Tips For Restarting Your Career After a Long Gap

Resuming your college education after a long gap is a tough decision. In light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, career breaks are more common now than ever. Though onceconsideredtaboo to have a significant gap in employment or education,it is a common and accepted occurrence today. Gaps in employment or education are usedfor various purposes, including strengtheningcompetencies, renewing energy, focusing on family, or gaining work experience. Whether a gap year or years is planned,jumping back on the ladder can be daunting but necessary for lifelong success and gratification.
Considering the anxiety that looms around significant life changes,this blogpost I hope will encourage you topursue a college educationto achieve your desired success and goals if a degree is a dream or a requirement based on your chosen profession. I will provide you with a few tips that I hope will reigniteyour career dreamswhile providing strategies for paying for college after a gap period, reducing debt, and building additional income streams while completing your college career.

Some Statistics About Career a Gap and Resuming Your Education

Millions of Americans had their careersand income stalled due to the unfortunate impact of the COVID -19 Pandemic. College students were equally impacted as they were forced toattend classes virtually. Due to the uncertainty of how class instruction will be delivered with the ongoing pandemic, there have been unprecedented drops in college enrollment around the United States. Students rightfully do not want to pay thousands of dollars to remain in their bedrooms or dorm rooms for class. The drop in enrollment is even more significant among underserved student populations concerning when considering the diversity, equity,and inclusion issues also present in the workforce. The U.S. News reported in May this year that 662,000 fewer students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the spring. A significant drop as compared to 2021. The undergraduate student body has dropped by 1.4 million students. Surprisinglycommunity colleges and four-year institutions combined- experienced the most significant decline in enrollment, with more than 604,000 students. Community colleges have experienced the most severe decline.

Experts are concerned that these enrolment declines could indicate trouble for future academic years, fearing that studentswould scrap their plans to earn a college degree. The decrease in enrollment in some cases is causing some colleges and universities tolose their admission requirements. This can make acceptance easier when returning to college after the gap. Many elite schools have suspended SAT/ACT testing requirements. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, undergraduate enrollments fell 2020 by 4.4 percent. This includes a 13% drop in incoming first-year students. There may never be a better time to return to college after.

Reasons To Change Careers and Create a Gap In Employment

People are changing careers leaping between different industries like never before. They are taking courageous leaps often to leave the workforce and become students. People are making this change in search of work-life balance, flexible scheduling, and more positive work cultures. As a nursing instructor, I have witnessed this first-hand. On average, 40% or more of our students aresecond-degreecandidates or turn to nurse school after other long-term careers. The age range in any class can be 18-61 years of age.

People want variety and opportunities and are willing to pivot even given a short-term decrease in salary or a gap in employment. A recent U.S. Chamber poll citedthat thirty-two percent of workers who lost their jobs during the pandemic and remain unemployed say they are looking for a different industry. If you seek to change careers or begin one after a gap, you will find that you are in good company.

Which career is projected to have the most jobs?

Coming back to the professional world after a long gap can be overwhelming. However, specific industries are projecting to grow and expand and promise to have the most jobs. So, if you are looking for a comeback in those industries, you are highly likely to be successful and get the proper designation and remuneration you deserve. According to a report shared by the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the top 20 sectors with the highest percentage of employment opportunities between 2020-2030 include the following.

Occupation - Growth Rate (2020-30)

Motion picture projectionists - 70%

Wind turbine service technicians - 68%

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers - 62%

Nurse practitioners - 52%

Solar photovoltaic installers - 52%

Cooks, restaurant - 49%

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes - 46%

Costume attendants - 44%

Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors - 39%

Model makers, wood - 39%

Athletes and sports competitors - 38%

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance - 37%

Occupational therapy assistants - 36%

Statisticians - 35%

Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other - 35%

Physical therapist assistants - 35%

Animal caretakers - 34%

Miscellaneous entertainers and performers, sports and related workers - 34%

Information security analysts - 33%

Film and video editors - 33%

Nursing each year has a wide range of growing career opportunities. With 52% growth opportunities, the nursing sector is one of the major attractions for people who want to make a pivot in their careers. Nursing offers various types of work, work hours, and income potential.

