The way to change careers in your 30’s is to just start gaining momentum.

That’s what I did.

I was working as an educator with no experience in the private sector, little knowledge about tech, business acumen, startup life, product, sales, or marketing.

But I was able to pole-vault out to work for a company I loved, a few days before turning 32.

How did I do it, how did I change careers in my 30’s? Well I can talk about the nuts and bolts, but what mattered most was the choice and the conviction, the determination and the desire. All mixed in with daily action and momentum.

Related: How to Change Careers with No Experience

Is it Too Late to Change Careers in Your 30’s?

It may seem like you it’s “too late” to make that switch to a new career. But that’s just a story in your head! Yes, it could mean waking up early to learn a new skill or investing your weekends to research new opportunities, but all of it is doable.

The reality is you only get One Life….so if your soul is telling you to make that shift, then listen to your soul!

You want to live regret-free.

For me, I started building portfolio projects like a blog and a podcast to increase my signal, as well as taking a course, and setting up meetings with people working in startups or entrepreneurship, to build that new social ecosystem. (Ken Coleman refers to this as the Proximity Principle). Eventually, I pitched my way into a new role by offering to work for free, and creating a value proposition.

But enough about me. I just wanted to share with you that it’s possible to change careers in your 30’s!

What might that career re-launch look like for you?

Gain New Skills to Change Careers in Your 30’s

While soft skills like growth mindset and communication are essential to break into a new career in your 30’s (or any age), it’s of course key to hone hard skills.

But you don’t need a degree to do that. In the digital age, it’s easier than ever to self-direct your learning.

You can dive into YouTube videos and tutorials (documenting your work along the way) to build your skills and portfolio.

But for a more guided experience, there are many bootcamps to support you in jumpstarting you to change careers, even if you’re in your 30’s with 3 kids and a mortgage!

Our friends at Springboard offer several career launch programs that are at your own pace, flexible to your own learning schedule, so you can work around your current responsibilities:

Cybersecurity
In this in-demand field, do projects with real-world scenarios to build your portfolio and get Security+ certified in just 6 months. Learn more.

Software Engineering (SWE)
Go from beginner to web-developer in 11 months, part-time. 93% of Springboard SWE job-qualified individuals receive a job offer within 6 months. Learn more.

UX/UI
Explore all the stages of the UI/UX design process, from design thinking to ideating, sketching and more. Learn more.

Sales
Within 3 months, get trained to break into tech sales, then land a job! The average entry-level total compensation is between $55K and $80K. Learn more.

(Use code CAREERHACKERSSB for $500 off tuition for any Springboard bootcamp. Springboard bootcamps are backed by a job guarantee).

Seize the Day to Change Careers in Your 30’s

When you’re in your 30’s, you’re still pretty young, which is cool. But you’ve grown enough where if you don’t take advantage of this decade, you could feel regret later.

Celebrated blogger/author Mark Manson gathered hundreds of pieces of advice from his post-40 readers, asking what they would say to their 30-year old self. One reader wrote,

“I am about to turn 41 and would tell my 30-year-old self that you do not have to conform your life to an ideal that you do not believe in. Live your life, don’t let it live you. Don’t be afraid of tearing it all down if you have to, you have the power to build it all back up again.”

Spot on! You’re never too old to turn things around. Prevent the mid-life crisis!. ; ) Go for what you want.

If you’re feeling dead inside about your current career, have the courage to start over again! (And remember, your skills are more transferable than you think).