“I Need a Career Change”: Tips to Help Transition Into a New Career in Healthcare

Key Insights:

• Switching to a new career can feel scary, but it’s possible. Plus, the skills you’ve built during your work history may transfer to the healthcare field.
• Remembering the reasons behind a career switch that are beyond yourself may help you take the next step. Finding support and letting go of self-doubt can be beneficial, too.
• If you’re not sure how to make the transition, or even whether it’s the right time, Ultimate Medical Academy’s team members are here to talk about your options.

If you find yourself saying, “I need a career change,” you aren’t alone. Some Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) learners have told us that they enrolled in our allied healthcare degree programs because they wanted a new career, too. Colton N. is a prime example.

Colton’s Story: From Food Service to the Healthcare Field

“I've been in the restaurant industry for 15 years,” Colton says in this student testimonial, but wanted a career that made him happy. After being diagnosed with cancer, he decided that he wanted to do the same type of work as his mom, who is a pharmacy tech. “Just learning all the concepts of the medicines and how to compound them and everything like that is really what got me like, ‘Okay, this is what I want to do,’” he says.

Colton admits that the road wasn’t always easy. “Life got in the way of it,” he says, about his experience in pursuing a new career in this field. But he persevered and, in 2026, he graduated from UMA’s Health Sciences – Pharmacy Technician Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program.

Colton’s story shows that with effort and determination, you can prepare for a new career that you feel could make you happy, too. Plus, you may have developed skills in your previous or current jobs that could help you in the healthcare field.

Which Job Skills Can Transfer Into Healthcare?

One skill that research published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion calls “vital in healthcare” is empathy, because it can influence patient care quality and outcomes.¹ Empathy involves the ability to understand another person’s point of view. It enables you to see the situation through their eyes, giving you insight into how they may feel or experience the world at that moment in time.

Other skills that can be beneficial when working in healthcare roles include:

• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Customer service
• Time management
• Patience
• Positive attitude

5 Tips to Help You Transition Into a Career in Healthcare

If you want to go from “I need to make a career change” to “I have finally taken steps to pursue a new career,” these tips can help.

#1: Look beyond yourself

It may be easy to talk yourself out of switching career paths if you’re only considering how this could impact you, but it can sometimes be harder to overlook the effect that this decision could have on others in your life. “I got two kids that look up to me,” Colton says, “so I have to be the one to set that example... If they can see me do it at 36 years old, then they'll be able to do anything they want to do.”

#2: Find your cheerleaders

Pursuing a different career can feel like an uphill climb, but you don’t have to do it alone. Ask family members and friends to motivate and encourage you along the way. If you’re taking courses or career training to learn the skills needed, the institution’s student service teams may be another source of academic and career support.

#3: Take it one step at a time

If the idea of changing jobs or career fields is overwhelming, you don’t have to make that decision today. What you can do, though, is use this time to research potential career options. This helps you gather the information you need if you decide to make the transition in the future.

#4: Let go of self-doubt

Yes, going back to school as an adult can be a challenge. Yes, it may take some adjustment when figuring out how to manage home, work, and school. Don’t let this stop you from pursuing your career goals. “You're the only one who can hold yourself back,” says Colton. “If there's an opportunity knocking at the door, open that door.”

#5: Gain the skills needed to make the switch

If one of the reasons you’ve not made a career change despite wanting to is because you feel unprepared to fill a healthcare role, remember that you can gain the skills needed to make the switch. Healthcare career training can provide the education and skills required for future job duties.

UMA Is Here to Help You Transition Into a Career in Healthcare

At Ultimate Medical Academy, we understand that making a career change is a major life decision. And it’s a decision that can affect not only you, but also your family, making it important to understand your options before taking the next step.

If you want help deciding whether switching careers could be right for you, or if now is the right time based on your situation, reach out to us. Let’s talk about your concerns, challenges, and career goals. We can also discuss resources that may be available, student and career services that can help, and answer questions you may have.

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to help you pursue a career in healthcare, no matter where you are in your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transitioning Into a Career in Healthcare