Photo by Emma Matthews
Updated May 2020
We all face professional crossroads throughout our lives. Starting fresh can be exhilarating, scary, and an amazing opportunity all-in-one!
Whether preparing to enter the workforce for the first time; returning to work after extended medical or family leave; undergoing a mid-career transition; or just looking for a new professional challenge somewhere along the line – at some point we may find ourselves wondering “What should I do now? What’s next for me?”
When you come to a crossroad, it’s important to choose a direction and keep moving. (Stand still too long and you just might get run over!) Go ahead – make a choice and explore the options. If you don’t like the path, go back and choose another direction – because you can!
You may not have the definitive answer right away as to what you will become or where you will go, but you do have resources and options to help guide your next steps forward.
Looking for Free Educational Resources?
Alison
Offers free online personal development courses designed to help you become more effective and organized so you can have a more balanced work and home life.
Coursera
In partnership with universities, museums, and organizations around the world, Coursera offers some free online education (in addition to their paid programs), with access to a wide array of topics.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)
Check with your local Library for free access to this resource (usually a paid subscription service). Providing over 13,000 expert-led, online courses and video tutorials in various fields and topics (including programs to build business skills and knowledge).
Udemy
With their mission to improve lives through learning, Udemy offers a collection of free personal and professional online courses (in addition to their paid programs) to help build new skills and new careers.
Wondering Which Career Suits You?
The US Department of Labor’s website https://www.mynextmove.org/ allows you to:
- Describe your dream career and see what comes up for you!
- Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to match your interests to types of work for which you might be a good fit.
- Explore over 900 career options by industry (includes education, salary, personality fit, technology use, etc.).
- Learn which jobs and fields are growing and which are disappearing.
Interested in Apprenticeships?
- Discover https://www.apprenticeship.gov/apprenticeship-finder
- Apprenticeship Sponsor Finder: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-apprenticeships.aspx
- Read Earn and Learn: 10 Great Jobs That Start With an Apprenticeship
Are You a Veteran?
- If you would like to find a civilian career similar to your military job, check out: https://www.mynextmove.org/vets/
- Visit U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Government-wide Veterans Employment Website: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/
- Take a look at Silent Professionals. Founded by a combat veteran, this company provides a job board and free services to help match veterans looking for work with recruiters looking to hire their unique skill sets for a range of positions.
Want an MBA?
There are many different types of MBA programs. OnlineMBA.com provides comprehensive resources, guides, and up-to-date information to help find the best MBA program to fit your needs. To learn more, take a look at their guides for:
- Most Affordable Programs – https://www.onlinemba.com/rankings/affordable-online-mba/
- Non-GMAT Programs – https://www.onlinemba.com/rankings/no-gmat-online-mba-programs/
- Accelerated Programs – https://www.onlinemba.com/rankings/accelerated-online-mba/
- Programs Overview – https://www.onlinemba.com/rankings/
- MBA Programs Resources – https://www.onlinemba.com/resources/
* DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this site is targeted to a U.S. audience. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and should not be construed as providing legal or tax advice, nor as an endorsement for any particular business, organization, or institution.
Author: Julie Ramdial, President of U Learn Enterprises, Inc.
