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.
- 1considering telemedicine
- 2moving to research for pharmaceuticals or allied industry
- 3transitioning to an accounting, payroll, or bookkeeping position at a current employer
- 4taking general education or entry-level classes at a community college and transferring them to a four-year school
- 5starting to do bookkeeping for small businesses and building up a portfolio of clients before graduating
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
- 3How do I adapt my career to AI before I get laid off?
- 15Switching from audit to tax in accounting
- 2Should I quit a low paying job with a long commute?
- 3How do you break into a specialized industry with no experience?
- 7Can I get an accounting job with an unrelated degree?
- 3Why do I still act like I'm in the military at home?