How to change your career

For many people, the prospect of changing careers can be daunting. From thoughts of going back to education or taking training courses in your spare time to the temporary disruption switching jobs could have on your wider life, there are always reasons not to go through with a career change, even when you know it would be for the best long-term. However, no matter how old you are or what the economy is looking like, when properly thought-out and planned, a change of career could be the most rewarding thing you ever do. 

Here at Simply Academy, this got us thinking – just how do you go about changing careers? Can you do this without going back into education or without a degree, for example? And can you find a new career without losing money? In this blog we’ll answer all of these questions and more. 

How do you know it’s time for a career change?

Sometimes dissatisfaction with your job is temporary – a difficult project, a tough month, or a tricky colleague. But there are some signs that what you’re feeling runs deeper than a passing frustration, and that a career change might genuinely be the right move.

Ask yourself honestly whether any of the following apply to you:

• You feel consistently unmotivated, regardless of the role or company you’re in
• Your values no longer align with your industry or the work you do
• You feel your skills are going to waste, or that you’re no longer growing professionally
• You regularly envy people who work in different fields
• Work is negatively affecting your health, relationships, or overall wellbeing.

If you recognise several of these signs, it could well be time to take the plunge. The good news is that recognising the need for change is the first – and often hardest – step. From there, a structured plan can make the process far less overwhelming.

How to prepare for a career change

Preparation is everything when it comes to a successful career change. Rushing into a new role without doing the groundwork can leave you in a worse position than before. Here’s how to set yourself up properly before you make the leap:

Get clear on what you want (and what you don’t)

Before updating your CV or applying for anything, spend time reflecting on what you genuinely want from work. Think about the type of environment you thrive in, the kind of tasks you find energising, and what a meaningful working day looks like for you. It’s equally useful to identify what you definitely don’t want, as this can quickly narrow your options and save time.

Audit your transferable skills

Almost every professional skill has some degree of transferability. Communication, project management, problem-solving, client relations, data analysis – these capabilities carry across industries. Make a thorough list of yours. This will form the backbone of how you position yourself to new employers.

Research the gap

Once you’ve identified a target industry or role, research what qualifications, experience or skills you may be missing. This doesn’t have to mean years of full-time study. Many skill gaps can be addressed through professional short courses, online certifications, or practical volunteering. Simply Academy, for example, offers a range of accredited courses designed to help career changers gain the qualifications they need quickly and flexibly.

Build your financial runway

Career transitions can sometimes involve a temporary dip in income, particularly if you need to retrain first. Where possible, try to build up savings before you make the move, and review your monthly outgoings to understand the minimum you need to earn. Having a financial buffer in place removes a lot of pressure and allows you to make clearer decisions.

Tell people

Don’t underestimate the power of your network. Let trusted colleagues, former managers, friends, and family know that you’re exploring a change. Many opportunities arise through word of mouth, and a recommendation from someone who knows your work can carry far more weight than a cold application.

How to manage a career change

If you’re seriously considering a change of career, knowing how to successfully manage the change is essential. After all, your career is a big part of your life, and a sudden change of tack can impact other areas of your life, including your family and personal life. To help ensure a smooth transition, try following these five steps:

• Assess you current skills

If you have decided the time is right for a career change, the first thing you need to do is take a personal inventory of your existing skills, qualifications and experience. Simply write down every skill you believe has contributed to your past successes and think about how these skills could be applied to future roles you may be interested in. Eventually, this can form the basis of your new CV.

• Choose an industry you’d like to work in

If the reason you are looking to start a new career is simply because you don’t like your current one, the chances are you will want to look into jobs in completely new industries. The best way to do this is simply to look over your assessment of skills, qualifications and experience (completed in step one), and use it to decide what types of careers and industries best suit your skills, wants and needs. 

For example, if you currently work as a Digital PR Executive for a digital marketing agency, you could use your skills and experience from being in this role to secure a new career in a range of industries from written and broadcast media, to corporate PR, to community relations. While you do not have to be limited by your past experience and skills, choosing a new industry in which your existing skills can be transferred makes a career change much easier.  

• Research job matches in your chosen industry

When you’ve managed to narrow your career shift down to a few industries, your next task is to research potential job opportunities. Contact people in the field you are interested in, ask lots of questions, and make sure to do as much research as possible.

