Is it Time to Retrain? - myFootpath

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Is it Time to Retrain?

The economy is always changing. Certain industries expand while others shrink. If you are one of the millions of Americans who find themselves in a struggling sector of the economy, chances are you’re feeling the recession harder than most. A recent Pew Study showed that 44% of Americans feel they will face real difficulties-up to and including being laid off-in their workplace this year.[1]

  1. Are your friends and coworkers being let go?
  2. Is there a hiring freeze in place at your firm?
  3. Is management cutting back on benefits?
  4. Are jobs being outsourced overseas?
  5. Does your company seem to be suffering particularly hard from the economic downturn?
  6. Are you unhappy in your current position?
  7. Do you feel underpaid or under-appreciated?
  8. Have you become expendable?
  9. Is your job in danger?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time to consider switching to a more promising career. Here’s myFootpath’s quick guide to a more competitive-and more fulfilling-career.

Don’t be scared. Millions of Americans successfully re-train every year. More than 90 million adult Americans participate in some form of education past high school.[2] All it takes is some planning and a will to succeed. You are not too old. You are not too busy. From night programs to online options, there are thousands of colleges and university programs out there; one of them will fit your schedule. Adults make up 40% of all college students. [3] You can be one of them.

You are not too poor. From loans, to grants, to scholarships, to work-study, there are a variety of financial aid options available to you. Moreover, most students are in the same boat: 66% of all undergraduates receive financial aid.

Pick out a growing industry. For example, it’s probably not the best time to go into the Auto industry. Figure out what is hot right now. Hints: Healthcare, Information Technology, Criminal Justice. According to the New York Times, 168,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in February. Yet, even in this ailing economy, the Healthcare industry added 32,000 jobs! [4]

Figure out who’s hiring in your area. Even industries that are thriving right now aren’t necessarily expanding in every part of the country. Go to popular online employment sites like careerbuilder.com and craigslist.com and research job opportunities. Talk to employers and recruiters about the skills they like to see in job candidates. Be realistic about your goals.

With education, the sky’s the limit, but remember that you always have to start somewhere. Want to be a rocket scientist? Great. But you might want to start with aviation technology. Want to be a brain surgeon someday? Good for you. But consider with something more attainable, like medical assisting or surgical technology. Most importantly, find something marketable. For example, according to the Department of Labor, the number of Medical Assistants employed in the US is projected to grow by 35 % by 2016.[5]

Related Articles:

Our Guide to the Most Promising Careers

Careers that Get You Working Fast

Sources: pewresearch.org; solutionsforourfuture.org; nytimes.com; bls.gov

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