it be to achieve your passion?  What are the job prospects for this career?  It there a promising future for this particular field?  If you know of anyone who currently holds a position in this field, you should ask them for advice…given that they have the job knowledge, skills, and experience already.

Volunteer in this field- is this really your passion…or are you just trying to get away from your boss temporarily, or maybe you just want to change jobs and not make a complete career change, or you’re competing against a colleague? A good way to determine if this is the right field for you-is to volunteer in that capacity.  This way you will get a feel for the job itself along with some first-hand experience.  After volunteering for a while, you might discover that this is not the right profession for you after all, or you may want to continue to pursue this career. 


Choose an educational institution- you will more than likely have to find a suitable learning institution so that you can receive proper training and education in your chosen profession.  Bear in mind that some professions will require that you get a degree(s) in a certain discipline from an accredited college, whereas some jobs only require that you obtain a certificate or other official document that displays you have completed the required courses for the job. It simply depends upon your field.

Do an internship- after you have completed your educational requirements for your chosen profession, you should try doing an internship. Keep in mind that for some career majors…you are required to do an internship.  Even though you will be paid very little wages or nothing for your work, it’s an excellent way acquire job knowledge and to get hands-on experience.  You can also list this on your resume under experience, as well as obtain job recommendations from the employer.

Update your resume- now that you have completed your education and gained some valuable experience, it’s time to update your resume. Tailor your resume to match the specific job you are targeting. Impress potential employers by showcasing your outstanding credentials in your resume. Be sure to list your most current credentials…such as, degrees, diplomas, certificates, license, internships, volunteer jobs and other relevant information.

Use effective job search tactics- last, it’s time to begin your job search. Utilize all resources that are available for job searchers; network with other professionals such as you- via Linked In social network site, career centers, and career fairs.  Post your resume on Career Builder, Monster.com, and other job boards.  Sign up with employment agencies to help find suitable work. Target employers who interest you directly when applying for work.  Apply to companies where you've volunteered and/or did an internship with previously. Your dream job is out there. Search actively and aggressively until you find it.