Career Transition Advice: How to Make a Career Change with Confidence

According to a recent study by the job experts at Indeed, 64% of U.S workers who changed jobs between 2022 and 2024 also changed careers. The reasons driving so many people to make dramatic career changes are numerous, including everything from a lack of advancement opportunities to general unhappiness with the workplace or workload.

Is something pulling you to join these career changers? Whether you no longer feel challenged in your current industry or there’s a new path you’ve long felt compelled to try, it might be time to consider a career transition.

But before you commit to uprooting your career entirely, you’ll want to be certain you’re making the right decision. We’ve explored potential career change challenges to share valuable insights into the career transition process. Keep these considerations in mind as you ponder your own potential career shift.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Committing to a Career Transition

Switching career paths on a whim will likely lead to more frustration than anything. You want to make sure you think intently about such a significant life change by asking yourself a number of leading questions.

1. What is Your Motivation for Changing Careers?

If you’re finding yourself drawn to the idea of changing your career, you might be unsure how to navigate such a multifaceted decision. Identifying your reasons for wanting to leave your current industry can be a helpful place to start.

Often, people are motivated by meaning. If you aren’t passionate about the work you’re doing, a career change can be a path to a more fulfilling life. However, it’s important to ask yourself if you could potentially run into the same problems in the new industry you’re considering.

Is your work environment stressful or do you feel you’ve reached a dead end? Are you overworked or undervalued? If so, it’s possible finding a new role in your field could alleviate some of these challenges. But if you’re unhappy with the work itself or the impact you are having, a career transition could bring you greater contentment and purpose.

2. Can You Afford It — Financially and Emotionally?

It’s important to think about the long-term impact a career transition could have on your financial stability and your emotional health. If you’re hoping to change industries, you may end up starting from scratch in an entry-level position. For some, this can have varying repercussions.

Money isn’t everything, but making smart financial decisions when it comes to your career is important. Financially, you want to be sure you can afford to take a small or temporary pay cut as you move toward a new career goal. Putting yourself in a stressful financial situation may make you resent your decision to change careers and will only add to the emotional toll of starting over. If you need more time to save, create a realistic timeline for pursuing your career change and set yourself up for success.

It’s also important to consider how comfortable you are with a possible change in status. When moving into a new industry, it’s common for people to have to take a step back — are you willing to learn when you’re more used to leading? Taking note of your mental state is a critical aspect of a career transition.

3. Are You Being Realistic About Your Dreams?

It can be easy to get caught up in the daydream of pursuing a career you’re passionate about, but career changers should take a closer look at the path they’re considering.

Pursuing a personal passion as a full-time career can seem like living the dream but taking a realistic look at what that really means is key. What are the not-so-great tasks you will have to take on in this type of role? Will working in this field full time strip the joy from doing what you love or does it take away the freedom to do it on your terms? It can be a delicate balance.

Chasing your dreams is exciting, but it’s important to stay realistic. Are you thinking long-term? Does this career change align with your future goals, your values, and your lifestyle? These are likely only questions you can answer, but seeking advice from others who have pursued their passions can give you a unique perspective into what it takes to make the dream work and could highlight challenges you hadn’t considered. Take the time to hear their stories.

4. Are You Willing to Invest in Yourself?

We discussed the financial implications of a career change, but investing in yourself is not only monetary. It’s possible that moving into a new industry will require you to return to school for courses or certifications. You may even decide to pursue an advanced degree. For most career changers, this means going back to college while working. It can feel difficult to justify this level of commitment and investment — especially if you’ve already earned a degree in a different field.

As you examine your potential in a new career, it’s up to you to determine whether the investment will be worth your time and money. Luckily, there are many flexible, affordable options available today. UMass Global offers 100% online degree and certificate programs that allow you to go back to school on your terms. From instructor-led courses to self-paced programs, you can choose the path that aligns with your life. This quiz can help you decide which direction is right for you.

Sometimes, the most helpful, motivating advice comes directly from those who have walked this path before you.

“I’d say if you have the opportunity, take it. This is something that is an investment of your time but it’s always going to be worth it in the long run” says Sameer Barua, UMass Global Alumnus. 

