You may already have the skills for a new career, writes Jim Bright.
Who hasn't considered a career change?
No matter how satisfied we have been in our chosen field, there comes a point in most people's lives when they yearn to do something that's new and different.
The trouble many face in achieving change is working out what else they can do. Few of us are willing to leap into an area where our skills are totally irrelevant and drop to the absolute bottom of the ladder.
The good news is that many workers have skills that are eminently transferable. Without too much readjustment, teachers can become public relations officers, accountants can become stockbrokers and marketers can be travel agents.
"Think of your skills in terms of content and process," says Dr Robert Pryor, who works at the Vocational Capacity Centre assessing transferable skills. "You can transfer both what you know and what you do to other jobs."
Teaching
There are more than 300,000 people who are working as teachers in Australia.
Often the biggest issues for teachers wanting to change industries are their modesty and the mistaken belief they don't work "in the real world".
In fact teachers have outstandingly transferable talents to bring to a new career, such as planning and organising, written, oral and IT-based communication skills, critical thinking and interpersonal skills.
Pryor says other occupations teachers could consider include: corporate trainer, technical writer, human resources manager, child-care centre manager, education officer, public relations officer, communications manager and events manager. With training they can become university lecturers and educational psychologists.
Nursing
Nursing employs more than 100,000 people in diverse areas.
Nurses are blessed with a tremendous set of skills, including medical knowledge, dealing with people, responsibility, empathy, crisis management, the ability to cope with shift work, team skills and people skills.
Some occupations that are worth considering include: medical sales, personal trainer, physiotherapist (with training), doctor or other medical specialist (with training), dietitian, counsellor, nurse educator, nursing agency manager, teacher, social worker, medical administrator and hospital designer.
Sales and marketing
There are more than 100,000 sales and marketing managers in Australia. They take responsibility for the co-ordination of sales teams, developing or implementing marketing plans and monitoring sales.
Pryor suggests workers consider other management roles, such as human resource or financial management and policy planning.
He also suggests journalism and copywriting. Other roles include corporate trainer, public speaker, public relations management, management consultant, television presenter, real estate agency manager, travel agent, logistics management, shop manager and teaching (with training).
Accounting
There are 150,000 people employed in this profession in Australia. They have a very desirable skill set, including analytical thinking, skill with numbers and an ability to understand the fundamentals of running a business.
Pryor suggests financial adviser, stockbroker, funds manager, general management and small business manager as possibilities. Others include management consultant, company secretary, policy analyst and chief executive of a non-profit organisation.
Information technology
Talented IT workers combine technical ability with communication skills. One option is the role of project manager - a position that requires someone who can understand both geek-speak and the needs of clients. Other possibilities include sales and marketing, management, consulting and scientific roles such as laboratory manager. Add to this roles including security consultant, teaching, sales analyst and sound engineer.
Retail
Retail workers are well-organised, good with customers, helpful and calm under fire. They are good with cash and understand marketing principles, inventories and ordering.
Pryor suggests stock clerk, warehouse work, sales representative, buyer, fraud analyst, insurance investigator, retail or general tour guides, beauty therapist, clerical work, carer roles, bar manager, reception work or service manager.
Administrative and clerical
Typical talents possessed by this group include clerical skills, being organised, teamwork, literacy-numeracy, communication skills and the ability to follow procedures properly.
Possible roles that would suit these people include medical secretary, a personal assistant, a role in assessment or as an inspector, a nurse's aide, security guard or a beauty therapist.
Make a change
To find out more about other jobs you could do, consult these helpful websites.
- mycareer.com.au - Search for jobs, careers advice and occupational information
- joboutlook.gov.au - A government site with information on occupations, wages and skill sets
- www.psychology.org.au - Get a referral to a local psychologist to assist you in your career transition
- www.cdaa.org.au - Get a referral to a career counsellor and other job-seeking advice
- myfuture.edu.au - Lots of information about careers and occupations
