10 Best Jobs for a Career Change
Your career will likely evolve and change over time as you gain experience, refine your interests, gain new interests and find new job opportunities. If you’re thinking about changing your job role, industry or both, you’re not alone. You might change careers for a variety of reasons, including the possibility of increased earning potential, committing to serving a specific interest or perhaps a schedule that better suits your priorities and goals. In this article, we’ll explore 10 jobs that may be well-suited for a career change due to relatively low barriers to entry, meaning they do not require a master’s degree or higher and a few do not require a bachelor’s degree.
It is important to note that selecting the right job for you is a personal decision that should be considered with care, and the jobs below may not be a good fit for you. To start exploring which job may be the right one for you, you might begin with a simple self-assessment. You can do so by asking yourself some questions, such as:
- What are my current skills, qualifications and qualities?
- Which jobs might my current background and qualities be well-suited for?
- Which skills, qualifications and qualities might I need to develop for jobs I find interesting?
- Which tasks, projects and elements at work do I enjoy most and why?
- What do I want to be able to do more or less at work?
- Do I have a “dream job?” If so, what about that job is appealing?
- What are my “must haves” and “nice to haves” in a job (salary, schedule, benefits, etc.)?
- In what capacity would I like to work with others?
- What kind of work culture and environment do I need?
Jobs to consider when changing careers
Pursuing a new professional path may require varying levels of upskilling, networking and experience depending on the path you choose and your transferable skills. Regardless of your career stage, the following jobs may be good options to consider if they align with your interests, values and requirements.
Please keep in mind that these jobs may require additional degrees, training or other forms of skill development depending on your current qualifications. Read the descriptions below for additional details and requirements for each job. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link.
1. Teacher
Primary duties: Teachers lead classes, present lessons and help students learn skills. They review assignments, administer tests and provide grades. Teachers also develop lesson plans, create curricula, identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and help them prepare for assessments. Many teachers specialize in subjects such as mathematics or literature, while others focus on certain grade levels, such as elementary or high school.
2. Social media manager
Primary duties: Social media managers oversee organizations’ marketing campaigns on public sharing media. These professionals develop short- and long-term marketing strategies, write copy and produce images for social media posts and engage with followers online. They may provide customer service by answering questions and handling complaints or support sales teams by encouraging purchases and sharing discounts. These digital marketing specialists also collect social media account analytics, review data and recommend methods to optimize performance.
3. Writer
Primary duties: Writers create content for a variety of outlets, such as blogs, magazines, TV scripts, and advertisements. Whether they develop fictional or nonfictional material, these professionals do research to enhance their writing. Some writers submit work to editors who may provide feedback or request additional drafts to improve content. Writers may accept assignments from editors or publishers, or they may compose material independently before seeking publication. Most writers specialize in particular topics or mediums.
4. Accountant
Primary duties: Accountants produce and review financial records for individuals and organizations. They examine financial documents for accuracy and help their clients operate efficiently. Many accountants prepare tax returns, which involves calculating the amount owed and coordinating timely payments. These professionals also identify strategies for reducing costs and handle financial record storage and maintenance. In many cases, they specialize in public accounting, management accounting or auditing.
5. Sales representative
Primary duties: Sales representatives sell goods and services to individuals and corporate consumers. They attend trade shows, use customer lists and network within their industries to find potential leads. Sales representatives talk with prospective customers about their needs and devise solutions to address these subjects. They develop contracts, negotiate terms and oversee orders for customers. Some sales representatives communicate with existing customers to generate repeat sales, and some answer questions and provide basic customer service. Many sales representatives specialize in business-to-business or business-to-government transactions.
6. Market researcher
Primary duties: Market researchers assess the demands of a market to estimate the sales potential for products and services. They review sales trends, examine past patterns and forecast the future of the market. Market researchers use polls, surveys and other techniques for collecting data and use software and statistical models to study the information they gather. These professionals translate their findings into written reports and charts, which they present to stakeholders. Many market researchers also review the results of marketing strategies and recommend more efficient and lucrative approaches.
7. Business consultant
Primary Duties: Business consultants help companies become more efficient and increase profits. Also known as management analysts, business consultants work with executives to improve internal processes. These professionals interview an organization’s employees, make observations about operations and devise improved systems and practices. They present solutions to stakeholders, advise about implementation and confirm results with management teams.
8. Web developer
Primary duties: Web developers use programming codes to create websites for individuals, businesses and government agencies. They oversee the appearance, performance and functionality of the website. Web developers talk with clients about their needs, recommend applications and coordinate with writers and designers to create complete products. Many web developers provide ongoing support and maintenance for websites. Some developers specialize in certain types of websites, such as eCommerce, which require advanced programming and security knowledge.
9. Project manager
Primary duties: Project managers research, create and advise plans for developing products and providing services. They oversee project aspects ranging from timelines and labor to costs and communications. Also known as cost estimators, most project managers are responsible for keeping costs as low as possible while generating desired results. These professionals often specialize in managing projects in certain industries, such as software development, construction or manufacturing.
10. Real estate agent
Primary duties: Real estate agents, also known as realtors if they have certification, work with individual, corporate and government clients to buy and sell a property. These professionals talk with buyers to determine their needs, seek available properties to rent or purchase and negotiate contracts. They also research market-appropriate pricing for sellers, list properties for sale and arrange showings to find buyers. Some realtors have licenses to work as brokers, while others work as agents and must operate under brokers. Most realtors specialize in overseeing the sale or purchase of a residential, corporate or industrial property.