Making a career transfer is no simple decision, particularly when making the shift aged 40 or older. You might be thinking about which occupations are actually worth returning to school for at this stage of the development process and if the time (and money) spent getting a certificate or degree is worth the result. Luckily, there are several careers that are worth the mid-career come back to education whether income, job security, happiness, or fulfillment at work is your focus for making the switch. Making a career switch requires a lot of guts. It is not an easy decision as you will have to start from scratch again. This is why a lot of people stay in their current jobs and are okay with being unhappy. But, if you do take the risk and succeed, then you will forever be grateful to yourself for making that decision.
This is why, if you feel like you are unhappy in your current job, no matter how much the money is, you should think of taking a career change. This might cut off your funding for a while, but it will be an amazing opportunity for you to find new things that you love to do. This is why we have put together the top 10 best career options that you can choose if you are planning to go back to school. These career options are a lot faster, and you will be able to be successful if you are passionate enough.
1. Nurse
Nursing is a safe career path considering going to school, with steady and consistent anticipated growth and median compensation of $70,000 per year. Expect to give care, education, and support to individuals with diverse medical requirements at hospitals, physician’s clinics, and/or via home care to excel in this industry. Nursing students can pursue an associate’s nursing degree (2 years), a nursing-school specialized diploma (duration varies), or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (duration varies) (4 years). Even though registered nurses are paid good money, it is not a career choice for everyone. It will require a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience. You will have to learn how to treat patients with love and care, and you should obviously not be queasy or easily nauseous. Even though nursing is a tough career option, if you enjoy taking care of people and if you also like to interact with different types of people as part of your job, then this is a great career choice for you.
2. Medical Administrative Assistant
A profession as a medical secretary may fit you well if you desire to work in the medical area without having direct contact with patients. These professions earn a median annual pay of $34,610.Medical secretaries are responsible for more than just scheduling appointments. This position frequently deals with medical documents, billing, and the creation of medical charts. Candidates for this role must have good clerical abilities as well as a basic understanding of medical language, technology, and processes. While entry-level opportunities with only a high school certificate may be available, specialized training might help an experienced medical office administrator find a job faster.
3. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are another fantastic choice in the healthcare profession, with a typical annual compensation of $86,850. Due to injuries, diseases, and procedures, a competent Physical Therapist will assist patients in managing pain and improving physical movement. To work as a physical therapist, you’ll require a Ph.D. in physical therapy (3 years) as well as a bachelor’s degree in science (4 years). Many degree programs provide a 6-year degree path to fulfill all prerequisites from start to finish if you have no prior college education. While the time it takes to complete college is on the longer side, the meaningful work and pay recorded by physical therapists in the United States make it well worth it in the end.
4. Software Developer
The IT industry isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Indeed, as technology keeps taking over the workforce, this is a stable, secure, and even profitable job option for anyone considering a change. A software developer’s average annual income is presently around $103,560. Expect to write applications for PCs, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets to earn that pay! A bachelor’s computer science degree or software engineering is common among successful software engineers. You may be capable of completing a Bachelor of Science degree program in as little as two years if you have an undergrad degree. Skilled software developers never have any shortage of good payment. They are always in need and will always be in demand too. Once you have acquired the basic skills, this job allows you to be creative also. This is why a lot of people choose this career option. If you are an indoor person, this job will especially suit you. It will take you some time to master the basics of software development. You should never stop updating yourself, and you should keep on learning new things every day. This is how you will be able to prosper in your career as a software engineer.
5. Web Developer
A web developer is exactly what it sounds like: a professional who creates websites from conception to completion for a median annual compensation of $67,990. Web developers can work for a design or marketing firm, freelance, or even start their own company building websites for other companies and professionals. Because web developers frequently produce both the back-end and front-end of a website, they must be skilled in both coding and visual design. Because of this skill mix, there are a variety of paths one can pursue to begin a career in web development. In this industry, an associate’s degree or a four-year degree in website design is very typical; however, a combination of graphic design and web programming programs can also help you get started. It’s also not uncommon for many web designers to be totally self-taught; that’s something to think about if you want to save time & expense.
6. Accountant
Accountants (as well as auditors) deal with financial statements, taxes, and records. Their role is to guarantee that all economic information is correct and that taxes are paid correctly and on time, whether for a corporation, a professional, or an individual. If you’re thinking about becoming an accountant, you should know that the average annual compensation is $69,350. A bachelor’s degree in accounting is common among accountants and auditors. Companies, on the other hand, are increasingly favoring those with a master’s degree in accounting or a similar subject in business. A bachelor’s degree will take you four years, and a master’s degree will take you two. This is a great career option if you are someone who is into finance and math.
7. University Professor
If you prefer working with older students, a profession in higher education can be as fulfilling as assisting students in achieving their goals. Furthermore, with a typical annual salary of $76,000, a profession in higher education pays well. Furthermore, because many schools and universities provide online degree programs for their students, becoming a college lecturer might help to work from anywhere. Professors at most traditional four-year colleges must have at least a master’s degree, if not a doctorate. Pursuing a doctorate at the age of 40 may sound difficult, but if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can simply convert it to a master’s or even a doctorate in a field similar to your prior field of study. Although if you don’t want to spend lots of time in school, you’re in luck: many commercial, state, and community schools hire higher education teachers with master’s degrees and established experience in their fields.
8. Academic Success Counselor
Consider becoming an educational performance counselor if you want to work in education but don’t want to be in the classroom. These individuals provide support and assistance to students in universities, assisting them in the pursuit of their degrees. School counselors (also known as academic achievement counselors) earn a median pay of $55,410 per year. Most schools require school counselors to have a master’s degree as well as a school counseling certification or credential. It’s a good idea to focus on professional development as well, especially if you want to work as a counselor in higher education. If you already have some education, such as an associate’s degree, you can finish all of your studies for a profession as a school counselor in as little as four years.
9. Market Research Analyst
A profession as a market research associate is a safe bet for a career transition, with a growth rate of 26% and rising. [4] Even better, market research analysts can work in a range of industries, as many different sorts of corporations use their services to manage their operations. So, what exactly is a market research analyst’s job description? Typically, this position’s goal is to research and forecast trends in a target market for a certain organization, assisting in determining who to sell about and how to market to them. A market research analyst gets a median annual pay of $63,230.
10. Search Engine Optimization Specialist
Search engine optimization professionals, a relatively new vocation compared to the others in this roundup, combine market survey, web design, and advertising to excel in their roles.
Put bluntly; they collaborate closely with search engine algorithms such as Google’s and Bing’s to drive traffic to their customers’ websites, with the aim of that traffic ranging from greater views and social media interaction to increased sales.
The median compensation for a search engine optimization specialist is $55,530 per year, as per Payscale, and the position has a high job satisfaction rate.
