30 is mostly identified as one of the ideal ages to go for a career change. It is no secret that almost everyone has a basic idea of the career direction they plan to take while still in school.
It can be argued that at this time you might not be fully knowledgeable on what that particular career entails and if it’ll be a good long-term decision.
These various uncertainties usually have a hand in bringing about career changes at 30.
At 30 you find that you have an increase in responsibilities, a change in goals and aspirations. When these various changes do not align with the current career path you’re on it’s normal to start searching for a route for a career change.
Starting a career at 30 is not the traditional route in the working industry but when you find that your goals have moved in a direction that does not align with the career path you’re on then a career change is inevitable.
There are several best career options to start at 30 both in the healthcare, education, and tech sectors.
Are you interested in opting for a career change at 30? This article will carefully review the best career options to start at 30.
Why Do People Opt For a Career Change At 30?
The need for a career change doesn’t just come overnight. There is usually a confluence of various factors that bring about the need for a career change.
Some of the factors that bring about a career change are:
- Changing goals and aspirations.
- Huge life-changing events like relocation or marriage.
- Long and overworked hours.
- Being undervalued in your workplace.
- Low employment opportunities in your career path.
- Poor pay.
Reasons Why a Career Change At 30 Is A Good Decision
Change is scary and making this change at a stage when your counterparts seem to be settled in their career makes it even more difficult.
Despite the fear of opting for a career change at 30, a career change at 30 has various reasons why it’s bound to be a good decision. These good reasons include:
Better Educational Qualifications
At 30, you should have amassed more educational qualifications and skills when compared to your twenties. These better educational requirements will aid you in the fact that you’re now more qualified for various opportunities.
You won’t just have the educational qualifications as you must have also adopted effective skills that are needed for various disciplines.
Clear Goals
At 30, most of the uncertainties you had while selecting a career path might have cleared up. Having a clear focus of what your goals and aspirations are at this time, you’re now able to choose a career path that is strictly aligned with the achievement of your goals and aspirations.
Career changes at 30 grant you the ability to make the distinction about what you want in professional life.
Higher Productivity
Nothing beats doing what you like and fancy. A career change at 30 is usually due when you find out that you are steadily losing interest in the career path you’re on.
When you opt for a career change at 30 and the new career satisfies everything you need professionally, you’re bound to notice an increase in productivity on your newly carved out niche.
The key to ensuring this higher productivity is ensuring that you make the best decision when going for a career change at 30.
Increased Commitment
When you successfully transition to a career you are truly engaged in, you’ll find that you are capable of making strong commitments to the job.
The level of commitment you’ll be ready to give this new career path will far supersede your previous career path cause it’s a change to something you care about.
An increase in commitment from a successful career change can see you willing to put in long hours just to achieve a goal.
Best Career Options to Start At 30
Transitioning to a new career at 30 can be hugely beneficial to you as there are lots of best career options to start at 30. Some of the best career options to start at 30 include:
1. School Counselor
A school counselor is tasked with guiding students on the path to achieving academic success. To be able to properly guide students, the school counselor should be able to carefully evaluate and design a plan that fits the unique needs of each student.
Becoming a school counselor requires you to have strong leadership and collaborative skills.
We’ll find that most students go to school counselors for advice concerning confusion in which career path to select. You are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in school counseling, and obtain state certification.
If you are good at communication and have empathy skills a career change as a school counselor might just be the right fit for you.
2. Entrepreneur
If you’ve been thinking of starting your own business or launching your own brand, a career change at 30 might just be the sign that it’s time to start something on your own and see where it goes.
Deciding to take a step into the life of an entrepreneur is a sure way of reinventing yourself as you get to choose how long you want to work and the type of work you want to handle.
Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t need you to have any over-the-top degree but a class in business should help in giving you the ropes of how to succeed in the entrepreneurial world.
3. Teacher Assistant
Being a teacher assistant is one of the best career options to start at 30. A teacher assistant supports the teacher in planning, organizing, and presenting lessons to students. The duties and responsibilities of a teacher assistant generally include:
- Ensuring that the student’s classrooms are neat and safe.
- Enhance the learning process by dividing the classes into small groups for meaningful discussions.
- Planning, presenting, and organizing class lessons with teachers.
Teacher assistants are usually under the supervision of the teacher. There is no clear qualification needed for a teacher assistant but most are required to pass assessment interviews in the school before being accepted. Cool temperament and good communication skills are key to succeeding in this career.
