Ask Vicki: How can I change careers without going back to school?

Each week, Monster’s career expert Vicki Salemi—a former recruiter who utilizes 15-plus years of experience in recruiting and human resources to empower job seekers—answers user questions on Quora. We’ll be republishing the answers here. If you have a question for Vicki, send it to socialmedia@monster.com.

Q. How can I change careers without going back to school?

A. Such a great question, since you don’t always have to go back to school to make a career change! There are several things you can do instead.

If you’re thinking of going back to school to earn another degree, know that you can learn a lot (and save plenty of time and money) by taking a few online classes or by earning a certificate through an accredited program. You can also educate yourself by attending industry conferences and online webinars, and reading up on the latest developments in the field.

Another way to get on the career-change track without returning to school is through volunteering. It can help you gain priceless experience and expand your network.

Schedule informational interviews with people in your network who are doing what you want to be doing. Don’t know anyone? Reach out to your alma mater to see if they can help you connect with alumni that are in the field you’re interested in exploring.

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Read Vicki Salemi's answer to "How can I change careers without going back to school?" on Quora.