When it comes to the New Year, it’s well known as a time of renewal and new beginnings. Famously “out with the old and in with the new” is something we often remind ourselves of as we come closer to the end of a year.
Amongst many other things, New Year’s Day is a celebration of having survived another 365 days, the period by which we keep a chronological record of our personal and professional lives. Your New Year’s resolutions may represent a deep need for you to exert some control over the future because we all know how dreadfully unpredictable the future may be.
With a fresh new year, it may be time for a fresh new career. With 2023 just around the corner, you may be prompted to leave behind your old job and consider a new exciting career you will truly love.
Keep reading to learn how you can leave your career change doubts behind in 2022 and start the New Year with a bang.
3 career change myths and how to overcome them
Undertaking a career change at any point in your life can be scary. Fear can often make you overthink and hold you back from making your decision. Although career change myths are valid, they can be easily debunked. Here are three ways to overcome your career change fears and get you on track before the ball drops.
- You need a degree to change careers
Undoubtedly, some careers require a university degree, such as a medical doctor, dentist, accountant, etc. But if you are someone who is thinking about pivoting into tech, you can do so without a university degree.
Tech is one of those industries where employers are more interested in your experience, transferable skills, portfolio, and if you can do the job. As a result, university degrees are slowly coming out of fashion. Instead, online education such as courses, immersives, and bootcamps are rising in popularity as they are more affordable, easier to mold around your personal life, and take a much shorter time to complete.
Choosing the education path depends on what will suit your lifestyle more. If you’re a full-time parent, committing to a more affordable, shorter course might make more sense.
You also need to think about if you’re going to continue working at your old job while career-changing, which is something people tend to do to ensure they have a monthly paycheck coming in. In this scenario, freelancing at a tech company during the weekends or starting an online part-time immersive might be more suitable.
- You cannot fail
When figuring out your career change, it’s all about trial and error. Of course, nothing really goes 100% according to plan, and that’s okay. Failure is part of success. In the wise words of Thomas Edison, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.
Navigating your career change takes time, and the best way to achieve your goals quickly is by doing so slowly and mindfully. As you evolve, grow, and change, you will develop new interests and try new things — which, more often than not, may lead to you failing at something. However, this is the only way you will learn and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
So don’t be so hard on yourself, and give yourself some breathing room. Deciding to change careers during the New Year can be an overwhelming thought all on its own, so take it one day at a time.
- You’re too old, and it’s too late
The age myth creeps up every time someone talks about changing careers. We said it once, and we’ll say it again, you’re never too old to change careers.
Statistically, the average age of workers who undertake career changes is 39. Additionally, a recent AIER study found that older adults trying to switch careers were most successful, and the majority were happier.
Some of the more well-known people with thriving careers undertook a career change at what is deemed to be an “older” age.
Take a look at Julia Child, who worked in advertising media before writing her first cookbook when she was 50. What about Vera Wang, who was a figure skater and journalist before pivoting into fashion and launching her own label at 40.
Talk to your family and friends if you still have doubts about your age. Knowing that you have a strong support system is oftentimes the confidence we need to move forward and begin a career change.
Top jobs for career changers in 2023 and beyond
Over the last three years, we’ve seen the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many industries. With a global recession looming, many companies have been letting go of staff with the fear that business will depreciate. However, there are still industries that are actively hiring in-demand talent. Here’s a list of some jobs you should keep an eye out for in the New Year.
- Data Scientist
Data science definitely takes the crown for the most in-demand job for 2023 and beyond. Considering the tremulous market conditions we live in, most companies need Data Scientists to help them navigate the market. Data is power, and data science-related jobs will continue to rule the market.
According to Business Insider, data science jobs will continue to be relevant all the way up to 2030, meaning that you will be starting a career that is ultimately future-proof.
Top skills required:
- Data analysis and modeling
- Math and statistics
- Basic knowledge of coding languages like Java, Python and Rust is always an advantage
- Data visualization and presentation skills
- Blockchain Engineer
Blockchain technology is really an up-and-coming tech that companies and institutions across the globe will widely use. Cryptocurrency is one of the main use cases of blockchain tech. However, medical companies, law firms, and grocery stores are beginning to utilize the decentralized immutable ledger technology.
According to recent studies by Grand View Research, blockchain technology will scale at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 85.9%. Making blockchain-related jobs one of the most secure careers for 2023.
Top skills required:
- Good concept of programming languages like JavaScript, C++, Rust, and Python
- Knowledge of blockchain architecture like hybrid, consortium, public, and private networks
- Understanding of smart contract concepts, cryptography, hash functions and consensus
- Digital Marketer
Pre-pandemic digital marketing was just part of the fundamental marketing mix for most companies. Post-pandemic, almost all marketing is digital because most of us consume content and buy products online.
