Career Change At 30 With No Degree
To transition out of a full-time job and become a full-time independent professional, start by doing your research before making any life changes. Assess whether freelancing is a good idea through researching, which will involve determining if it is the right choice for you. Spoiler alert: it is!

Identify your interests and passion.
What does it mean to follow your career interests?
Following your career interests means pursuing a career that aligns with your values, preferences, and talents. Continuously identifying your career assets is crucial as your career interests may change over time.
Is it time to change careers at 30?
At the age of 30, changing careers may seem like an appealing prospect. However, it's important to consider that this is a challenging decision that can impact finances, family, mental health, and time. At this point in life, individuals typically have worked for around 10 years and still have several decades left to save for retirement. While there may be fewer responsibilities than at age 40 or 50, it's crucial to approach this decision with caution and thorough consideration.
Who should consider a career change?
Individuals who are second-guessing their original choice of careers and are contemplating making a career change should consider a change in their current profession.
Reach out to professionals in your desired field.
Is a career change possible at the age of 30?
Making a career change at the age of 30 is possible and can offer an opportunity to pursue one's passion. According to a step-by-step guide from Indeed.com UK, many individuals realize that their initial career choice or educational background was not what they truly wanted, making a career change at this age a better option. Additionally, such a change is easier on a personal level, providing a chance to rectify one's career path.
What should I do if I'm considering a career change?
For those considering a career change, seeking additional education through college courses, continuing-education classes, or free online resources can aid in deepening understanding of the potential career. A formal and expert tone, free of exaggeration or negative bias, is recommended when pursuing additional education to acquire a degree or certifications.
How to narrow your career change to a specific occupation?
To narrow your career change to a specific occupation, it is important to create an action plan that defines clear goals and milestones for completing it. According to Indeed.com's guide on changing career paths, this comes after conducting research and involves considering what steps are required to achieve your chosen occupation.
How do I choose a career?
To choose a career, a formal and expert tone suggests brainstorming jobs and industries that align with one's skills and values. If finding a suitable career becomes difficult, reaching out to professionals in one's network for assistance may prove beneficial.
Attend networking events and job fairs.
How to attend a career fair or networking event?
To attend a career fair or networking event, interested individuals can access the CareerForce page which lists all the available events open to the public. Clicking on the Event link provides more information about each event. For individuals requiring accommodations, the Accommodation Request phone number listed on the event page should be contacted.
Who attends job fairs?
Individuals from different backgrounds attend job fairs, including recent high school and college graduates and those seeking a change in their careers. In addition, people of all ages attend general career fairs as they offer a variety of opportunities. Job fairs are designed to cater to these specific groups and vary in size and focus.
How do I add my networking event to careerforce's calendar?
To add your networking event to CareerForce's calendar, you must fill out a form that will be reviewed by a staff member before it is posted on the calendar. It's important to note that this form should not be used if you're interested in participating in a career fair scheduled at a CareerForce location.
How do I organize a job fair?
To organize a job fair, employers should consider bringing alumni coworkers to college events to provide an authentic account of work culture. After deciding which event to participate in and who will attend, employers should contact the event organizers.
Consider obtaining a certification or specialized training.
Is it better to transition into a career in your 30s or 40s?
Transitioning into a career in your 30s or 40s can be better for some careers than others. Careers that require minimal education and/or training, such as those that only require an associate degree or certificate, can be good options. Additionally, some careers are more enjoyable as a second career later in life.
How long does it take to become an IT professional?
IT professionals can pursue either a certification or a degree to enter the industry; the length of time required to become a professional varies depending on the chosen path. However, IT professionals must continuously learn and stay up to date with evolving technology to remain successful. An eight-week course may be sufficient to prepare for an IT career, but a degree is not always necessary.
What are the differences between IT certifications & degrees?
IT certifications and degrees both offer opportunities for IT professionals to enhance their skills. However, certifications are often more affordable whereas degrees provide a more comprehensive education. The decision on which route to take depends on an individual's career goals and personal situation.
Can you change careers with a bachelor's degree?
Yes, according to career coach Janet Cranford, volunteering can be an effective way to change careers with a bachelor's degree. Identifying non-profit organizations and focusing on the one that needs your degree and leadership experience the most can be a helpful approach, particularly if you are interested in fundraising.
Update your resume and social media profiles.
What is a career change resume format?
The career change resume format is a type of resume that places equal emphasis on both skills and experience. This type of resume is beneficial for individuals who are looking to transition into a new career field and need to showcase their transferable skills rather than just their work experience.
Should you change your career in your 30s?
It's important to consider which transferable job skills you have that could be valuable in other industries when contemplating a career change in your 30s. Good communication skills, project management skills, and problem-solving capabilities are a few examples of skills that could be attractive to potential employers in various niches.
