5 ways a weekend job can lead to a totally new career

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A Weekend Job Can Be A Useful Tool

Do you want to find a new career but don’t know where to start? Need to make a bit of money in the meantime? A great way to get started is by finding weekend jobs.

 

In this blog post, we will discuss the five ways weekend jobs can help you find a new career. We will also provide advice on how to find weekend jobs that are relevant to your career goals. Let’s get started!

Stepping Stones

As a professional career coach, I often explain to my clients that you shouldn’t assume you can make the leap straight into the perfect job in one step. Everyone should embrace the option of using a stepping stone strategy.

 

This is when you take a job that isn’t your dream job but is in the same field or industry. Or, it could be a job that uses some of the skills you hope to develop in your dream role. The key is that it’s a move in the right direction and gets you closer to where you want to be.

Many weekend jobs can serve as stepping stones. For example, if your dream is to be a writer, working as a weekend editor at a small local paper, or volunteer to help a charity’s publications, can give you a taste of what the job entails and help you develop relevant skills.

If you want to be an accountant, taking on bookkeeping work on the weekends can introduce you to basic accounting principles and help you grow your experience.

 

If you work in a retail store on the weekends, you may meet someone who works in the corporate office of the company and discover that you’re interested in that type of work.

 

Or, if you volunteer for a local nonprofit organization, you may meet someone who works in the development department and learn about fundraising as a potential career.

 

The list of examples goes on. You get the idea – a weekend job can also give you a chance to try out a new career before making a long-term commitment. If you’re having trouble getting your foot in the door of your desired field, using weekend jobs as a stepping stone can be powerful.

 

Let’s look more closely at the advantages of this approach.

1) Gain relevant experience

One way weekend jobs can help you find a new career is by providing experience in the field you are interested in. For example, if you are considering a career in marketing, working as a sales associate at a retail store on the weekends can give you some insight into the industry.

If you’re not sure what field you want to pursue, weekend jobs can also help you narrow down your options. How do you know if you’ll like an industry without experiencing it first? Weekend jobs can give you a chance to try out different fields and gain a better understanding of what each one entails.

Try to think carefully about what experiences you might need for your dream job, and look for weekend jobs that can give you those experiences.

If you’re not sure what field you want to pursue, weekend jobs can also help you narrow down your options.

2) Network to find other opportunities

Weekend jobs can also provide you with the opportunity to network. You never know who you might meet while working at your weekend job.

Perhaps you’ll meet someone who knows of an open position at their company that would be a perfect fit for you. Or, maybe you’ll meet someone who can provide you with some helpful advice and guidance as you search for a new career.

It’s well-researched that many jobs are found not online but through networking. So, get out there and start meeting new people!

3) Pick up skills

Weekend jobs can also help you gain relevant skills and knowledge. For example, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in web development, working as a weekend customer service representative for an online retailer can give you the chance to learn about the back-end operations of a website. This knowledge can be helpful when you’re ready to start applying for jobs in the field.

Use a weekend job to learn something new at the same time, and you’ll be one step ahead when you’re ready to make a career change. Even if you have to tolerate the job because you might need the money, you’ll feel much better about it if it also teaches you something.

4) Gain confidence

Weekend jobs can also help you build your confidence. If you’ve been out of the workforce for a while, or if you’re simply not confident in your abilities, working a weekend job can help build your confidence and give you the chance to practice your skills.

Once you feel more confident, you can start applying for jobs in your desired field. Confidence often suffers when people stay locked away out of fear, so weekend jobs can be a great way to ease your way back into the workforce.

You’ll also build confidence from knowing you have a separate long-term strategy from your working life. By using weekend jobs to test different potential paths while earning money, it will reassure you that you always have different options open you can always adapt to a situation.

5) Make new friends

Separate to networking for personal gain, making friends with people you might never have met otherwise is a great benefit. People from all walks of life work weekend jobs, so you’re bound to meet some interesting people.

Not only will you make some new friends, but you might also find yourself with a built-in support system. These friends can provide moral support as you search for a new career and can be a great resource if you ever need advice or assistance.

So there you have it – five ways that weekend jobs can help you find a new career. If you’re looking for a career change, don’t discount the potential of a weekend job.

Tips for finding a weekend job

– Check out local businesses in your area. Many of them are always looking for weekend help.

– Ask friends and family if they know of any weekend job openings.

– Use online job boards or websites to search for weekend jobs in your area and setup job alerts.

– Attend local job fairs and meet with employers about weekend positions.

– Stop by local businesses and inquire about weekend job openings in person.

– Check the job description to see if there are any special qualifications or requirements.

– Tailor your resume and cover letter to the weekend job you’re applying for.

– Highlight any relevant skills or experience you have in your resume and cover letter.

– Follow up with the employer after you’ve submitted your application.

– Consider part time work beyond just the weekend or other contract types.

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This article originally appeared on TribeandSeek.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

10 top career training programs

 

When it comes to getting a secure, well-paying job, it’s not always necessary to get a college degree first.

 

Some students may choose a career training program to learn the necessary skills for a specific job, often more quickly and for less money than a four-year college degree. These programs may also be referred to as career certificate programs, usually certifying the students to work in a particular role once the course is completed.

 

These programs can be completed after college, but many are designed to train people who haven’t attended college. Recent high school graduates or those who have attained their GED can often attend career training programs and get started on their careers after receiving their certificate.

 

Related: Building your career

 

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Two big factors in choosing to go through a career training program before or instead of going to college are time and money.

 

Career training programs typically can be completed in less time than it generally takes to complete an undergraduate degree. Some programs can be completed in as little as four months, a staggering difference from the four years it might take to earn a bachelor’s degree.

