Good things can come out of the recession

Good things can come out of the recession

Over the past two years Ireland has gone through a dramatic change. The economic down turn has resulted in mass redundancies leaving many adults a little lost and confused.

However positive events may arise from this. Many redundancies have encouraged or indeed forced adults to rethink their career options at such an unstable time in their lives. This can be a completely productive experience; enticing mature students back to the classroom environment, to upskill for a better qualification, or to retrain and have a complete career change.

So how do you go about a new career choice? What do you choose and where do you begin your journey? Most importantly you must access your current needs. There are many routes you can opt for. The most financially secure option is to undertake a part-time evening course so you can study and work simultaneously. 

For most this is a real time of opportunity, to make a significant change in your life. Many adults have been stuck in a rut working in the same job for numerous years and redundancy pushes you to make that change and set about doing something completely different with your life. Now is the perfect time to carry out a skills analysis of your curriculum vitae. 

Examine your current skill set and learn how you can adapt your knowledge and education to another sector. Perhaps you have excellent communication skills and work well with people?  Do you enjoy nurturing others in health? Then a career in health education could be prosperous for you? It’s about merging what knowledge you currently possess with new skills to succeed in a new area. 

Initially the majority of people will feel overwhelmed at the thought of a career change later in life, especially if they have always worked in the same sector. For instance if you have always worked in banking and then set about working in the beauty industry. For most this would seem unachievable, but you can set about reaching your goal through part-time study in addition to a selection of short courses to develop your beauty knowledge. It is advisable to review all the opportunities available to you and draw up a plan in order to reach your ultimate goal.

There are three major areas to identify when researching courses: qualification and awarding bodies; job opportunities on completion of your course; and finally, the salary bracket that is achievable within your new chosen sector. 

The qualification and awarding bodies is paramount as this is what a potential new employer will look for when reading your CV. Additionally, a part-time or evening course could provide you with the ideal stepping-stone to bigger and better things. Many have taken the opportunity to study a new area, road testing their passion and ability through part-time studies only to find they want to achieve more and progress onto further studies. 

For example you may undertake a part-time diploma course that is FETAC accredited. This qualification will provide you with equal opportunity to break in to the job market; alternatively it is the ideal platform to progress onto a degree course if you so wish. When you are looking at new options carry out a full job research and see what current job opportunities are available.

The key factor to take into account when planning a career change is to choose something you enjoy. This is an ideal time to work in something you love - be one of those smug people you always envied who love their jobs and enjoy going into work every day. It can happen, you just need to set your mind to it and plan strategically.

Take a look at your life and what you enjoy personally. If you play sport on a regular basis and exercise, could you turn this passion into a life long career? Carry out a thorough research and explore all avenues. 

Seize this time of change and think optimistically. You can achieve your ultimate goal if you set your mind to it.


This article was kindly provided by the Portobello Institute - provider of part time courses in Montessori and Special Needs Education, Creative Studies, Beauty Therapy, Sports Therapy and Fitness, and Business & Travel and Tourism.