Time for a career change
Credit to Author: Nicole Enright-Morin| Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2022 12:08:31 +0000
If you’re thinking of pursuing a new direction for your career, here are some tips and advice to help you decide
There is only one constant in life and that’s change. Change can be scary, especially when it comes to your career. But it can also be exciting and lead to new opportunities. Studies show that Canadians change careers several times over the course of their lives. A recent study by Indeed.com found nine out of 10 Canadians who changed careers or sectors were much happier after their moves. For immigrants and refugees, the decision to change careers can be complex as you weigh the financial risks and challenges related to establishing yourself in a new sector. How do you know if switching careers is the right decision for you? What steps do you need to take to make the leap successfully? Here are some tips and advice to help you decide.
What is your why?
Before you make any big decisions or take drastic action, it is important to ask yourself some questions:
- Why do you want to change careers?
- What is your motivation? Are you looking to earn more money, better career prospects in in-demand fields, improved job satisfaction, better flexibility? Understand what’s driving the desire for a change.
- What are your short and long-term goals for your life and career?
- What skills or education do you already have that will be an asset in your new field?
- Can your current skills help you transfer to a new sector?
- Do you need to further your education or training before changing careers?
- What are you passionate about?
Answering these questions will enable you to make an informed decision so you go into this period of transition with confidence.
Do your research
Your answers to the questions above should offer you clarity about your decision to change careers. The next step is to do extensive research to ensure you’re choosing a new career that aligns with your motivation and goals. There is no point to impulsively switch gears only to find out later that your new field doesn’t suit your needs, skills or experience or, worse, has weak job prospects.
Read Windmill Microlending’s Trending Jobs Report to learn what fields in Canada have the strongest job prospects across the country.
Robert Ndoping, manager of client success with Windmill Microlending, says, “There is lots of information online. I strongly encourage people to research extensively. It is important to recognize that every job sector and job market in Canada is different. The job market in Alberta is quite different to the job market in B.C., and to Ontario, and so on.”
He adds that one of the advantages of living in Canada is the abundance of free career services and immigrant settlement agencies. “They offer valuable support and resources to newcomers to help them make informed career and life choices,” he says.
If the career you’re interested in is part of a regulated profession in Canada, researching information from the provincial licensing body can provide you with a wealth of information to answer your questions about how to get licensed in that field.
As you do your research, be sure to consider salary. Salary ranges can vary widely across Canada. “Salary range is key, because if your goal is to earn $100,000 a year, but the outlook and top range for your new chosen career goes to a maximum of $70,000, that might mean it’s not the right career path for you,” says Ndoping.
Use transferrable skills to change to an in-demand field
Transferable skills can help you land a job in a new or related field, even if your technical skills are not a perfect match for the job. From an employer’s perspective, technical skills can often be learned more easily than soft skills or other skills important for career success.
Common transferable skills include:
- communication (oral and written)
- critical thinking
- relationship building
- leadership
- collaboration
- adaptability
- analytical abilities
- creativity and innovation
- digital and numeracy skills
Learn more in our article “Transferable skills are your key to career success” here.
Upgrade your skills
Sometimes a career change means upgrading your skills, retraining or pursuing a professional certification in something completely new to you. You have to look at the big picture of what you want and if the commitment, time and money needed to make this transition will be worth it in the end.
Ndoping reiterates the importance of researching job outcomes. Is there a need for people in the field you’ve chosen in your province? Do people in that field easily find work after they have completed their studies? He advises talking to career specialists who have access to up-to-date information that will help you with your decision. It may also help to connect with professionals currently working in the field through networks like LinkedIn.
Assess your finances
The next step in a career change is to think about finances. How much money will you need to support yourself while making this transition? Should you consider a part-time education program that offers work/school flexibility? If you can’t continue to work while studying, how will you manage financially? These are other important questions to be asking yourself.
“What it really comes down to is time and money,” says Christopher Lau, client success coach, Windmill Microlending. “If a person has a lot of savings, they can spend a lot of time on courses and exams, without needing to find a job right away. But the vast majority of people are on tight budgets and have to consider paying the bills as a priority before studying.”
Windmill Microlending provides affordable loans to skilled immigrants and refugees to help them pay for the costs of training, accreditation and education in support of a career change.
“We can help finance courses, exams, study materials,” says Lau. “Some professions are very time consuming, making it almost impossible to work and study. So, a portion of your Windmill loan can go toward a living allowance, even childcare while you study. This allows our clients to stop working or reduce work hours to successfully complete their studies. We give them peace of mind so they can focus on their education.”
When it comes to a career change, it is important to remember to believe in yourself. You have already made the enormous leap of leaving your country of origin for a better life here in Canada, which means you know anything is possible, including your dreams of changing careers.
The Immigrant Career Planning Guide presented by Windmill Microlending shares how newcomers can reach their full career potential by taking advantage of in-demand areas and employment opportunities across Canada. Whether you’re just starting your career, looking to move up, or retrain for a new field, growing opportunities await you. Now is the time to accelerate your career in Canada. Windmill’s Career Success and Planning Centre offers tools, tips and online digital resources to help skilled immigrants and refugees reach their professional goals, sooner. Visit windmillmicrolending.org to take the next step in your career, today.
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