5. Is There Ample Opportunity in This New Industry and Are You Prepared?

Another important factor to consider is what the future could look like in your intended career. Keeping a pulse on the job market and industries of interest can prevent you from pursuing a role that’s seeing diminishing opportunities.

It’s also important to consider the potential growth of the position. Are you poised to follow the trajectory of the role and is there enough room to grow to your ideal placement within the industry? Before committing yourself to a career change, it’s important to analyze the industry trends and future projections to ensure that you’re making a sustainable decision.

It can also be helpful to determine whether your current skillset could easily transfer to your new role. There may even be a chance to position your current skills and experience in a way that gives you an advantage as you venture back into a competitive job market. If hiring seems low at the moment, you could take this down time to prepare for the transition — digging deeper into industry insights, studying aspects of the job you aren’t familiar with, or going back to school to ensure you enter the field confident and prepared for what’s next. 

6. Have You Spoken with People Working in Your Desired Industry?

It’s a great idea to learn the insider details of a new career path you’re considering. The insights you will gain from hearing personal experiences from professionals in your industry of interest are simply invaluable. The significance of getting a glimpse behind the curtain cannot be understated. You may think you have a clear view of what it would be like to work in a given industry but hearing it first-hand can offer deeper understanding of the role — or it could spark new questions or concerns about your intended career transition.

If possible, those considering a career change should seek out shadowing opportunities that would offer a real-world look into the life of someone in this industry or role. This personal perspective can change the way you feel about a career change — whether it reinforces your passion or raises questions about your desire to switch jobs.

If you’re not able to accompany a professional in their day-to-day role, try reaching out for a candid interview with a trusted mentor, advisor, or friend in the industry to learn more. You can also use these industry connections to network with organizations and find new roles. Often times, being introduced by an old colleague, friend, or personal contact can improve your legitimacy as a candidate. 

Career Change Advice: Tips for Professional Success

If you’ve considered these six questions and you feel confident about your decision to make a career transition, it’s time to start crafting a plan of action. Many individuals who are stepping from one industry into another find they may still need to return to school for the necessary education even if their professional experience could set them apart from other job candidates. Follow these tips to career change success.

• Clarify Your Motivation and Vision – Take time to write out why you want to change careers and what you hope to gain. Revisit this statement regularly — it will keep you focused during challenging moments and ensure your new direction aligns with your values and interests.
• Plan for Financial and Emotional Realities – Create a realistic budget for your transition. Factor in potential pay cuts, new expenses (such as training or relocation), and a timeline for achieving financial stability. Equally, acknowledge the emotional ups and downs and give yourself space to process setbacks and reach out for support when needed.
• Ground Your Dreams in Research – Don’t let idealism steer the ship alone. List the day-to-day tasks, entry requirements, and growth paths of your target roles. Then, truth-check these against your own skills, needs, and lifestyle. Adjust course based on what’s truly sustainable for you.
• Actively Invest in Yourself – Upskill strategically. Enroll in necessary courses or certifications and prioritize those that can be completed flexibly. Leverage online resources or connect with organizations offering adult education, so your upskilling is efficient and fits your schedule.
• Understand Your New Field’s Landscape – Research industry outlook and job availability before you leap. Identify transferable skills from your current career and practice articulating how they add value to your new profession — this will set you apart in applications and interviews.
• Build Your Network and Seek Mentors – Reach out to professionals who are already working in your desired field. Ask for informational interviews, shadowing opportunities, or mentorship. Their honest feedback will help you make informed choices and may open doors you hadn’t considered.
• Prepare to Start Small but Think Big – Accept that you may need to begin in an entry-level role, even if you’re a leader in your current field. Approach this as a chance to learn and grow. Set incremental goals, measure your progress, and celebrate wins along the way.

Determine Your Next Move

By following these tips, you maximize both your readiness and resilience as you move into a new career, turning uncertainty into opportunity and increasing your likelihood of long-term satisfaction and success.

Going back to school can cover so many of these steps — from upskilling and advancing with a degree to understanding the industry landscape and building a network of peers and mentors, returning to college as an adult can propel you into the new career you’ve been dreaming of.

Still a bit unsure of where to start? Read our article on how to go back to school as an adult, a guide to understanding the process and tips to ensure you feel confident when you’re finally ready to take the next step into the unknown.