At some point in their lives, people might consider switching careers. Professionals want a career change for many reasons, from personal preferences or better industry stability to a sudden loss of passion for their previous occupation or new challenges. According to GoRemotely, the average person will change careers about 10-15 times in their lifetime, and they can start as early as their first work experience to new income opportunities post-retirement. If you are thinking about shifting careers, you can find solace in knowing that it is a common occurrence and that transitioning to a new industry is possible.
However, it does not mean that the transition won’t present a few obstacles along the way. One is identifying the rewarding jobs you can look at to justify the career shift. Fortunately, rewarding jobs are aplenty, and they come in many forms. Here are a few examples you might want to consider when looking for a new career to explore.
1. Teacher
Looking for rewarding jobs doesn’t have to be for yourself only. Many careers can offer you better pay and compensation. Still, there are only a few opportunities where your reward can be as fulfilling as helping and influencing the youth to better prepare for the future. Becoming a teacher is one of those career paths.
Teaching can be an emotionally rewarding and fulfilling career, and it can also offer stability. Teachers are necessary everywhere, so transitioning to teaching can be a good option if you have not decided on a new job yet. Teaching also allows individuals to instill a passion for knowledge in the younger generation. Whether unraveling the mysteries of mathematics or exploring the wonders of literature, educators have the privilege of being facilitators in the pursuit of wisdom. This process benefits students and provides teachers with a sense of accomplishment.
There are many avenues to explore when considering the transition to becoming a teacher. You can start with teaching kids at elementary schools, which often requires basic knowledge and understanding of a few general subjects in life. The level can help you ease into more prominent roles like teaching in high schools, which might require you to sharpen your knowledge of the specific course or subject you want to teach. Moreover, you might be dealing with teenagers, so you might have to learn essential soft skills like patience, conflict resolution, and communication skills to help you thrive in the high school environment.
If you are looking for rewarding jobs that offer better pay and compensation, you can also try teaching in international schools. Those academic establishments cater to international students who might require a more concentrated approach to teaching, demanding more from teachers. Teaching at the collegiate level is another teaching area that might provide better job stability. College instructors and professors require credentials to teach kids looking for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, meaning that the job demands required will encourage you to take on years of studying and practice.
Teaching can be a rewarding profession, making it a good choice when looking at rewarding jobs. Of course, you will have to work hard and obtain a teaching license. Still, the journey is worth it if you love educating the youth and preparing them for tomorrow.
2. Laboratory Scientist
Embarking on a new career journey can be both daunting and exhilarating, and for those intrigued by the mysteries of science, becoming a laboratory scientist holds a promise of deep satisfaction and professional fulfillment. Laboratory scientists are modern-day explorers, delving into the intricacies of biology, chemistry, and environmental science. Investigating the properties of various elements and substances contributes to understanding the world.
Becoming a laboratory scientist in biology can be one of the most rewarding jobs in that sector. They engage in research to investigate biological phenomena. This includes designing and conducting experiments to answer specific questions related to genetics, cell biology, physiology, ecology, or microbiology. These experiments often involve the use of specialized equipment and techniques. Laboratory scientists must also be proficient in various laboratory techniques like DNA extraction, microscopy, cell culture, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), gel electrophoresis, and more, depending on the specific focus of their research. Mastery of these techniques is essential for the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.
The work of a laboratory scientist is not confined to sterile rooms and complex instruments. It extends to making a tangible impact on the planet’s well-being. Providing environmental chamber service, in particular, involves creating controlled environments to simulate real-world conditions, enabling scientists to study the effects of various factors on ecosystems. This hands-on approach provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, making laboratory scientists in the environmental field among the most rewarding jobs to consider.
Of course, becoming a laboratory scientist will require a lot of studying and practice, and you might have to stick to one niche to ensure proper mastery. Getting a bachelor’s degree in science-related fields will be step one. Taking on medical school will also present you with another avenue to explore. However, being a laboratory scientist can be fulfilling, especially if it is a purpose-driven career switch.
3. Insurance Agent
Some people might want to explore new careers not to shift completely towards a new job but to earn additional income. They can look for side hustles or freelance opportunities to help them manage day-to-day expenses better or even create long-term stability their current work setup is not giving them. Becoming an insurance agent is one of the most rewarding jobs that fits the bill in that regard.
Becoming an insurance agent does not require people to take educational courses or seek specific licenses to practice professionally. Instead, professionals can apply at insurance agencies and learn from there. This process makes transitioning to become an insurance agent easier, making it one of the most rewarding jobs when considering instant gratification.
