Training for a career change after having children

Training for a career change after having children

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Bringing a child into the world can have a profound effect on parents for a variety of different reasons – you tend to view the world differently, your priorities shift, and in some cases, you may experience some major life changes. One of those life changes can be surrounding work. For years, many of us build up a wealth of knowledge and experience, in order to become successful, only to discover that you are no longer interested in the role any longer. It may seem like a mountain to climb, but it is completely possible to train for a career change after having children – it’s really not as hard as it seems.

Steps to take to tackle a career change

It is vital to read as much as you possibly can about the industry that you are hoping to retrain and join. It is important to find out what is happening within the sector, and find out what specific roles are most in-demand and the common routes to become established in the sector. For example, there may be an increase in demand, or there may be an emphasis on certain skills that will help to shape your character and CV, in order to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

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Looking at job guides are a great way to gain a basic understanding of what your ideal job entails, including detailed information such as, what the typical working hours are, and the type of professional and personal attributes you will need to bring to the table in order to secure a job in the industry. Once you have your eyes set firmly on the industry of your dreams, it is wise to start looking at courses you can enrol to, to help gain a richer understanding and have accreditation to outline on your CV.

Most courses run at various times a week, in order to help you complete training around a busy schedule, including family life, childcare and work. If you are unable to attend an in-house course, there are a wide variety of online courses to choose from that suit you; including degree programmes. The perks of being able to complete courses online means you can learn and work at your own pace, whilst communicating with course leaders and peers, to allow your own family and work commitments to continue as normal.

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Signing up to courses is a great way to equip you with the relevant qualifications you need to venture into a new field of work. By going out of your own way to learn more and explore more about the industry and role says a great deal about your character, which prospective employers admire, as it shows a high level of dedication, initiative and willpower.

If you already have a large quantity of experience and qualifications behind you, you may be able to opt for a short-haul course, lasting for as little as one day – some you can even complete online. A popular choice for many in this situation, is the award winning Prince2 training courses in project management. Achieving a Prince2 training certification can be very useful for your CV, as it is highly regarded by companies around the world.

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Training for a new role is one thing, but getting your name out there is another challenge. Social networks, such as the profession network, LinkedIn, is a great way to use your connections to get introduced to people that are looking for candidates to hire. It is essential to make sure your profile is up-to-date and engage, contribute, participate to establish new connections with other likeminded people in the same industry you wish to pursue a career in, and may even help gain some all-important work experience.

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