4 Steps to Take When Looking to Successfully Change Careers

a dental assistant, dentist, and female patient smiling during a typical checkup

The decision to change careers is different for everyone. While some will spend their entire life working in the same field or even at the same company, others often find that their passions take them in a different direction. This desire to shift toward a new opportunity comes with hard work and dedication; however, there are ways to do it successfully. If you are considering enrolling in a dental assistant program and making the switch to pursuing a career in dentistry, here are 4 ways you can do it and start enjoying your chosen vocational path.    

Determine How Satisfied You Currently Are

As you evaluate your current job situation, determine how happy or satisfied you are in what you’re doing. If the money, time off, benefits, or responsibilities are not matching what you had envisioned at this stage in your life, maybe it’s time to consider an alternative path. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a switch in your chosen career, but it is important that you are mindful of what you want and don’t want, so you don’t fall into the same trap again when pursuing a different field.

Build Your Network

When identifying the type of career you wish to pursue, one of the first things you can do is connect with professionals who are currently working in the field. If you know individuals who are dental assistants, talk to them about their job duties and responsibilities. Asking to conduct an informational interview with a friend, members of your college alumni career network or even your local dentist’s office staff can help you better identify if working as a dental assistant is something you might enjoy.

Pursue the Opportunity to Shadow a Professional

One step up from networking is to inquire about job shadowing. This allows you to observe someone working in the field. Watching a dental assistant perform daily job functions will allow you greater insight into the day-to-day operations, helping you to see a clearer, more well-rounded view of what is required from this type of individual. If you’re unsure where to look for a job shadowing opportunity, ask a professor in one of your dental assistant classes for assistance.

Take a Class or Enroll in a Program

There are many dental assistant courses available for you to choose from, but when taking this next step, make sure you choose a program that is designed to prepare you for working within a dental office. Knowing textbook information is important, but you should also receive ample hands-on training, career assistance, and learn from individuals who have experience in the field. This will ensure you have the knowledge, preparation, and skillsets to be effective in your position as a dental assistant.

People successfully switch careers all the time, so why can’t you? Guess what? You can! By following these steps and reaching out to others who have already done it, you will be well on your way to enjoying a new life and a new career.

About Dental Assistant Pro
For more than 25 years, Dental Assistant Pro has been providing aspiring dental assistants with essential knowledge and hands-on skills learning. Our philosophy is the best dental assisting training should be taught in a dental office at an affordable cost, so why not take a chance and enroll in our 10-week course schedule? It’s now more affordable than ever to become a dental assistant! To learn more about us, visit our website or call (614) 202-3919.

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Reviews From Our Students

Kenzie Clark
Kenzie Clark
13. August, 2022.
Great experience!!
kaitlyn mcgarvey
kaitlyn mcgarvey
13. August, 2022.
Quick easy way to get a dental assistant certificate. Quick way to get into the dental field. More job opportunities opened after I received the certificate. Also received radiology license from class. Instructor is easy-going & bubbly personality.
Kaitlyn Waits
Kaitlyn Waits
13. August, 2022.
Enjoyable, quick program to get into a dental office. I'm looking forward to starting my new career
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
13. August, 2022.
It was a great experience! I was very nervous about dental and wasn’t sure how much I’d like it but through this experience I feel a lot better about going into the field. Jeanie who is the instructor is also a very warm person and truly cares for each of her students and their growth in the field.
Abby Morehouse
Abby Morehouse
11. May, 2022.
Such an amazing program! Would recommend this to anyone looking for a career in dentistry.
Lilly Collins
Lilly Collins
7. May, 2022.
Had an amazing experience as a student in the Lebanon program! The instructors Abby and Jeanne are amazing and have taught me so much from skills to job search, i will be forever grateful for their help and this experience.
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn
7. May, 2022.
Dental Assistant Pro is a wonderful program! The instructors, Jeanne and Abby, are very welcoming and do a great job at teaching their students. This program teaches you all of the basics and allows you to enter at an entry level dental assisting position at any Office. It was very convenient having classes only on the weekends and was so much fun!
Megan Sellman
Megan Sellman
7. May, 2022.
I went to Dental Assistant Pro from 7:30am-12pm, Jeanne and Abby made the program very fun and enjoyable! I learned a lot from this program and they made it easy to learn.
kiranpreet kaur
kiranpreet kaur
7. May, 2022.
I am only 18 and a Dental assistant now. I went to Dental Assistant Pro at Lebanon. It was a wonderful and thorough program. Jeane and Abby made it so easyyy to accomplish my goal. I learnt a lot in this program- X-rays, impression, diagnostic caste model and a lot of other things. Hands on training, awesome experience!!!!! Loved it 😊