There are many insurance policies to sell depending on where you want to sign up. The most common is selling essentials like health and life insurance. Those policies cover people’s survival and stability, making getting customers easier. You can also sell necessities like homeowner’s and auto insurance policies, which can protect people’s assets. You can sell corporate insurance premiums if you want clients who can pay you more significant commissions. Businesses often have plenty of employees, which means you can sell insurance packages by the millions. You can also try church insurance, which protects churches from financial hardships. It might limit the number of customers you can get, but landing one means getting a good commission.
Of course, becoming successful as an insurance agent will require you to invest in professional development, particularly in sales. You can look at webinars and training development programs to help build your sales skills for insurance, allowing you to reap the rewards of a rewarding insurance career.
4. Dentist
Dentistry is one of the most rewarding jobs you can transition to if you want a permanent career shift. The job entails caring for patients’ dental health, whether cleaning or fixing dental issues. Dentists make over $227,000 annually, according to Indeed, making it a profitable career choice.
There are many ways to start a career in dentistry. You can be a local dentist at a nearby dental clinic, making it easier to jumpstart your career. If you have the funds and experience, you can open a private practice to make yourself your boss. Picking a niche is also possible, with some professionals choosing to become a cosmetic dentist. They focus more on providing a balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile, specializing in services like teeth whitening and dental bonding.
However, transitioning to a dentistry career will require more effort in studying and obtaining licenses. You must first go through dental school to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to practice professionally. It generally takes four years to graduate, and that’s if you come from a four-year bachelor’s degree course that can be considered as a pre-course. After dental school, you must secure a dental license to offer your services professionally. Then, getting experience through shadowing dentists or getting a dental residency will allow you to flourish in the new field. Dentistry is one of the most rewarding jobs requiring significant investment of time, money, and effort. However, it can be worthwhile once you are already in it.
5. Florist
The arts and crafts field offers plenty of career opportunities that people can transition into, and most of them come from hobbies or passion projects. Carpentry, woodworking, handmade crafts retail, and photography are only a few of what the sector can offer to creative people. However, becoming a florist is positioning itself to be one of the most rewarding jobs in the arts and crafts area.
Florists can use their creativity and organizational skills to design unique floral arrangements. There are various occasions and holidays to help explore the different designs you can play around with, such as Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and even funerals. As a result, becoming a florist can be both fun and profitable.
Of course, becoming a florist will require you to develop skills specific to what is needed to run a boutique. Creativity is a given, but customer service and social media management are two underrated skills that can help you thrive in the field. You can also cultivate your style, making your boutique stand out against competitors. If you can develop a social media presence, you can expect numerous customers to avail of your floral arrangements, making investing in digital marketing skills ideal.
Fortunately, you do not need a specific educational path to transition to a career as a florist. Of course, you will still have to learn how to develop your skills through either on-the-job training or constant practice. You can find a mentor or apprenticeship program to help you understand what it takes to become a professional florist.
6. Lawyer
For some people, transitioning to a new career means the need for stability and security. Their initial career choice might lead them to a point where they realize that they want to conquer a more traditional yet influential field. This is where becoming a lawyer becomes a dream of many.
Working as a lawyer can be a fulfilling career. With high compensation rates and various options to specialize in, entering the legal profession can be an ideal career shift choice that will lead to a better life. The average salary of a lawyer is nearly $128,000 per year, according to US News, which makes it among the most rewarding jobs to consider.
However, legal practice is a long-term investment when shifting into it. You must go through a pre-law course, which can be a bachelor’s degree in legal management, philosophy, and political science. Once you finish a pre-law degree, you will enter law school, which requires passing the Law School Admission Test and completing a Juris Doctor Law Degree. Once you reach the degree, you must prepare for the Bar Exam. You can prepare heavily for the exam to help increase your chances of passing, ensuring you can obtain your license and practice law. The entire career shift can take up to eight years to finish, and that’s if you have still yet to pick a specialization. Personal injury lawyers are among the most common legal professionals in the U.S., meaning you have plenty of mentors or law firms to help you achieve your dreams. However, you can also go into corporate, family, and tax law specializations. Whatever you choose, you can bet that becoming a lawyer is one of the most rewarding jobs out there.
Final Thoughts
Shifting to a new career can be challenging and intimidating, but it can also be rewarding. People do not just suddenly transition to a new industry; there are many reasons for you to do that. Regardless of your reason, you will find plenty of avenues to consider. These rewarding jobs are only a few examples. When you look into your personal preferences, career requirements, and willingness to self-invest, you can find a career you would love to move to compared to your current one.