Did you know that it is estimated that the average person will change careers five to seven times during their lifetime? Now, this can mean that a person changes their position in a certain industry or they go in an entirely different direction where their job is concerned. Either way, deciding to go down a new career path is much more common and a lot less scary than people make it out to be. At the Professional Development Center at Glendale Community College, we meet people every single day who are wanting to change their career path and have a happier life. If you have been thinking about changing careers but you aren’t sure you have what it takes to do so, we would suggest you think again. Take a look at the myths regarding career changes below and move forward feeling more confident in your dreams than ever before.

There’s Only One Way to Change Careers

There are many resources out there that claim to be the one answer to all of your concerns. However, this is an extremely ridiculous claim as there is no single way people can solve any number of problems. This is especially true when it comes to issues with one’s career. What seems like an easy fix for one person could be considered incredibly difficult to someone else. Don’t get us wrong, we aren’t saying that there aren’t resources out there that can help you to make decisions regarding your career, we’re just saying there isn’t one resource or one way you can make a big change in your life.

You Have to Have Everything Figured Out

If you are a Type A personality, it is likely that you want to have all of your ducks in a row before you make any big changes. However, before you know how you are going to proceed you are likely going to do a lot of research and planning. The reason this does not always work is that you have to try a new career before you know if you are going to like it or not. This means that all of your planning can only go so far and the rest is purely luck and maybe a little bit of intuition.

Changing Careers is Something Only Rich People Can Do

Let’s be honest, having money makes nearly everything in life easier. If you have a lot of money saved up or you have a partner who has a lucrative job, you might have an easier time making a transition to a new career. However, it is imperative that you know that people who are rich are not the only ones who have the option of changing careers. If you have a passion, a dream, or you simply are miserable at your current job, you need to get out as soon as possible and run towards a new career that can inspire you.

You have to have a Degree to Change Careers

Sometimes it’s easier to get an idea in your head and run with it before you ever really do the research required to know the truth about any given situation. One of the things people think often about changing careers is that they cannot do it if they do not have a degree of some sort. This is absolutely not the case. The most important thing a potential employer wants to know is that you can do the job, not that you have a degree. Can you prove yourself without having to go back to school? Or are you interested in getting more education to be able to do the job well? As long as you can show someone who is interviewing you that you are passionate about their industry and the specific job, you have the chance of being hired.

You have to be a Business Genius

In case you thought it was imperative to have a great business mind in order to change careers, let us assure you that this is not true. Most people who run businesses had absolutely no idea what they were doing when they first started off. Don’t let your mind psyche you out. Instead, challenge yourself to learn something if you feel like you are not educated enough in a certain matter. You may be older than you were when you received the majority of your schooling but you are still capable of learning new things always.

Your Life is Going to be Ruined if Things Don’t Work Out

Changing careers can be extremely intimidating and many people won’t do it just because they are fearful that they will fail. But we’re going to tell you something, people fail all the time. But wouldn’t you rather try and fail than simply wonder to yourself what would have happened had you given some effort? Of course, you would. Don’t let fear paralyze you. If things don’t work out the first time, be resilient and keep going after your dream.

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