 

In addition to being shorter term, they’re also less expensive. On average, a career certificate program may cost around $100 per credit. The average cost of in-state tuition at a public two-year institution is $3,412, and at a public four-year institution the in-state tuition averages $9,308.

 

At Minnesota State University, certificate programs consist of nine to 30 credits, which can be completed in one year or less of full-time study. If these programs cost the average $100 per credit, they would cost between $900 and $3,000. This is fairly affordable compared to the cost of tuition at either a two-year or a four-year institution.

 

Another reason some people choose a career training program is that they need to, or would like to, start earning money relatively soon after graduating high school.

 

A career training program could be a more direct route to employment than getting an associate or bachelor’s degree for people who are sure about their career path. This could also be a beneficial route for students who want to save money to attend college later in life.

 

nilimage / istockphoto

 

The most important thing to look for when choosing a career training program, whether it’s in-person or an online career training program, is accreditation. Accreditation verifies that an institution is meeting a certain level of quality. Usually, a certificate will need to come from an accredited institution for it to be considered legitimate.

 

Accreditation is done by private agencies, and most programs or institutions will list accreditations on their website.

 

The most up-to-date accreditation information can be found in the database of postsecondary institutions and programs compiled by the U.S. Department of Education or with the specific accrediting agency’s website.

 

Once it’s clear that the potential programs are accredited, students can begin to narrow down which one will be best for them. This will be a highly personal choice, but there are a few factors worthy of attention, including cost, course length, and type of instruction (online vs. in-person).

 

Job search assistance — which might include resume writing workshops, job fairs or interview prep — is another element that may help set students up for success.

 

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In addition to career training programs having the potential to save students time and money, people want to know that they’ll be able to make a good living with those jobs.

 

Right now, these are the highest paying jobs for those opting to go through a career training program.

 

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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual income for a web designer is $73,760, with the educational requirements ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree. This job is growing faster than average, so it has a promising future.

 

 

Depositphotos

 

Paralegals and legal assistants make, on average, $51,740 per year. The required education for an entry-level job as a paralegal is a certificate or an associate degree. This job is also growing at a rate much faster than average, showing great potential for a long-term career.

 

 

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Solar panel installation is a growing field with decent pay and a lot of projected growth for the future. The median annual pay is $44,890, with only a high school degree or a certificate required to begin working.

 

 

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Training to become a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse typically takes only one year of full-time study, and the median annual salary is $47,480.

 

This job is growing faster than average and is in a field that will certainly always exist. This could be a good choice for someone who wants to be in the medical field without the time and financial commitment it takes to become a doctor.

 

 

istockphoto/digitalskillet

 

Working as a medical records technician usually only requires a certificate, and sometimes an associate degree. This job has a median annual pay of $42,630 and the potential to work from home.

 

 

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The median pay for a pharmacy technician is $33,950 per year. This job is growing at an average rate and typically requires on-the-job training or a formal training program, most of which last one year. Some longer pharmacy tech training programs culminate in an associate degree.

 

 

lucigerma / istockphoto

 

The role of a computer support specialist can vary widely, which means the educational requirements may, also. Some jobs in this field may require a bachelor’s degree, but others may only require an associate degree or a certificate. The median annual pay for a computer support specialist is $54,760, and the field is growing faster than average.

 

 

Deposit Photos

 

Professional certification, which can be gained after completing a phlebotomy training program, is the credential generally preferred by employers. This job has a median annual pay of $35,510 and it’s growing much faster than average.

 

 

Steve Debenport/istockphoto

 

Medical assistants have a median annual pay of $34,800, and the job only requires a certificate or on-the-job training. This job is growing much faster than average.

 

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

The median pay for this job is $52,910 per year and the only education required is a training certificate through a technical program. This job is growing at a rate much faster than average, which could make it a great choice for students who are ready to start their career shortly after graduating high school.

 

 

DepositPhotos.com

 

Just because career training programs are typically less expensive than college doesn’t mean they’ll be easy to pay for. Some programs last longer than others and will still end up costing a fair chunk of money.

 

One way to pay for a career training program is to save the amount of money needed before starting it. If the program is short or has a lower cost per unit, it may be possible to simply save up the necessary amount before beginning the course of study.

 

The program cost may be available on the school’s website or by calling the school. Paying in full with cash means no debt to worry about.

 

Another potential way to pay for a career training program is to apply for federal student financial aid, which may be available to students enrolled in eligible degree or certificate programs and who meet other eligibility requirements. Completing the Free Application for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  is the first step to applying for federal student financial aid. After submitting the FAFSA, students will find out if they’re eligible for federal student aid, which could include federal student loans and/or work-study.

 

Students who aren’t eligible for federal financial aid or students who can’t cover tuition costs without financial aid may want to look for scholarships. There may be fewer scholarships available for certificate programs than there are for degree programs, but they’re out there!

 

The best place to start looking for scholarships is with the school the student is attending. Some schools set up their own scholarships. Alternatively, students can search for scholarships offered by professional organizations in their related fields.

 

A private student loan may be another option to cover the cost of a career training program. Loan terms will vary from lender to lender and applicants are encouraged to understand the terms of the loan before accepting one. Students should exhaust all federal student aid options before considering private student loans.

 

designer491/shutterstock

 

Students can be under a lot of pressure to go right into a four-year college or university after graduating high school, but career training programs provide an alternative that can also set students up for success, typically in less time and for less money.

 

Learn more:

This article
originally appeared on 
SoFi.com and was
syndicated by
MediaFeed.org.

 

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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility for more information. To view payment examples, click here undergraduate student loans rates. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change. SoFi Lending Corp. and its lending products are not endorsed by or directly affiliated with any college or university unless otherwise disclosed.
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