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4 Tips for Making a Midlife Career Switch


(Columbia, Missouri, June 16, 2022) – There are many times in our lives when change is necessary. It’s not always easy, but sometimes it is in our best interest to do something differently. For example, you can change what you eat, how much you exercise, where you live, who you spend time with, and even what you do for a living.



Whether you are retired—from the military, law enforcement, post office, health care, or any other career—or are just looking for something different, you may be considering making a midlife career change. The prospect of switching careers and trying something new may seem scary, but a study conducted by Indeed found that nearly 50% of all employees in the U.S. reported making a complete career change. Perhaps you want to make more of a difference with your work, have a better work-life balance, or feel more fulfilled by your job. Fear of the unknown shouldn’t hold you back from such an important life choice.


At OATS Transit, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for Missourians by providing safe, caring, and reliable transportation services. The majority of our driver jobs appeal to people who have retired or switched from other careers and are looking for a part-time or full-time job in a new career path. They also allow them to still be part of the communities they are accustomed to serving.


There are many different reasons for wanting to shift what you do for a living, but being prepared and knowing what to expect is essential no matter what career path you are pursuing. In this article, we’ll share the top 4 tips for making a midlife career switch.


1. Plan Ahead


Like most things in life, you don’t want to suddenly quit your job and change careers overnight. Instead, it’s important to plan ahead and do your research about a potential career switch. Research the type of work you’re looking to do and make sure you fully understand everything about it, including the responsibilities, how much you can expect to earn, how it will affect your lifestyle, what your commute will be like, and more.


2. Look for Something Meaningful


Another important tip when considering making a midlife career change is to look for something that is meaningful to you. One of the reasons you might be making a change in the first place is because you don’t feel fulfilled by what you currently do. Keep this in mind when you are deciding what field you think you might want to shift to.


For example, if making a difference in the world is important to you, then consider working for a nonprofit like OATS Transit that helps communities by improving the lives of the people in them. Our drivers build long-lasting connections with the people we serve and feel fulfilled by assisting those who need it.


3. Find Something That Fits Your Lifestyle


Another crucial tip for making a career change is to choose something that fits your lifestyle. The main point of a career change is for you to be happier, and that usually involves a better work/life balance. Research different careers you are interested in and envision what your work schedule would be like. Will you have enough free time outside of work? How much flexibility will there be?


At OATS, we offer full or part-time positions, allowing you to choose the position that best suits your schedule and lifestyle. We believe in a healthy work/life balance and make sure our drivers have time outside of work to do the things they enjoy.


4. Be Open To Learning New Things


The final tip for making a midlife career change is to be open to learning new things. Maybe your choice for a new career is something you’ve never considered before. Or maybe it’s something you’ve always been interested in, but don’t have very much experience with. Either way, you have to realize that you are starting something new, so being open and willing to learn new things will be a critical part of your success in your new role.


At OATS, we provide training to all of our new drivers as they learn their new responsibilities. We love answering questions and assisting you on your journey to becoming an essential part of our team, and we will always do whatever we can to help you succeed.



Make a Meaningful Midlife Career Switch By Working for OATS Transit


As mentioned earlier, our mission at OATS Transit is to enhance the quality of life for Missourians by providing safe, caring, and reliable transportation services. While these services are intended to benefit all of our riders, they also benefit our employees by allowing them to make a difference in the world, create personal connections with those around them, and even take on a variety of responsibilities that allow them to grow and develop. Our open positions present the perfect opportunity for individuals looking to make a midlife career change and have a positive impact on their community.


We also offer employees additional benefits like paid holidays, paid time off, benefit allowance, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, and more. If you’re interested in these benefits, consider applying to join our team today so you can start making a difference in the lives of other Missourians!


OATS Transit offers more than just transit services, we offer our riders the care and commitment of everyone in our organization. The individuals we serve are our top priority, and we are always doing everything we can to make a positive impact in their lives.


We’re a leading specialized transportation agency serving 87 of the 114 counties in Missouri with our fleet of more than 700 mini-buses and minivans. Missouri has a population of over 6 million people, with more than 2 million of them (37%) living in rural areas. We serve thousands of these Missourians, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, and people of any age who live in rural areas.


One of the biggest needs of rural America is reliable transportation. Many issues arise due to limited access to important services and resources. Reliable rural transportation is a key step to helping rural populations.


If you or someone you know needs help with transportation services, contact us today and we’ll help you get where you need to go safely, reliably, and with care! If you’d like to learn more about what we do, find out how to ride, make a donation to support our work, or apply for one of our available driving positions!


(photo: Driver Abel Arrellano)


“Enhancing quality of life by providing safe, caring & reliable transportation services.”


NonProfitMegaphone

written by Dom Lincoln

June 2022

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