How to Make a Career Change in Your 30s

How to Make a Career Change in Your 30sHow to Make a Career Change in Your 30sThe Playbook for a Career Change in Your 30sEverything you need to know to leave your current job with confidence - and departure a new career that youll love.I have spent 4 years getting a degree in accounting, then built a career as an auditor at a mid-sized firm. I am thinking about leaving my job to become a nurse. Is this completely irresponsible and insane? Is it too late? Or should I follow my heart and go for it, even if Im in my 30s?You might think that questions like this are an exception, elend the norm and you would be mistaken. No matter which numbers you turn to, theres no denying that todays professionals are changing jobs (and careers) frequently. A survey from the University of Phoenix reveals that nearly three-quarters of professionals in their 30s are interested in changing careers. So, youre definitely not alone And, despite common misconceptions, you may actually have a leg up compare d to brand-new college grads in that field.For one, you have an established track record and a professional history, and have demonstrated character traits and work habits. The employer may see your experience elsewhere as a bonus and an opportunity for cross-pollination of best practices. After all, great ideas are often born at the intersection of seemingly unrelated fields and experiencesOn the other hand, a complete career change in your 30s carries a fair amount of risk, too. You may need additional training. In the case above, combining nursing school with a full-time job in accounting would be impractical. Shell need a plan for covering her living expenses and tuition without a reliable paycheck from her current job. And, once you land a job in your new career, you may experience a pay cut while you work your way up the ranks. So, what should you do?Begin with whyFor one, you will have to face the Why? question from your concerned parents, surprised co-workers, and befuddled friends. You may as well spend some time crafting a good answerIn all seriousness, being able to crystallize your why isnt for other peoples benefit its for you. Yes, there is less stigma these days about changing careers, but thats not an excuse to take it lightlyPerhaps you didnt get to choose your current career but instead followed that path at the urging of your well-intentioned family members. Maybe youve developed a strong interest in an emerging field that didnt exist as a career option when you were in school. Or maybe youve had a major change in perspective. Find and verbalize your reason why, because you will need to tap into its power when you inevitably hit some road bumps.Understand the trade-offsLets start by busting a few common stereotypes about a career change in your 30sNo, its not too late to try something new. You have another 3040 productive years ahead of youNo, your age wont be an automatic turn-off for your future employers. Many employers actually prefer c andidates with an established track record.No, its not a complete waste of the money youve invested in your education so far, or the time youve spent pursuing your first career. Many skills and experiences are transferable.Having said that, it would be dishonest to imply that you wont have to make some sacrifices. If you have to go back to school, you might have to give up the steady paycheck from your current job. You need to think through your lifestyle choices and financial reserves, as well as consider ways to pay for additional education.RelatedHow Does Money Come in During a Career Change?You must also be prepared to start closer to the bottom of the ladder once employed in your new field of choice. For example, if the person above leaves their current job as an accounting manager to become a nurse, they cant expect to step into the role of a charge nurse immediately.Trade-offs shouldnt automatically discourage you from pursuing your dream but they should force you to stress- test your willingness and ability to endure hardship. After all, rose-colored glasses wont help you when you step off the cliff with no safety net to catch youMaster the languageYou may not have spent years in your new field (yet), but it doesnt mean you know nothing about it. Many principles and approaches youve learned so far will remain relevant and useful. You may just need to dress them up in new clothesBegin by reading job descriptions and LinkedIn profiles for professionals in the industry that interests you. Be sure to make note of any keywords that you see over and over again and research any terms you dont fully understand. If your new field has any thought leaders who host a podcast or have a blog, it could be a fantastic entry point for picking up the language of the craftConnection is everythingWhen you are changing careers in your 30s, effective networking isnt just something you do if and when you feel up to it. Being able to connect to the right people may spell the difference between launching a fantastically successful second career and languishing in job motherboard limbo.Dont know anyone in the new field? Not to worry Thats what your second- and third-degree connections are for Tap into who you already know, ask for introductions, and you will be amazed at how connected the professional world really is.One word of caution Its wise to remember that networking works best when it benefits everyone. Take some time to reconnect with your network and to add value before you ask for favors.RelatedLost Touch? How to Reconnect With People in Your NetworkLeverage your experience and strengthsWhen you are starting something completely new, its easy to feel like a first-grader surrounded by high-school grads. Dont get intimidated Yes, you have much to learn and you already know so much.If you are struggling with imposter syndrome, set aside a couple of hours to do a full inventory of your professional experience so far. Focus on transferable skills, experiences that have taught you something valuable, and ways you can contribute to your new field. This may be difficult at first, but trust that the dots will connect.Everything you need to know about making a career change in your 30sA career change in your 30s is possible. Todays professional world is full of opportunities that didnt exist two decades ago, and its also a lot more accepting of those who chose to begin something new. However, its wise to acknowledge that you are no longer in your 20s. Yes, you have plenty of options in front of you, but you may also have financial and personal responsibilities that cant be renegotiated.Pursuing a new professional track means taking on a risk. Go in with eyes wide open. Do your research, lean on your network, and prepare a financial cushion that will buffer the inevitable discomfort while you build up your traction.Finally, enlist the help of experts, especially when it comes to your new resume. A successful job search will likely require a complete overhaul of how you present your career, skills, and accomplishments on your resume.Looking to make a career change and want to ensure your resume is up to the task? Submit it now for an expert review on usOur career advice expert, Amanda Augustine, recently shared her tips on career change in your 30s with Create Cultivate. Click here to read the full article.Recommended ReadingLooking to Change Careers? First, Make a Skills ListTips to Help Determine If Its Time for a Career ChangeCareer Quiz Is It Time for a Career Change?