How do I update my resume?
To update your resume, start by choosing a format. As a career changer, a traditional reverse chronological approach may not be the best fit. Consider using a functional resume, also known as a skills-based resume, which highlights your skills rather than your work experience.
How to write a resume when switching careers?
To write a successful resume when making a career change, it is important to focus on highlighting relevant skills. To achieve this, a combination resume format should be utilized. Indeed.com offers six helpful steps to follow in order to create a resume that can lead to being hired, even if lacking direct experience in the new target field.
Prepare for potential salary changes and financial adjustments.
Will your organization provide salary increases in 2022?
According to the combined data from annual compensation surveys and recent rewards and benefits pulse surveys, it is expected that the majority of organizations will provide salary increases in 2022. The data presented excludes organizations that are not providing an increase.
Will changing jobs increase my salary?
Changing jobs does not guarantee an increase in salary, as stated by the Office of Human Resources' Compensation Standards and Practices. While such moves can develop an employee's expertise, it may not always result in a higher pay.
What does it take to make a career change?
To successfully make a career change according to Emilie Aries, Founder & CEO of Bossed Up, one needs to research new career paths, assess transferable skills and find opportunities that align with their lifestyle.
Will higher salaries keep pace with inflation?
New research shows that pay raises in the U.S. are returning to pre-pandemic levels, but because of rising prices, higher salaries are unlikely to keep pace with inflation in 2022.
Seek support from family and friends.
What happens when you make a change from an unsatisfying career?
Changing from an unsatisfying career to a satisfying career can result in positive outcomes and effects. If you are 30 and have been in your career for about 10 years or more, and plan on retiring by the average age of 65, you will have about 35 years to continue working.
Is 30-year-old career dissatisfaction normal?
Career dissatisfaction is common among 30-year-olds, often due to being overly optimistic about choosing a career from a list of "hot jobs." It may seem appealing in the short term, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee long-term satisfaction. It's important to consider the potential longevity and stability of a career before making a decision.
Is the first career always the best career?
According to examples provided by textprompt, the first career may not always be the best career path. Individuals such as Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone, and Walt Disney had different first careers before finding success in their respective fields. The article also suggests 10 best jobs for a midlife career change, implying that it is never too late to switch careers.
Stay positive and don't give up on your goals.
How do you stay positive if you never reach your goals?
Act toward your goals without expecting results and your sense of accomplishment will be even greater if you achieve them without assuming the result was inevitable. This approach can help you remain optimistic even if you never attain your goals. Additionally, the article suggests making other people happy as another effective way to maintain a positive attitude.
What are career goals?
Career goals refer to the desired outcomes individuals want to achieve in their professional life. It is essential to establish these goals to enable one to make progress and develop strategies towards achieving them, whether they are short or long-term goals. By creating these objectives, individuals can work towards achieving their ideal results.
Should you give up on your career dreams?
One shouldn't give up on their career dreams. Instead, they should evaluate the possible timeline of a setback, so that they can adjust their career goals and expectations accordingly. For instance, during an economic downturn, it may take a few years to get a promotion if a person is currently employed.
It is advised to put one's dream job on hold temporarily in such a scenario. This advice was given in an article titled "It's Okay to Put Your Dream Job On Hold" published in Harvard Business Review.
Is earning a promotion on your career goal list?
Earning promotions can contribute to career advancement and professional development, making it a potential goal for many individuals. It's helpful to speak with your manager about your interest in taking on additional responsibilities when pursuing this objective.
Be open to freelance or part-time opportunities while transitioning.
How do I transition out of my full-time job to freelancing?
To transition out of a full-time job and become a full-time independent professional, start by doing your research before making any life changes. Assess whether freelancing is a good idea through researching, which will involve determining if it is the right choice for you. Spoiler alert: it is!
Should you transition to a new career?
Transitioning to a new career might improve your happiness and quality of life if you are unhappy in your current job, need to make a life change, or want to follow your dream. However, carefully weigh the benefits and risks before making a decision to transition to a new career.
Is freelancing a viable career alternative?
Freelancing is indeed a viable career alternative according to the information provided in the article. It is a flexible option that allows individuals to build their work around their lives and not the other way around. The article suggests signing up for a freelancer account on Upwork to start building a freelancing business if transitioning from a full-time job to full-time freelancing.
What is an example of a career transition?
An example of a career transition is a technology sales manager who wants to switch to a role in trading or hedge funds. However, recruiters tend to push such individuals towards a similar job to their current one, despite possessing the skills required for a different sector. This information is from an article on making successful career transitions in the Harvard Business Review.
