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

[Nodaclu]

You said you are almost done with a psych degree? Thought about a focus on industrial organization? That goes along well with experience in HR. Could become a consultant for organizations and tell them how to run their HR. I know it doesn't exactly get you out of HR work, but you could have more "power" over businesses.
Just a thought.

I've given some thought to I/O Psych, but as I've researched jobs, nearly all of them seem to be on the east coast. I couldn't find a single position west of the Rockies - and I'm in CA.

It may have just been where I was looking (SIOP.com) but that limitation has given me some pause regarding that direction. Otherwise, it would definitely hold some interest.

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I think you've pigeonholed yourself into what you consider HR - but there are so many different areas of it.  I worked as a Compensation Manager and loved it.  But I've also worked in Benefits, and was super annoyed by it.  I think it just depends on what type of company you work in, and what you actually do.  I've been happy at smaller companies where I did all kinds of different things, and at big companies where I could focus on one main thing.

I think you should look at other areas within HR.

You're absolutely right.

I think I'm a little frustrated because California has gone absolutely degree and certification crazy in recent years.

For example - I like Comp & Benefits quite a bit (either combined or individually). 

I've tried for months to land an entry level position in either area (which would constitute about a $10/hr pay cut, but that's okay if it could get me more aligned with what I like. Problem is, even for entry level positions, employers are demanding (a) a Bachelors Degree, and only in Business, HR or Finance, and (b) particularly for Comp jobs - a certification - even for entry level (CCP for Comp, usually CEBS for Benefits).

It's been made clear to me by Recruiters that my 5 years of experience in each means nothing without the degree and certs.

So I've admittedly gotten a bit fed up with the whole thing. Combine that with the fact that Comp & Benefits jobs rarely seem to come up in my area (Sacramento - not a small city by any means), and it's left me feeling very pigeon-holed.

But I'm still keeping an eye out for those positions, and once I finish the BA, I'll have some decisions to make.

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I know several people that transitioned from other careers into healthcare admin. Two that stand out are a ~55 year old lady that had worked as a middle school English teacher and a ~40 year old gentleman that was previously in car sales.
If you’re interested in that world and the IT end, the two certs you can apply and test for without prior experience or specific education programs that I would suggest looking into:
1. CAHIMS through HIMSS
2. CPHQ through NAHQ

Both would require a couple months of dedicated self study if you are going in without the classroom background. Most other certs seem to require a prescribed amount of industry experience.

I'll look into this, thank you!  

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@nodaclu - I am the broken record always talking about networking, but at least I'm predictable.   How is your LinkedIn profile?  Do you have any friends or even long-lost colleagues you can reach out to on LinkedIn?  People that you've worked with who know you professionally and who might have some suggestions.  At the stage in your career you're at, ideally you should have at least a small network built up.  

Also what about looking at companies that you'd want to work for and see what types of jobs are available?  The reason I'm asking is that I don't think you need to wait to apply.   With the above suggestions in mind, you could just get online and view job descriptions and just apply!  This wouldn't work with IT, but in many fields, you don't need specific certificates.    As long as you're savvy enough to write a resume that highlights how your skills match the job you're applying for, it could work.  

But back to networking... The easiest way to a new job is usually through people you know, not a master's degree.   Hiring managers usually look at experience first, education second... at least in any position I've ever held.   Therefore I really think your best bet is to see where you have a closest match.    Absolutely go for the master's degree, but I would think that a master's could help you reach for higher/better jobs, but not sure about a new field unless it is something specific like IT.   I would try as hard as you can to find something different now and then use your education to move up.

I just took a look at my LinkedIn profile, and I have 239 connections, which seems huge to me, but I know in reality is quite small. I've reached out to about two dozen people over the past year, but nothing has come of it. I'm an extreme introvert. I'd rather go to the Dentist than to a Mixer. 

The biggest challenge that I've had is, in California at least, that I'm consistently hearing from people who make hiring decisions that the opposite is true - that education trumps experience. I've challenged them on this, and have been, clearly and bluntly, by multiple recruiters, told that their company prefers to hire someone with 1 year of experience and a relevant degree, over someone with 12 years of relevant experience, and no degree (what I couldn't get them to say, but was quite obvious, is that hiring in this way is actually cheaper. HR Generalist positions in my area are actually pay LESS now than they were 10 years ago.)

I'm not sure if it's spillover mentality from the Silicon Valley and their hiring practices, (I'm only about 100 miles away, and in the largest market that's right outside of the SF Bay Area.) But it's left me angry, confused, frustrated and frankly, ready to give up.

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Your Bachelors will be in Psychology, do you have an interest in that area?. I received an MSW at 44, and didn't have trouble finding work. Currently working on getting my Clinical Social Work license.

Yes!! Very much so. I'm already a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and would really like to get my Masters and become an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). 

My holdups there are (1) CA was the last state in the country to recognize the LPC, so there are very few of them here, which affects the second item. (2) the 3,000 hour internship program. I've struggled to see how I could complete that requirement in a timely manner with so few LPC's in the state, and I also can't figure out how I'd support myself in the interim.

But if I could somehow figure out that pathway, I'd be all for it. 

EDIT: Just realized that one of my mentors is an MSW! She's a successful Hypnotherapist today (and she just completed a coding bootcamp - she's a unique and awesome lady), and she might have some ideas for helping me navigate this path. I need to reach out to her.