For those of you who have completely switched career fields...

[rixbae]

That's great you have an MSW connection, MSW are about the same length of time give or take. The Internship for either degree should only be 1000/hours. The 3000 is post-graduate, which you can get working for an agency. Also I think CA is one of the few states that doesn't require an APA Doctoral degree to become a Licensed Psychologist, so schools like California Southern University would work for that https://www.calsouthern.edu Good Luck!

[Nodaclu]

That's great you have an MSW connection, MSW are about the same length of time give or take. The Internship for either degree should only be 1000/hours. The 3000 is post-graduate, which you can get working for an agency. Also I think CA is one of the few states that doesn't require an APA Doctoral degree to become a Licensed Psychologist, so schools like California Southern University would work for that https://www.calsouthern.edu Good Luck!

Oooh....I didn't know either of those things. Thank you for that! 

[rixbae]

No problem I am interested in hypnotherapy too, when I have the time there's a 6 day training in heart centered hypnotherapy I want to take. I think it would be a good compliment to what I do now and after I get licensed.

[davewill]

If I were to try it, I'd look for some sort of tie-in to my former experience. Like if I was to go from software dev to counseling, I'd try to find work with a software company where my prior knowledge would be seen as a plus. Maybe an online counseling company or something.

[jamshid666]

For those of you who have completely switched career fields (especially later on in your work life)......how did you do it?

Hello Nodaclu,

You aren't alone.  Tens of thousands of people retire from the military every year, most in their early to mid 40's, and they successfully transition to a second career without any issue.  For your case, switching from HR to IT is not only easy, I would consider it an advantage to hire you as you already have an understanding of the business side of business.  Quite often there are tensions between IT and business people because they don't always speak the same language.  You would be able to bridge that gap, making you a valuable member of a team.

[Nodaclu]

For those of you who have completely switched career fields (especially later on in your work life)......how did you do it?

Hello Nodaclu,

You aren't alone.  Tens of thousands of people retire from the military every year, most in their early to mid 40's, and they successfully transition to a second career without any issue.  For your case, switching from HR to IT is not only easy, I would consider it an advantage to hire you as you already have an understanding of the business side of business.  Quite often there are tensions between IT and business people because they don't always speak the same language.  You would be able to bridge that gap, making you a valuable member of a team.

Thank you for that! It gives me some hope.