How Addressing an Alcohol Problem Now Can Boost Your Professional Success Later

How Addressing an Alcohol Problem Now Can Boost Your Professional Success Later How Addressing an Alcohol Problem Now Can Boost Your Professional Success Later If youre looking to get ahead in your career, going to rehab for an alcohol problem is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Time spent in inpatient rehab for any mental health problem - especially for a substance addiction, which can carry a heavier negative stigma than other mental health conditions - is not exactly a big resume-builder.What many people dont know, however, is that addressing an alcohol problem now can have apretty significant professional payoff in the future.A Harvard study followed several hundred men over the course of 55 years, monitoring their drinking habits. The researchers found that problem drinkers who successfully achieved abstinence from alcohol and were able to sustain their recovery experienced the following positive long-term outcomesBetter physical and psychological healthGreat er enjoyment in their marital and family livesOccupational successIt may go without saying that these three very important positive outcomes are mutually reinforcing. Better physical and psychological health, or a higher level of happiness in a relationship with a significant other, naturallyhas an impact on job performance and professional satisfaction.How Long-Term Alcohol Rehab Improves Quality of Life and Employment ProspectsSuch findings regarding the link between successful long-term recovery from alcohol andjob success align closely with my own more anecdotal observations as a clinician working with alcoholics in early recovery. Those first days and weeks of abstinence can be fraught with anxiety, depression, and other uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. As time progresses and clients stick with an individualized plan of medical and clinical care, they report higher levels of self-acceptance, greater connectedness to others, and reductions in withdrawal-related symptoms of dis tress.Moreover, in the first three months after rehab, many clients report they are successfully employed in a job or enrolled full-time as a student and have a better overall quality of life.Whats the explanation for these mutually reinforcing, job-related outcomes of rehab? Most inpatient rehab and intensive outpatient alcohol treatment programs spend a lot of time helping clients develop life skills, including self-care, tools for effective stress management, and healthy interpersonal communication.In plus-rechnen to these critical life skills, a high-quality rehab program will encourage clients to develop many of the character attributes that employers look for when considering job applicants, includingPunctuality and dependabilityHonesty and trustworthinessResponsibility for ones duties and mistakesSelf-disciplineGood personal hygieneMutual respect and a positive team-player attitudeAdditionally, most high-quality rehab programs devote time to helping clients prepare for their post-rehab vocational lives. That way, clients can smoothly transition back into their jobs or find other jobs that better suit their commitment to recovery. This rehabilitative process can involve career counseling, helping clients practice for job interviews, resume preparation, and developing better organizational and time management skills.The Professional Costs of Not Addressing an Alcohol ProblemOn the flip side of these benefits of getting treatment are the exorbitant professional and occupational costs of not proactively addressing an alcohol problem. The longer problem drinking goes untreated, the more severe the problem and its consequences.The impact of alcoholism in the workplace, according to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, can includeTardiness or sleeping on the jobAbsenteeismPoor decision-makingPost-drinking effects (such as a hangover) that affect job performanceWorkplace theftPoor moraleRelationship problems with colleagues or supervisorsSuch alcohol-related issues will do nothing to help your career, eventually causing even the highest-functioning alcoholic to take a professional nosedive.- If you feel you may struggle with adrinking problem, it is possible that alcohol rehab will be an invaluable investment in your personal and professional futures. Rehab can protect your job from the negative consequences of your drinking and better equip you with the tools and life skills youll need to take your career to the next level. It is even possible that in rehab youll find a renewed sense of purpose for what you do - or discover a whole new vocation that is more rewarding than you could have ever imagined.Anna Ciulla is the vice president of clinical and medical services at Beach House Center for Recovery.

