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Ready For Change? Great Careers To Start at 30 Years Old

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person changes jobs 12.4 times between the ages of 18 and 54. That’s a lot! If you’re looking for the best careers to start at 30 years old, in this post we will cover a variety of industries and what that change of career path might look like.

The truth is, no one formula will work for everyone when choosing the best careers to start at 30. However, it is possible to make a career start or change whether you prefer high-paying professions with lots of prestige and advancement opportunities. Or whether you like more humble roles that offer flexibility or less demanding hours.

Career Paths To Start At 30 Years Old:

Careers in Healthcare to Start at 30

When it comes to deciding on a career, most people think that the ideal time to begin is in their twenties. However, several careers in healthcare can also be excellent choices. Moreso, for those looking to start or change their careers at 30. 

Whether you want to become a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, you can find many exciting career opportunities available in this growing industry. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a career in healthcare at 30

  • These roles allow you to work directly with patients and provide essential health services.
  • They also allow you to develop your skills over time and take on increasing levels of responsibility as your career progresses. 
  • Additionally, a career in health care offers plenty of opportunities to advance your career and seek out additional responsibilities over time.
  • Furthermore, these careers are often associated with solid training programs and competitive salaries, making them financially attractive options.

Challenges associated with pursuing a career in healthcare at 30

Of course, there are also some potential drawbacks to considering a career in healthcare later in life.

  • For example, jobs in this field can be quite physically demanding. So those with preexisting health conditions or mobility issues may find it difficult or impossible to do this type of work. 
  • Additionally, competition for some positions may be intense if you are starting later than younger candidates who have been working in the field for years longer than you. 

Regardless of these challenges, however, there are many benefits to beginning your career in healthcare. Especially at 30, it is one of the most rewarding choices you could make as you start adult life. Ultimately, choosing a career in healthcare is about finding the right fit for your interests and abilities, regardless of your age.

Despite these challenges, a healthcare career can be an excellent choice for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others.

There are many careers in healthcare you can pursue from hospital billing to audiology to dental hygienist to nutritionist, there are a lot of options, especially for people with a college degree.

Careers in Education to Start at 30

Education is another field that offers many opportunities for those looking to start their careers later in life. Whether you want to become a teacher, administrator, or counselor, there are many different roles to choose from in this field. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a career in education at 30:

  • Working in education offers the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people. 
  • If you’re passionate about working with children and helping them reach their full potential, then a career in education may be perfect for you. 
  • Additionally, jobs in this field are often gratifying and can offer competitive salaries and benefits packages. 

Challenges associated with pursuing a career in Education at 30:  

While there are many great things about starting your career in education later in life, there are also some challenges to consider. 

  • For example, you may find it challenging to keep up with the latest technology used in schools if you’re not familiar with it. 
  • Additionally, you may have difficulty establishing authority over much younger students than you. 

So if you’re looking for a field that will challenge you while also enabling you to make a positive difference in people’s lives, then look no further than education.

Some roles to consider in this field are school counselor, teacher, tutor, or an administrator. If you’re interested in a career path in education, consider getting in touch with your local community colleges

best careers to start at age 30

Careers in Technology To Start at 30

Technology is another field that is perfect for those looking for opportunities to start their careers later in life. You will find many different roles available in this growing industry. Some include becoming a software developer, web designer, or database administrator. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a career in technology at 30:

  • The technology field offers many opportunities for growth and advancement. 
  • If you’re interested in a particular technology area, you can often find a position that will allow you to specialize. 
  • Additionally, jobs in this field are often very well-paying. Hence, they are an excellent option for earning a good income. 

Challenges associated with pursuing a career at 30:  

While there are many benefits to starting your career in technology later in life, some challenges are considered. 

  • For example, you may find it challenging to keep up with the latest technological advances.
  • Additionally, competition for some positions may be intense if you start later than younger candidates.

Roles in tech to consider:

  • information security analysts
  • web developer
  • project management/project manager
  • data scientist
  • information security analyst

Some of these might require a master’s degree, so make sure you know what education requirements you’ll need.

Careers in Writing and Journalism

If you’re a good writer and have always been interested in journalism, then a career in writing or journalism may be a good fit for you. There are many different types of writing and journalism roles available, so you should be able to find one that matches your interests and skills. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a career in writing or journalism at 30:

A career in writing or journalism offers the opportunity to use your creativity and storytelling skills. 

If you’re passionate about current affairs or have a knack for research, then a career in this field may be perfect for you. 

Additionally, jobs in this field can be interesting and varied, providing you with the opportunity to learn new things all the time. 

Challenges associated with pursuing a career in writing or journalism at 30:  

The challenges associated with pursuing a career in writing or journalism are similar to those of other creative fields. 

For example, you may find it difficult to get your work published or to find steady work as a freelancer. 

Additionally, the hours can be long and the pay may not be as high as you would like.

Careers in Business

There are many different types of business careers available, making it a great option for those looking for a new career path. Some popular options include becoming a business analyst, marketing manager, or sales representative. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a career in business at 30:

Business careers offer the opportunity to use your analytical and problem-solving skills. 

