If you’ve been out in the job market for any length of time, you may be feeling in a rut and finding that there aren’t many opportunities to move up in your company or industry. There are some specific steps you can take to increase your skills or make a move to a different field in order to give your career and income a needed boost.

 

Career change

If you’re thinking of changing careers, you may need to meet with a career counselor at your previous college or one in your area. Career counseling can give you an idea of the opportunities available, the income potential and the courses you will need to qualify for entry level jobs.

Update your education

Making a career change may require that you return to college for another degree or attending graduate school of an advanced degree and specialization. Visit with campus financial aid and scholarship representatives to get an idea of costs and how you can qualify for any school aid or federal loans to pay for your education. If you are working full-time, you may want to consider the many online graduate degree programs or online undergraduate offerings. These online universities will also help you determine fees and see if you qualify for aid, scholarships or low cost loans.

Look at trade schools

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Many fields today don’t require a university degree but are taught at the trade school level. Careers that require medical billing training are popular trade school subjects as are computer repair training, bartending school and cosmetology school. Some of these trade school offerings may be located in your area and have classes that you can attending during evenings and weekends. Check out the possibilities available so that you do not have to quit your day job.

Real Estate agent or broker

If you have always wanted to sell real estate, this is an area you can study for an possibly even get started with while you’re working your regular job. Find out where you can take classes in your area such as attending a local community college. You can contact the school to learn about testing and licensing requirements for your area and state.

Starting a business. Do you dream of owning your own business? With the affordability and easy access of online, Web-based businesses, you can be a small business owner while working your regular job. This is a great way to get started, build up your business and profits before you quit your day job. Consider the pros and cons of starting an online business versus as “bricks and mortar” business with a fixed location. Do plenty of research on the type of business you want to start, talk to others in the same industry and then give it a try. If you need to learn business basics, check into the community college in your area for available classes.

If you are motivated and wanting a change, you can get the training you need to jumpstart your career or change careers and begin something new. Whatever you do, have a solid plan and learn the skills you’ll need before taking the plunge. Then you’ll know you are setting yourself up for success.