Former ASME Federal Fellow Mike Molnar Receives Roy V. Wright Award

Former ASME Federal Fellow Mike Molnar Receives Roy V. Wright Award Former ASME Federal Fellow Mike Molnar Receives Roy V. Wright Award Former ASME Federal Fellow Mike Molnar Receives Roy V. Wright AwardKalan Guiley (right), vice president of the ASME Board on Government Relations, presented former ASME Federal Government Fellow Michael F. Molnar, with the Roy V. Wright Award during the ASME Government Relations Dinner on April 20.Michael F. Molnar, PE, a former ASME Federal Government Fellow, was honored last month with the Roy V. Wright Award during the ASME Government Relations Dinner. Molnar, director of the interagency Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO) at the U.S. Department of Commerces National Institute of Standards and Technology, received the award after presenting the Roy V. Wright Lecture at the dinner, which was held April 20 in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Roy V. Wright Lecture and Award was established in 1949 to h onor Wright, ASMEs 50th president, for his contributions to the United States and his community. The lecture and accompanying award also recognize the motivational power that his speeches and leadership provided to all engineers in encouraging them to become good citizens as well as accomplished professionals.Molnar, who is also an ASME Fellow, is the founding director of the interagency AMNPO, which has a mission of fostering industry-led partnerships and implementing a whole of government approach to improve competitiveness and innovation within U.S. manufacturing. The interagency team is responsible for designing and establishing the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI), the federal initiative to build a network of U.S. lokal hubs to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative manufacturing technologies for creating new, globally competitive products.During his lecture, Molnar, who served as a Federal Fellow with the White House Office of Science a nd Technology Policy in 2003-2004, stressed the importance of the team approach in developing technology-related public policy. The theme of my talk tonight is simple ASME matters, manufacturing policy matters, and Federal Fellows matter, he said. They all matter to sound engineering public policy. Collaboration is notlage always easy, but it is highly effective in getting big things done. So too is engineering public policy and the reason why ASME Federal Fellows are so critically important. Public policy is a political process, requiring public input, deliberation and debate, Molnar continued. Moreover, today many - if not most - policy issues involve technology. Public policy depends on technically sound and unbiased information. Development of policies involving complicated technologies and commercial ecosystems especially requires subject matter experts from industry and academia. Today, both engineering and technology focused public policy is a systems challenge best done by teams. What is needed are subject matter experts in Congress and in the Executive Branch - Federal Fellows play a most important role.Later in his talk, Molnar related how he became involved in the Federal Government Fellows program out of the desire to serve the government in some volunteer capacity following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The attacks, he said, had resulted in a relatively lau economic recession, but a much deeper recession within the U.S. manufacturing sector that spurred the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in the Executive Office of the White House to seek for the first time an experienced federal fellow with expertise in manufacturing for help. After applying for the ASME Federal Fellows program and being competitively selected to serve as an ASME Fellow from 2003-2004, Molnar collaborated with then U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and Undersecretary for Technology Phillip Bond, in a number of advanced manufacturing and RD ac tivities, including organizing several regional roundtables, and ultimately developing the report Manufacturing in America.Following this work, the recession ended, U.S. manufacturing seemed to stabilize, and the national attention to manufacturing ended, Molar said. Yet manufacturing was not stable, and continued to hemorrhage jobs - some 6 million, representing a third of the entire direct workforce. In hindsight, more should have been done. The broader lesson Is the completion of a report, or passage of a bill, is only the start, he noted. Public policy requires sustained support. Initiatives need sound execution and successful implementation. Adjustments or course corrections are needed and for this, the ongoing involvement of stakeholders is needed. An active member ASME since 1982, Molnar has held more than 50 leadership positions at the local, regional and society levels, including section chair, vice president of ASMEs former Central Region, chair of the Manufacturing Engin eering Division, and leader of the Manufacturing Technical Group. He received the ASME Dedicated Service Award in 2004.Following his lecture, Molnar was presented with the Roy V. Wright Award by Kalan Guiley, vice president of the Board on Government Relations and the host of the nights program, who called the honor a tribute to (Molnars) tireless tafelgeschirr on behalf of ASME and the engineering and scientific community.Guiley acknowledged distinguished guest and ASME Member Dr. John Swanson for his generous contributions to the ASME Federal Government Fellowship. John is the quintessential American success story, Guiley said. Through hard work and drive he founded Swanson Analysis Systems Inc. in a farmhouse in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, and, together with a small group of employees, developed a system that would eventually become ANSYS. Bill Jones, a colleague of Johns and a former ASME Federal Fellow in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, says that John buil t ANSYS on a vision combined with dedication and a strong work ethic. John now brings that same energy to his philanthropy, giving to support the development of the future engineering workforce, advancement of the profession and service to the nation and the world.Guiley also expressed appreciation to two ASME Foundation Board Members, Lynden Davis and Jen Jewers, and thanked them for their support of the ASME Federal Fellows Program.William Wepfer, PhD, senior vice president of ASMEs Public Affairs and Outreach Sector, ASME Congressional Fellow Briana Tomboulian, PhD, who is currently serving in the office of Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Thomas Kurfess, PhD, current adjunct member of the Board on Government Relations and former ASME Foundation Swanson Fellow, also provided remarks during the award presentation program.