4. Registered Nurse
With the steady increase in the employment opportunities of the health sector, becoming a registered nurse is one of the best career options to start at 30.
Have you ever fancied a career in the medical line? The need for a career change at 30 might be a good chance for you to explore this budding career.
Being an invaluable part of the healthcare industry, a registered nurse has a wide range of duties and responsibilities to perform in the health sector.
Registered nurses are tasked with caring for patients, dispensing treatment, and monitoring the patients.
There are various routes available to becoming a registered nurse: getting a bachelor’s degree, obtaining an associate’s degree, or a diploma from a government-approved program.
5. Web Developer
Being a web developer is definitely one of the best career options to start at 30 with the fusion of tech into every part of modern life. The roles and responsibilities usually include designing and writing codes for websites.
The roles of web developers are needed in every organization or business in order to help in creating an attractive online interface for them.
One of the reasons why web development is one of the best career options to start at 30 is the fact that you can learn how to develop websites on your own. You can also join a tech coding program to gain more knowledge and information.
6. Psychologist
Psychology is one of the best career options to start at 30. It’ll require going back to school supposing you don’t have any prior degree in the related field.
A psychologist is a professional who studies interpersonal relations and personal responses to environmental factors.
Choosing psychology as your best career option to start at 30 allows you to choose from working independently or working with a group of psychologists.
Becoming a psychologist requires a master’s degree in psychology and a psychology license. Skills required in psychology include empathy and effective communication.
7. Computer Programmer
Branching into computer programming is one of the best career options to start at 30 especially if you’re interested in computers. A computer programmer is tasked with creating computer programs using JavaScript and other programming languages.
Learning to code computer programs is something you can learn personally if you are very attentive to detail with key organizational skills.
Computer programming job opportunities are witnessing a wide increase in popularity, especially with the growth in the tech sector.
8. Administrative Assistant
One of the best career options to start at 30 is the administrative assistant. Administrative assistants specialize in providing supporting roles in every business or organization they’re found in.
The duties and responsibilities of the administrative assistant include: organizing all administrative requests of senior colleagues in the organization, proper planning and scheduling of meetings, and proper organizing of appointments in the organization.
One of the reasons why an administrative assistant is a good choice for a career change at 30 is the basic requirements needed for transitioning into this career.
An administrative assistant will have proper knowledge of handling office equipment and also possess the necessary skills like being attentive to details and having core problem-solving skills.
9. Personal Trainer
Being a personal trainer goes beyond knowing how to challenge your client to work hard but generally involves the ability to design an exercise regimen tailored for a particular person.
The goal of a personal trainer is helping of clients to achieve fitness goals. Fitness goal does not mean weight loss as balance training, toning, and overall health management are all under fitness goals.
Physical training is one of the best career options at 30 to select from as it’s the journey to fitness is a fire that never wanes.
10. Elementary School Teacher
If you’re good at teaching and exhibit values like patience, empathy, and dependability then a career in teaching might just be the smooth career transition you need.
Becoming an elementary school teacher will require you to get a certification license depending on the state you’re residing in.
Teaching is one of the top picks if you are really good at passing information especially when it comes to young children.
Frequently Asked Question
Is 30 too old for starting a new career?
No, starting a new career at 30 is not in any sense old.
What is the main reason for a career change?
There is usually a confluence of factors that bring about the need for career change with each reason unique to every person.
What career can I start at 30?
There are various available opportunities like physician assistant, computer programming, and so on but the career you select depends entirely on what you like.
Can I grow a meaningful career at 30?
Yes, at 30 you can start and grow a career that can make an impact.
What are the fastest-growing careers?
The fastest-growing careers include various opportunities in the tech and health sectors.
Conclusion
Starting a new career at 30 is nothing to be scared of. Immediately you have an idea of the sector you’ll like to switch to, and a careful blend of research and planning will ensure you enjoy a smooth transition.
The best career options to start at 30 have been clearly highlighted with just a little bit of personal reflection you should be able to tell if any of them are a good fit for you.
References
- https://careerkarma.com/blog/career-change-at-thirty-five/
- https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/how-to-change-careers-in-your-30s/
- https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/the-15-best-jobs-for-a-midlife-career-change-and-how-to-make-the-change
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/career-change-at-35
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