Tips for restarting your career after a long gap

If you are looking to re-enter the employment market after a long gapto build a career, approach your journey with a vision of the type of career that will support your future success, income, and needs for work-life balance.

Be prepared to provide an honest explanation in an interview for your gap in employment. Even if you have to say you needed time to mature, give a simple answer that shows the ability to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Believe it or not, most of us have been "young and dumb" with more than a few less-than-stellar moments.

Start Networking

While you are in the job search and taking steps to support your career, begin to network with other professionals. Positive relationships can effectively help you learn and grow professionally. They can help you keep your skills sharp and aware of current trends in your profession and opportunities as they arise. Professional associations, LinkedIn events, and service organizations are ways to meet new people and forge positive relationships.

Update your wardrobe

Although considered one of the most irrelevant parts of your preparation for restarting your career, upgrading your wardrobe is essential. People, especially employers, create an impression about you at first glance. Making yourself presentable is one of the many requirements you must never ignore. An updated wardrobe also helps in boosting your confidence.

Preparing for your interviews

When preparing for an interview, do your homework. Go to the company websiteand learn about the company culture, goals, current focus, and strategic plan. Write down five questions from this information you can ask in your interview. Read the biography of key leaders and look them up on LinkedIn to understand more about leadership and how you may fit in the organization. Be able to explain why you are applying for the job and what you can bring to the role. Search common interview questions and be prepared to answer them. Practice speaking standing up and walking with your phone may help you exude more energy and confidence. Most initial interviews are done by telephone or are virtual. It would help if you made an excellent first impression to get to the next level. Second and third interviews are often with the hiring manager and or the hiring manager and other employees you would possibly work with.

As a life and career coach, I have received queries about the kind of questions one might expect to be asked in an interview following a gap in employment and career.

• Why has no one hired you yet?

• What happened at your last job?

• What was your actual reason for taking a break?

• How well did you get along with your colleagues?

• Will your references tell the same story?

• What have you been doing during break time?

• Have you upgraded your skills, or what have you done to remain current in your profession?

• Why should I take a chance and hire you?

Suppose you are merely changing jobs. It would help if you still prepared yourself. Be ready to face some tough questions. Typical questions in an initial screening interview are:

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. What is your greatest strength?
3. What is your greatest weakness?
4. Why should we hire you?
5. What's something positive your boss would say about you?
6. What are your salary expectations?
7. Why are you leaving your current role?

How To Graduate From College Without A Mountain Of Debt

With all the discussion around student loan debt, it is no surprise that you may be concerned about the high cost ofearning a college degree. College costs are rising, and Federal Student, Financial Aid support, is not keeping up with these rising costs. College degrees correlate to higher earnings, but the prospect of lifetime debtis discouraging. It is imperative thatif you begin the journey to earn a college degree that you are diligent and intentional about graduating debt free. If you take out student loans, you must spend a significant portion ofyour future salaries on loan repayments instead of saving money, making investments, buying homes, and traveling. Student loan debt has consequences of bad credit ratings and high debt-to-income ratios that have a long-term negative impact on your financial future.

Graduate Debt Free

• Take advantage of employer tuition reimbursement programs.

• Consider going to school part-time so that you can pay as you go. It may take you longer to complete your degree, but you will be able to enjoy the fruit of your labor and income without debt.

• Apply for grants and scholarships.

• Attend a community college to complete your general education requirements at a lower cost. In 2019-2020 the average public school tuition was under $4,000. If you use employer reimbursement and pay your way, you could self-fund this degree without debt.

• Consider an online side hustle like affiliate marketing. A home business will provide tax advantages and, with some effort, 10-15 hours a week can result in a steady four to five-figure monthly income to pay for college. This is one of the benefits of the pandemic. The resources available to creatives have become plentiful and cost-effective.

Ask Dr. Melanie About Career Guidance

Being a reputed and committed life and career coach, I am available to help you with your career decisions. Feel free to leave a question in the comments, and I will be happy to help you establish a success plan to help you reach your goals. Learn to start earning commissions in 5 short days.