Companies were forced to pivot their business online and need skilled digital marketers to successfully market to their customers, nurture their online communities, and deliver high-quality educational content.
Top skills required:
- Data-driven decision-making and the ability to read data
- Understanding of SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Knowledge of digital marketing tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, Pardot, Semrush and more.
- Excellent communication skills
- Content marketing and creation skills
- UX/UI Designer
As companies bring their businesses online, User Experience and Interface designers become a critical component of designing all the digital touchpoints the customer interacts with. This includes things like the company website, products and apps.
According to recent research, the demand for UX and UI designers is predicted to grow by 13% from 2017-2027.
Top skills required:
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Information Architecture
- Market research
- Visual communication
- Excellent presentation and communication skills
- Network Security Engineer
As the usage of digital devices and internet users rises daily, so do cybercrime rates. The global annual cost of cybercrime is estimated to reach $6 trillion per year. Cybercrime has also increased by over 600% since the pandemic’s start.
Network security engineers are responsible for keeping client, partner, and company data secure. Since the threat of cybersecurity is growing at instantaneous rates, network security engineering is a very secure and lucrative job.
Top skills required:
- Ability to pre-empt security breaches
- Ethical hacking skills
- An understanding of data ethics and data management
Start planting seeds for the growth of bigger and better career options this new year
The New Year brings about new possibilities and is a time when our minds and body are preparing for new opportunities. But, it’s also a time for rest where you spend valuable time with your friends and family. Therefore, enjoying this time and remaining on track with your career change plans is essential. So, how can you do this? Here are three simple tips to ease into your career change this New Year.
- Identify your valuable transferable skills
Transferable skills can sometimes also be referred to as “portable skills.” As the name suggests, transferable skills are skills we can transfer and utilize from one career to the other.
Identifying these skills during your career change is critical to ensure you are not starting from zero. Identifying your transferable skills and highlighting them during an interview is also a great way to help the recruiter understand your background and how it can be applied to your new career.
Here are five top transferable skills employers will seek out in 2023:
- Communication
Samples of transferable communication skills include: active listening, written communication, verbal communication, confidence, the ability to give and receive feedback, and nonverbal communication.
- Teamwork
Samples of transferable teamwork skills include: relationship building, active listening, collaboration, self-awareness, and conflict resolution.
- Organization
Samples of transferable organizational skills include: time management, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and prioritization.
- Critical Thinking
Samples of transferable critical thinking skills include: good at analyzing and evaluating problems, strong cognitive skills, a positive mindset, ability to work alone and in teams.
- Problem Solving
Samples of transferable problem-solving skills include: the ability to work under pressure, work alone and in teams, adaptability and flexibility, level-headedness, and resilience.
2. Identify the hard skills you need to make career change happen
Once you’ve pinpointed all your transferable skills, it’s also critical to showcase your hard skills on your LinkedIn profile and resume. Your hard skills can also be referred to as your technical skills. In today’s world of recruiting, including the right hard skills on your profile will help you appear in front of recruiters and hiring managers.
Some of the top technical skills for 2023 include.
- Data Analysis: considering data analytics is also one of the top jobs for 2023, it’s no surprise this tech skill is highly in demand as well. If you have a background in data analysis but want to learn more, or you’re a career changer looking to pick up this skill, check out some of our data analytics courses, where you can learn in-demand skills and essential tools to get you job-ready.
- Programming: if you’re thinking about pivoting into tech, programming is a skill that will help you stand out from the crowd. If you’re interested in a data analytics, web design, UX/UI design, or software engineering role, programming is an essential skill to master. Some of the most popular coding languages include Python, Rust, Java, C++, and Ruby. If you’re looking to pick up this new skill, take a look at some of our part-time immersive programming courses.
- UI/UX Design: user experience and user interface design is also one of the top jobs for 2023. If you’re someone who has a flare for visual design but wants to pivot into tech, picking up UI and UX design skills is key. If you’re thinking about picking up this skill this New Year, take a look at some of our visual design and UX design immersives.
3. Start networking early
Since the New Year is a time when we socialize more by attending New Year’s eve parties, spending time with friends and family, and meeting new people. Why not take advantage of these social situations? You will know once you try, and you might be surprised that someone else is also going through a career change.
Let’s be real, too, majority of working professionals tend to vent about work during social outings. So why not take advantage of these conversations and build new connections? Conversations like these are also a great time to gain more unfiltered insight into the industry you are pivoting to and what the job you are interested in really entails.
New year, new job, new you
As with any significant change in life, failure is inevitable, and it’s the tool that will enable us to grow, learn, and navigate through life. So if you’re ready to start your career change before the ball drops this New Year, take a look at some of the free resources we offer.
Additionally, download our “Career Changer’s Guide to Doing Something Different” to understand better what a career change entails, how long it takes to change careers, and some hot tips and resources from some of the industry’s brightest minds.