How to change careers after years of training
Leaving a profession after spending a decade or more in training leaves people feeling deep regret and stranded without a starting point. Without knowing what next steps to take or what other jobs are possible, they remain stuck unable to figure out how to begin over in a completely new path.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1considering telemedicineDid this help you?
- 2moving to research for pharmaceuticals or allied industryDid this help you?
- 3transitioning to an accounting, payroll, or bookkeeping position at a current employerDid this help you?
- 4taking general education or entry-level classes at a community college and transferring them to a four-year schoolDid this help you?
- 5starting to do bookkeeping for small businesses and building up a portfolio of clients before graduatingDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I have spent the last decade of my life becoming a doctor. Worked for one year and realized this isn’t for me.”source ↗
“Now I regret wasting so much time, and don’t know where to start or how to start.”source ↗
“I’m not sure what I can do next.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 9Can you switch accounting service lines before starting your job?
- 6Switching to the trades at 45 from a desk job
- 9Will taking a temporary break ruin my career?
- 23Should I get an accounting certificate or degree while working?
- 22How to know if you need a career pivot or just a new job
- 6Is switching to teaching worth it later in life?