During this stage, you could even use your personal network of contacts, both professional and personal, that you have built up over the years. Whether you’re reaching out to an old school friend working in the industry you would like to enter or a former boss you are contacting for a reference, you never know where an opportunity may arise. You could even actively seek out volunteering or internship opportunities at this stage. This not only shows willingness to progress in a new industry, it can also provide you with priceless experience. 

• Consider educational courses

The penultimate stage of managing a career change involves education. If you want to  move into a field that requires a specialist degree or other qualification, for example, you may need to seek additional higher education courses before you apply. Whether you go to college, evening classes, university or complete an online qualification, make sure you know which qualifications are most relevant to the type of career you want. 

• Start applying!

Finally, once you have chosen the industry you want to work in, the type of role you want, and you have the necessary skills to start on this career path, all that’s left to do is start applying for roles that you’re interested in. 

How to change careers without going back to school 

As we have discussed above, when managing a change of career, there is not always the need to go back into education. For many career transitions, the skills and experience you already have, as well as any existing qualifications, are enough.

While it is true that, if you are considering moving into an industry or role that requires a degree or other specific qualification, you may need to enroll in a programme of higher education, this does not necessarily mean you will have to go back to a formal school or college setting. As already touched upon, many relevant courses can now be completed online from the comfort of your own home, for example.

How to change careers without a degree

Similarly, a degree is not always necessary when undertaking a career change. While a university degree will always be an extra feather in your cap, they are certainly not essential for all career changes. In fact, in many cases, relevant or transferable skills and experience picked up during your professional life could be more valuable in the eyes of an employer than a new degree. Additionally, instead of going back to university to complete a degree, many relevant qualifications – including everything from accountancy and mortgage advice to coding and software design – can now be attained informally via professional online courses and evening classes. 

How to change careers without losing money

The thought of switching careers can be a daunting one, especially if you think that the knock-on financial effects of the change may negatively impact your family. However, if you prepare for your change and manage the transitions properly (using the steps outlined above), there are ways you can make the move without taking a huge pay cut. To give yourself the best chance of changing careers without losing money, it’s important to remember to:

• Focus on careers in which your existing skills can be transferred 
• Fill in any skills gaps with additional education and qualifications 
• Use professional and personal connections to network and get your foot in the door
• Reduce your personal expenses and start saving ahead of the switch, if possible
• Be realistic when choosing a new career path and applying for new roles.

What is the best career to retrain for?

One of the most common questions for anyone considering a career change is: where do I actually start? With so many industries and roles to choose from, it can feel paralysing. The honest answer is that the “best” career to retrain for depends heavily on your individual skills, interests, and circumstances. That said, there are some sectors that consistently offer strong demand, good earning potential, and accessible routes into the profession for career changers.

Financial services and mortgage advice

The financial services sector is a strong option for career changers, particularly for those who are analytical, detail-oriented, and good with people. Roles such as mortgage adviser and financial planner are in consistent demand, and the qualifications required – such as the CeMAP for mortgage advisers – can be gained through professional study rather than a full degree. Simply Academy specialises in CeMAP training, offering flexible courses designed specifically for people entering the profession from other backgrounds.

Technology and digital skills

Tech remains one of the most accessible and well-remunerated sectors for career changers. Roles in areas like UX design, data analysis, software development, and cybersecurity are in high demand, and many can be entered via bootcamps, short courses, or self-directed online learning rather than traditional degrees.

Healthcare and wellbeing

Healthcare and mental health support roles have seen significant growth in recent years. While some medical roles require lengthy study, others – such as health coaching, counselling, or occupational therapy support – can be accessed through shorter professional qualifications and are well-suited to career changers who have strong interpersonal skills.

Education and training

If you have deep expertise in your current field, a move into education or professional training can be a natural and rewarding transition. Whether that means becoming a lecturer, a workplace trainer, or a private tutor, this path allows you to leverage your existing knowledge while building a new professional identity.

Ultimately, the best career to retrain for is one that aligns with both your existing strengths and where the job market is heading. Take time to research labour market trends, talk to people already working in the fields you’re considering, and choose a path where your retraining investment is most likely to pay off.

To find out more about how Simply Academy can support your career change journey, get in touch with our dedicated team by emailing [email protected] or calling us free on 0808 208 0002.