r/careerchange

It will be helpful if you tell us your industry and age so everyone can know the truth.

I got gaslit by the internet cuz it told me it would only take a few hours to update my resume. Welp, here I am, [number redacted] mont...er, days later, I mean, and I'm finally done.

Grr. Arggh.

But it does look good, I've vetted it, and I'm pleased with the final product. Woot.

**Title: 37, looking for a new career without a degree—what paths am I overlooking?**

I’m 37 and looking to change careers in the Las Vegas area. I have a high school diploma and about eight years of experience working in an adult day program/direct support role.

My experience includes client communication, documentation, scheduling, mileage records, driving a company van, and handling problems throughout the day. I also have some medical-record retrieval phone experience.

I can stand and walk, but I have foot issues, so warehouse work with long shifts on concrete, heavy lifting, and mandatory overtime probably isn’t a good fit. I’m open to work that involves some movement—it doesn’t have to be entirely seated.

Ideally, I’d like full-time daytime work, preferably Monday–Friday. I previously made $27/hour. I understand I might need to start lower when changing fields, but I’m looking for a realistic path back toward that pay or higher.

I’ve considered customer service, office/admin work, medical records, and getting a CDL. What other careers should I look into? I’m open to paid training, certifications, or a shorter program if it leads to actual opportunities. I’d prefer guaranteed hourly/base pay over commission-only sales.

For anyone who changed careers in their 30s without a degree: what job got your foot in the door, what did you start at, and where did it lead? Specific entry-level job titles would really help.

I’m at a point where I feel pretty lost career-wise and could really use some outside perspective.

I’m a veteran with a B.S. in Medicinal Plant Chemistry and an M.S. in Biochemistry. Most of my experience has been in analytical chemistry and pharmaceutical research, including LC-MS, HPLC, GC-MS, peptide synthesis, assay development, and other lab-based work. I also have prior experience working in cleared environments and have a current security clearance being upgraded to TS currently, so defense/government contracting is something I could potentially pursue again.

I originally started a PhD program but ended up leaving with my master’s. I know for sure that I do not want to go back for a PhD. I’m burned out on traditional bench science and I’m struggling with the idea of continuing down a career path that I’m no longer excited about.

The big opportunity I have right now is through VA Veteran Readiness & Employment (VR&E). I may be able to have additional school, training, or professional certifications paid for, which puts me in a position where I could make a fairly significant career pivot without taking on a bunch of debt. Its similar to the GI Bill and they will pay for certifications/ another degree.

The problem is that I honestly don’t know what direction makes the most sense.

Some of the paths I’ve been considering are data science, Python/SQL and machine learning, bioinformatics, project/program management, patent/IP work and possibly taking the USPTO Patent Bar, cybersecurity or other cleared technical roles, technical sales, or something else entirely that would make use of my science and military background.

My main goals at this point are strong earning potential, career stability, upward mobility, and ideally the ability to work remotely or hybrid at least part of the time. I’d like to eventually be well into the six figures, but I also don’t want to blindly chase money into another career that burns me out.

I feel like I’ve spent years building credentials and experience, but somehow I’m still stuck trying to figure out what I actually want to do with them. I also don’t want to waste the VR&E opportunity by choosing a random degree or certification just because it’s available.

If you were in my position, what direction would you seriously consider? Are there career paths I’m overlooking where a science master’s, military background, and clearance experience would actually be a strong combination?

I’d especially appreciate hearing from anyone who left bench science, used VR&E to retrain, moved into a cleared career, transitioned into data/tech, patent work, project management, or found another path that ended up being a much better fit.

And to add Ive applied to hundreds of jobs over the last year and can only seem to find bottom teir bench analytical chemistry jobs.

Located in DMV area but willing to relocate for the right job.

Located in the heart of Dallas, Texas and looking to change careers as public education is just not viable for my mental health or bank balance.

Main problem is all i have is teaching experience, high school and college coaching experience, and a degree in history.

Dallas is full of jobs, where I am now finance especially, but what are some basic steps or options i may have to move on? I will fully sell out to corpo life if it means a viable future. Thanks!