Millennials change careers, on average, every three years. This is a stark difference from their parents’ generation, professionals who would stay at one company for decades at a time.
The shift owes to several factors. There’s less of an economic incentive to stay with one business since pension plans have been almost universally replaced by 401(k)s.
Millennials and the generations coming up behind them have also placed a higher priority on quality-of-life considerations. They seek balance and wellness in addition to compensation.
They’re more likely to stick around at a company when they have close relationships with their coworkers, and they’re more likely to leave when they feel pulled toward a more fulfilling opportunity.
If you’re a parent in your 30s, 40s, or 50s considering a second career, know first that you’re not alone, and second that there are lots of opportunities available. In the next few headings, we’ll look at popular career options, why they might work, and how you can get them.
Overview: Why Education and Advocacy Careers Are Popular Second-Career Options
Before we get into the logistical value of both career paths, it’s helpful to think about what factors tend to inspire people to change careers.
Often, when people are making this kind of pivot in their 30s or 40s, it’s because they are reprioritizing what they want from a career.
Popular considerations include:
- Work-life balance
- Flexibility
- A sense of purpose
Compensation does factor in, of course, but often much less than many people assume. It’s very normal for someone to be more concerned with doing work they actually value than with making the maximum amount of money possible.
Once basic needs like shelter, food, and savings are met, it’s common for a higher priority to be placed on how those 40-plus hours a week are spent.
It’s for these reasons that social work and education are popular choices. They are certainly both demanding.
Ask any teacher or social worker in your life, and they’ll tell you. But there are meaningful positives. You get to help people every day. You do work that creates clear improvements within your community.
And especially in the case of teachers, there is strong work-life balance. Working nine months out of the year and, on a good day, getting home around the same time as your kids matters to a lot of families.
For these reasons, people increasingly gravitate toward education, social work, or nursing. It’s also true that there are logistical factors that make the transition into these careers easier than many people expect.
Accelerated Programs Give You Rapid Professional Pathways
Social work, education, and healthcare careers all have accelerated accreditation routes for people who already have college degrees.
These programs are designed to get you into a new job, usually within 12 to 18 months of starting.
Because you already have a bachelor’s degree, you don’t have to worry about general education requirements.
You can focus on certification-specific classes, which generally amount to between 30 and 42 credit hours in a format that prioritizes speed.
During this time, you’re effectively a full-time student, which can make it difficult for people who are working a job at the same time.
Still, it’s a great option for those who want to make the pivot as quickly as possible.
Education and social work also have the option to begin at the graduate level, sometimes after completing prerequisites.
This route usually takes closer to two years at a full-time pace, but it allows you to start at a higher professional level and often with a slightly higher salary.
Flexible Alternatives
If an accelerated program isn’t the right fit for you, education and advocacy careers both have flexible online alternative routes that can be a great fit for parents looking to expand their credentials. Any online curriculum is going to be more accessible than a brick-and-mortar one.
When you’re really busy, even cutting out a 30-minute commute can make a big difference in your quality of life.
As an added bonus, online curricula give you the opportunity to consider more programs. You’re no longer limited to what’s near your house.
Some schools even offer online programs in a prerecorded format that provide additional flexibility. With these modules, you can complete work on your own timeline. The classes are not live, and assignments have broad due dates.
This allows you to prioritize your current job or time with your children as needed and work in the gaps.
Remember That There Are Lots of Options
Beyond the credentialing options, it’s good to keep in mind that education and social work both have a significant number of positions that many people don’t think of.
Education is particularly rich with opportunities. Everyone is aware of teaching, but there are also many different kinds of administrators and administrative roles that may be a good fit for people who don’t quite feel suited for the classroom environment.
For example, the instructional coordinator job description involves helping develop the materials teachers use in the classroom every day. It’s an important position that has the potential to impact even more lives than someone working directly in a classroom.
There are also many kinds of specializations in the world of social work. As you consider your options, you have a lot of opportunities to read up on the different types of jobs and decide exactly where your talents will take you.
Conclusion
Staring a second career in the face is hardest on the front end. With everything still ahead of you, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed.
Don’t let stress define the experience for you.
Going back to school is not easy. That’s not the same as saying it needs to be insurmountably hard.
There are many ways to prepare for a career in education or advocacy. Don’t worry about speed. Focus on the route that will get you where you want to be.
