Career Change In 30s: What You Need to Know (2023)

If you have a decent amount of work experience career change in 30s behind you, a change in this phase of your life can be both exciting and risky.

Making the decision to leave your current career to pursue something new can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

It may not be your career, but your job that causes dissatisfaction.

Think twice before you trade in your suit and tie for a chef’s apron. Consider what you’re getting into before switching if you decide to do so.

Career Change at 30: Reasons for Making a Change

It is not uncommon for us to wish to career change in 30s when what we really dislike is our current job. Perhaps you don’t get along with your boss, or you don’t like your nosy coworkers. Even if you disagree with a company’s decisions, those decisions don’t affect you. Career problems are not necessarily related to your job.

If you love your boss, the company is making all the right moves, and you love your coworkers, but you still dread Mondays, then your career may be the problem.

Identify what’s bugging you about your current job by taking some time to analyze it. Can you fix it without changing your entire career? Is there something you need that your current job cannot provide?

It’s time to take on a new challenge.

It’s possible that you are “settled” in your job. You are familiar with all the processes and procedures. There are no more processes to streamline, because you’ve streamlined so many. You arrive at work, sit down, know exactly what tasks need to be completed, when to take a break for lunch, where you’ll have lunch, and everything is finished by 5:00.

Isn’t that kind of boring?

Maybe you’re craving new challenges. Perhaps it’s time for a career change in 30s if you feel like you’ve learned everything there is to know about your job.

You don’t have to start a new career to make a change. Transferring to a different position within the same company might be an option. Your benefits (and possibly your pay level) will remain the same while you take on a new set of challenges. A new challenge outside your normal responsibilities might re-energize your growth if there’s nothing to transfer to.

Your priorities have changed.

A baby might have been born to you. A parent is aging or you have a parent who needs care. You might have a spouse in the military. You can be forced to reevaluate your priorities by a million things. Maybe you’re no longer interested in the corner office. Maybe you don’t like the direction your current career is taking. There’s just something about your new priorities and your current career that don’t match.

Passion is something you want to pursue.

During your childhood, you probably dreamed of being an astronaut or a zookeeper. Over time, you discarded some of the more outrageous ideas (professional dinosaur) and chose something a little more realistic (accountant).

It doesn’t mean you’re passionate about something realistic. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of creating a comic book or performing stand-up. Whatever your passion may be, you’ve decided not to waste any more time, and you’re going for it.

Choosing a career can seem like it’ll give you everything you want. When you reach the top of that field, you realize you’re not happy.

You shouldn’t think a job can make you happy, but you should enjoy what you do. It’s time to reassess your career path if you dread Monday mornings because you hate going to work.

Career Change: Pros and Cons

career change in 30s and considering changing careers, weigh the pros and cons carefully before making a decision. Even if you don’t let the cons stop you, keep the following in mind.

Having experience in another field may be a disadvantage for you.

It may seem difficult to leave behind your years of experience when considering a career change at 30. It’s likely that you haven’t attended high school or college for more than ten years. Maybe you’ve honed your craft or moved up to a manager position. The prospect of starting over can seem overwhelming.

Employers may prefer someone with experience.

Many new graduates face this catch-22: you need experience to get a job, but you need a job to get experience. Applying for jobs without related experience can be difficult if your new career field isn’t related to your old one.

There is the potential for extra time to be spent.

Training will likely take extra time in your schedule, unless your new career field doesn’t require experience and you feel confident you can land a job. If you don’t have the time, think about how you’re going to find it.

You may have to work until 5:00 p.m. at your current job and then spend your evenings and weekends getting experience in your new field. In order to achieve your goal, you might have to sacrifice your free time and time with family and friends.

Pay and benefits may be cut.

career change in 30s, you may have to start at a lower pay grade than you would like. If you’re interested in making less money, you should examine your budget and finances. Taking on a part-time job may be a good option if it isn’t.

Additionally, at your current job, you may have worked your way up to six weeks vacation, plus five personal days, plus eight weeks sick leave. It’s possible that you have some extra time. Leaving your current job will cost you everything. At your new job, you might have just two weeks vacation and three PTO days to work with.

There’s no such thing as too late.

It’s important to keep in mind that you have many more working years left in your 30s if you decide to change careers. It is possible to gain 10 years or more of experience in your new career field if you start in your 30s. You may also achieve success faster than a fresh (and inexperienced) college grad with all of your transferable experience.

Pro: You might earn more money and receive better benefits.

A career change in your 30s may also result in more money. In some industries, the starting wage can be higher than the wage of an experienced employee. If you change sectors, you might discover that bonuses and raises are higher, allowing you to earn more. Your career may be changing or you may be switching to a more lucrative field.

Despite your inexperience, the new field may have a more generous vacation and leave policy than your current one.

The skills you offer are more diverse.

It is possible that even if you do not have specific experience, you have unique skills that no one else can provide. As a person who has worked for at least 10 years, you have gained “life” experience that less “seasoned” workers lack.

You also have a track record that (hopefully) demonstrates that you are reliable and loyal. There are times when these things are more valuable than experience in any field!

Your work life can be energized by a new career.

One reason for changing careers is that the old one wasn’t fulfilling anymore. Changing careers can be a boost of energy if you feel uninspired at work, feel uninspired in your job, or have no room for professional growth. Even though starting something new can be scary, it can also be life-giving and motivating. Changing jobs can be a great change of pace and can change your attitude about your job from hating it to liking it.

How to Change Careers in Your 30s

It’s time to plan your career shift if you can’t take another day in your current job.

Find a new job in the same field.

Consider a lateral job change if you’re happy in your industry, but are unhappy in your job position. You should look for a job that allows you to use the skills you already have, as well as learn new ones.

Consider a new position that lets you experience the customer side of your industry if all you’ve ever done is the business side. In the long run, you’ll gain valuable skills and insights into your industry, making you a more desirable employee.

Additionally, you’ll be taking on new challenges, which might scratch the career change itch you’ve been feeling without having to learn a new industry.

Run it through a test.

Before you commit to a new career area or a different job in the same industry, give it a try. There may be a sense of glamour associated with your new career path or job. There’s always more to a job than meets the eye, as you probably know.

Before you begin your new career, consider volunteering. If you test drive your new career for a few months, you’ll be able to determine whether you’re making the right decision, or whether you need to rethink the move.

Freelancing may be an alternative to volunteering. You can test the waters with freelance gigs in some careers (writing, graphic design). If you freelance, you probably won’t make much money (in fact, you might feel like you’re volunteering!). The advantage of this is that you get to know the field and get a few portfolio pieces together if you decide to pursue it.

Consider taking a “working vacation.”

It is not always possible to volunteer or freelancing. Then you might want to consider a “working vacation.”

Take advantage of your vacation time to explore career options. Consider scheduling informational interviews, attending networking events, and researching your new career. You should take advantage of the time to establish contacts and learn as much as you can.

You might be able to “intern” in the job depending on your contacts. For career changers who are unable to make those connections, there are organizations that help them find individuals in new fields to test drive jobs.

Get re-educated.

Find out if you need to go back to school for a degree as you research your new career. If you want to get started, consider taking a boot camp or certification course.

Changing careers in your 30s: How to do it successfully

Changing careers in your 30s can be a great opportunity. Consider all your options before making a decision.

Are you still nervous? For inspiration, read about a teacher who changed careers after 10 years. You’ve decided to do something, but don’t know where to begin? Check out our tips for writing a career change resume.