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What if you could reinvent your entire career in less than a year?

It’s possible to complete certificate programs in very competitive fields in 40 to 61 weeks or less. And, you may even be able to complete some associate’s degree programs in 75 to 80 weeks. These career paths allow you to start a new career with great opportunities for you.

Ready for a new beginning? Keep reading to learn how to transition to a new career starting today!

Who Should Start A New Career?

Deciding to start a new career is a major move. And one of the reasons that so many people hesitate to make this move is because they are asking a simple question: who should try to transition to a new career?

The short answer is that anyone who is unhappy and unfulfilled in their current career should consider starting a new one. Maybe you are fresh out of high school and hesitant to enroll in a four-year college program. Or maybe you’re someone who has been at your job for a while and not feeling satisfied, and you believe you need higher pay and better opportunities.

Why spend another minute toiling at a job you hate when you have the chance to explore the kind of career you’ve always dreamed of?

Benefits of Starting A Second Career

Part of why starting a new career seems scary is because you may already have a career in place. Before putting aside your old career, it’s a good idea to explore the benefits of starting a second career.

Perhaps the best reason to begin a new career is getting a better salary. In the past decade, many workers have discovered that it is easier to get a bigger paycheck by switching to a new job, either in the same field or a related one, rather than getting raises and promotions at their current job. Beginning a new career is the easiest way for you to finally get paid what your labor is worth.

While it’s less tangible than a paycheck, another benefit of beginning a new career is that it can provide a new sense of purpose. When you have worked in your old career long enough, it’s easy to feel burned out and like you’re just going through the motions. But starting a new career (especially in a field you’ve always dreamed of) can bring that sense of purpose back to you.

On a related note, starting a new career gives you an opportunity to discover a healthier work environment. Suppose you are unsatisfied with your current job because of toxic coworkers or a shortsighted manager. In that case, a new career provides a great chance to work in a healthy, productive environment alongside employees and managers who value your contributions.

The Need for Training

Ask yourself: what is keeping you from starting your dream career? While there are many potential factors (including existing work obligations and family obligations), the biggest hurdle for most people is that they don’t have the education or training required for certain jobs.

And it’s not always easy to get the education and training you need for specific careers. For example, someone returning to school full-time for a four-year degree may find themselves functionally putting their life on hold for several years just to get the degree they need and get their new career started.

That’s why InterCoast Colleges is proud to offer a variety of certificate programs, most of which can be completed in as little as 32 weeks to approximately 61 weeks.  It’s easy to balance classes and your existing schedule (more on this later), and you can complete your certificate program in less than a quarter of the time it would take to start working toward earning a bachelor’s degree.

What Programs Are Available?

When you go to school to take courses and start a new career, these programs need to be competitive. Otherwise, the training and education may not be that useful to you when you try to find a new job. With that in mind, what kinds of programs are available through InterCoast?

InterCoast has three Associates in Applied Science degrees available in highly competitive areas. This includes associate’s degrees in Business Administration, Cyber Security, and Substance Use Disorder Counseling. These are growing fields, and completing the degree program will put you in an excellent position to begin your new vocational journey.

And InterCoast offers many more certificate programs. This includes programs focusing on the medical field (such as medical assistant and pharmacy technician), mental health (such as mental health rehabilitation technicians and alcohol and drug counseling studies). There are even trade programs in electrical and HVAC technician training, business office administration, and computerized accounting. 

Easy Online Application

As we said before, one of the biggest hurdles to starting a new career for most people is finding the time. Fortunately, when it comes to signing up for the classes you need, the first step is completing an online application.  Just like other colleges, online applications are easy to complete.  You will likely have all the information you need at your fingertips to complete the online application!

It only takes a few minutes to enter your personal information and contact information and the program you are interested in attending, and which location you’d like to attend.

The physical InterCoast campuses are all located in California. But if you are in California but are a distance away from campus and don’t have time for a commute to school, you can easily take classes online.  Once your information is submitted, you will receive a phone call or email from an admissions representative who will share information about the programs, including curriculum content, length, and cost. You will receive information about the student support services available to students, such as financial aid (if qualified), tutoring, and job placement assistance after graduation.

Do I Have To Quit My Job To Start?

This may sound obvious, but if you’re starting a new career, that means you may already have a job, and you are trying to transition to a new career. And here is one of the most common questions prospective students have before starting: Do you have to quit your current job to get started?

The short answer is “no.” InterCoast offers courses in the morning, afternoon, evening, and even weekend, depending on the location and program. If you plan to take classes on one of the convenient local campuses, admissions representatives can help create a schedule that doesn’t disrupt your current work schedule.

And as we mentioned above, you can also take many classes entirely online, depending on the program of study.  Many programs are available in the hybrid format, which means you will attend classes online and participate in lab activities one to two times weekly. You’ll get the same degree or certificate from online courses as on-campus ones, but online courses give you the chance to work at your own pace. In addition to helping you work around your current schedule, these online classes are also convenient for those who have family and work obligations and need flexibility in their schedules. 

The Benefits of Trade School vs. A Traditional College Education

InterCoast Colleges are proud to be a trade and vocational school. However, some students hesitate to enroll because they don’t understand the benefits of these programs. In reality, a trade and vocational school offers many benefits that a traditional college education may not be able to match.

We already touched on one of the biggest benefits: most traditional four-year university degrees are designed to be completed in four years. That may not seem like a big deal when you are fresh out of high school.

But when you have an existing career and perhaps a family, it is difficult to put so much of your life on hold for four years. Fortunately, completing a certificate program within 32 to 61 weeks, depending on the program of study, can be doable for many people who don’t have the time for a more extended program and want to transition quickly to a new career.

And traditional colleges offer many degrees that may require advanced studies. For example, a degree in English is excellent if you intend to be a teacher.  But, you will be required to enter into a credential program and participate in student teaching for a semester or more before you can teach.  Or, you may be required to obtain a Master’s degree to teach. InterCoast College doesn’t prepare for teaching positions. Still, with an InterCoast certificate in fields like Business Office Administration, you will have the skills necessary for entry-level employment in the field.  Or take the certificate program in Alcohol and Drug Counseling Studies. After completing the program, including the clinical internship, you will have the education required to work as an entry-level counselor in a treatment center in California.  And, you can complete that certificate program in 50-61 weeks!

Technical Skills and Soft Skills

When most people think of trade and vocational schools, they think about learning technical skills. And it’s true: InterCoast degrees and certificates provide the level of technical knowledge that will help you be prepared in the field of study you are pursuing.

However, one thing that is equally valuable to would-be employers is your understanding of “soft skills.” This general term includes valuable skills like teamwork, networking, conflict resolution, time management, and creativity.  You will work on these skills while at InterCoast.

These kinds of skills aren’t found in a textbook or online tutorial. But you learn these skills by working alongside your fellow students and InterCoast professionals towards a shared goal.

By the time you complete the program, you won’t just have the technical knowledge to succeed. You will also have learned critical soft skills that pave the way for management and other opportunities in your new career.

Your Next Move

Now you know how to start a new career in less than 50 weeks. And your next move is to take the classes you need from InterCoast College.

If you have questions about classes, scheduling, tutoring services for students, applying for financial aid (available to students who qualify), and more, don’t hesitate to ask. All you have to do is contact us today!