You’ll also have the chance to network and build relationships with other professionals. 

Additionally, many business roles are very well-paying, making them a great option for earning a good income. 

Challenges associated with pursuing a career in business at 30:  

The challenges associated with pursuing a career in business are similar to those of other professional fields. 

For example, you may find it difficult to advance your career if you don’t have the right connections. 

Additionally, the hours can be long and the work can be very stressful.

Some roles to consider as a second career are:

  • Human resources manager
  • Project management
  • Business administration
  • Public relations specialist
Business woman climbing up on hand drawn staircase concept on city background

Careers That Need a Master’s Degree

One thing to consider when pursuing a new career path is what education you might need to move forward in those roles.

Here is a list of career paths that benefit from a master’s degree:

  • Doctor
  • Lawyer
  • Management Consultant
  • Psychologist
  • Research Scientist

Pursuing any of these careers may take years of schooling and training, but the payoff can be worth it in terms of both salary and job satisfaction. If you’re looking for a long-term career change, then furthering your education may be the right choice for you.

Freelance Careers

If you’re interested in pursuing a freelance career, then there are a few things you should keep in mind. 

Benefits associated with pursuing a freelance career at 30:

Freelance careers offer the opportunity to be your own boss and set your own hours. 

You’ll also have the chance to work from home or anywhere else that has an internet connection. 

Additionally, many freelance roles are very well-paying, making them a great option for earning a good income. 

Challenges associated with pursuing a freelance career at 30:  

The challenges associated with pursuing a freelance career are similar to those of other creative fields. 

For example, you may find it difficult to get your work published or to find steady work as a freelancer. 

Additionally, the hours can be long and the pay may not be as high as you would like.

Freelance careers to consider:

The good news is that by going freelance, you can do almost any position as an independent contractor. Some ideas are:

  • graphic design
  • social media
  • digital marketing
  • consulting
  • coaching
  • web design
  • web developers

Many of these you don’t even need a bachelor’s degree for, just work experience.

Tips for changing career paths in your 30s:

If you want to start a new job in your 30s, you’ll need to consider how much “starting over you’ll be doing.”

Before you leave your current job, it’s a good idea to fun the finance numbers to make sure you are prepared for the salary differences or employment gap.

When you’re in your early 30s, this might be a little hard than if you were in your later 30s, but don’t let that stop you from making the leap!

If you have no transferable skills to your desired industry, you very might be starting over in an entry-level position, even if you have a bachelor’s degree.

You can improve your chances of getting hired by taking the time to research companies and roles that are a good match for your skills and experience.

Additionally, it’s important to network with professionals in your desired field. 

Don’t be surprised if you end up with a pay cut at first as you gain experience and career development in your new field.

And finally, don’t be discouraged if you don’t land your dream job right away. It may take some time to find the right fit, but it will be worth it in the end.

Is 30 Too Late To Change Careers?

At 30 years old, you have most likely already established your professional ambitions. Therefore, you can start to choose careers that suit your unique skills and interests. So if you are 30 years old and feeling like it’s time to start your career? You’re not alone. 

Many people reach a point where they feel like it’s time to buckle down and get serious about their professional lives. If you’re feeling this way, don’t worry-you’re making a great decision! 

There are a lot of great careers that are perfect for someone starting at 30 years old.

A midlife career change can also start as a side hustle. Consider starting to work on one of these career moves before leaving your job to help you prepare. You might not have much time to dedicate at first but it’s a great way to move yourself into a related field.

Why would you want to change careers in your 30s?

There are a lot of reason people want to change carers in their 30s but one of the biggest reasons is job satisfaction.

A study done by the Gallup organization found that only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged in their jobs. That means a whopping 87% of people are not enjoying going to their job every day. And only 1/3 of people actually enjoy their work.

If you’re someone who is not fulfilled by your current career, it’s definitely time to make a change. But how do you know what the best careers to start at 30 years old are? Here are some factors to consider:

  • What are your skills and strengths?
  • List your interests.
  • What is your ideal work/life balance?
  • Do you prefer a high-paying or prestigious job, or a more humble role that offers flexibility or less demanding hours?
  • Are you wanting to advance quickly in your career or take a more relaxed pace?
  • Do want new challenges?
  • What are you hoping to get out of your new role?
  • How open to learning new skills are you?
  • Would you need higher education?
  • What is the average salary you need to live your life?
  • What are your career goals?

All of these factors are important to consider when choosing the best careers to start at 30 years old.

In Summary: Best Careers To Start at 30 Years Old

There are many different careers to choose from if you’re looking to start your career at 30 years old. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, education, or technology, many different options are available.

You likely have transferable skills from your current career, so be sure to consider those too. You can also pursue informational interviews in fields that you are interested in.

Each field offers its own set of benefits and challenges. So it’s essential to consider your options before making a decision carefully. Ultimately, the best career for you is the one that best fits your interests and abilities. So if you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding career, then look no further than one of these three fields.

About the Author

The GenThirty Team is a collaborative team of writers and creatives behind GenThirty.com.