Best Career Training Programs to Help Parents Launch New Careers They Love in 2025
Inside: Where to look for career training that will help you change careers and live the life you love.
Are you looking to make a career change soon? If so, you are in very good company!
A recent LinkedIn study found that nearly half of US workers are considering making a career change this year.
So, odds are between you, your next-door neighbor, your dentist, and your auto mechanic, at least two of you are thinking, “I’d really like to do something different in my career.”
Hopefully, your dentist and mechanic will think about this after they are done fixing problems with sharp tools and heavy machinery, but I digress.
A changing economy, parenthood, the appeal of remote work, work-life balance, and the gig economy lifestyle are all drivers for why people like you want to make a change. So, now that you know you aren’t alone in this career change conundrum, what can you do about it?
How to Change Careers in 2025
Before we get into the different training options, we need to start with the foundational stuff!
Choose a Path
First things first, figure out what you want to do!
This is easier said than done for a lot of people, including busy parents like you. You’ve been doing XYZ in your career for so long, it may be hard to take a pause and think about what you truly want. And the kids don’t leave a lot of quiet thinking time lying around, amirite?
I strongly recommend that you put some time into this work, though, and here’s how. Put the kids to bed and catch the 27-minute How to Land a Fulfilling Job You Love Without Giving Up the Flexibility You Need training. You’ll be shocked by how much insight you’ll gain into yourself and your needs with a little bit of guided self-reflection.
Find the Career Training You Need
Once you have identified a path forward that is an ideal fit for you, research what type of training is required.
Some new career paths will be well suited to your existing experience, which is awesome. Hooray, transferable skills!
Perhaps your experience as a parent makes you a great match, or your work experience in a related industry is highly valuable. Maybe skills you’ve built up in a side-hustle or hobby have you prepared. If so, own those skills on your resume and LinkedIn – more on that below.
However, if you’re finding that additional career training is required to do this new job well, scroll down to the list below of career training programs you can tap into in person or from the comfort of your couch.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn
Once you know what your transferable skills are or you’ve built new skills through career training, make sure those skills are showing up on your job application materials.
That means writing a resume summary and LinkedIn About section that sells you as a fantastic candidate.
It means highlighting your key skills on your resume by sharing your accomplishments – professional, volunteer, academic, personal, etc.
It could also mean a clean slate for your resume and a new template that shows you off as the wonderful candidate you are.
(If that sounds like you, check out one of my favorite resume templates here.)
Career Training Programs and Websites
Now let’s talk about those career training programs and websites.
Every industry is going to have different requirements and a multitude of different trainings you could access, but here’s a great list to get you started broken down by type of program.
Career Certificate Programs
Interested in getting into IT support, marketing, finance, project management, or data analytics? In many cases, you don’t need a four-year degree specific to that topic, but you do need a certification.
Google Certificates: You can earn a career certificate through Google’s Career Certificate program in a range of different fields and get access to career support and job opportunities.
HubSpot Certificates: For those seeking out roles in Marketing, HubSpot Academy has a ton of recognized certificates that will help you learn techniques, strategies, and tools used in the field.
Emeritus Certificates: Check out Emeritus for online certificate programs in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Product Design, and Data Science, developed by top universities.
Coaching Certificates: The coaching business offers a fulfilling and flexible path forward for people who are great listeners, strategists, and brainstorming partners. Explore coaching certificates through the International Coaching Federation.
Return to Work Programs
For those returning to the paid workforce after a career pause (I’m looking at you, stay-at-home moms and dads), return-to-work programs can be a great way to do career training. Plus, through these programs, you can build our network AND get paid!
reacHire: Through reacHire’s career training program, participants get access to technical training, business training, and on-the-job training through “returnships” with partner organizations.
iRelaunch: iRelaunch is another great example of a return to work program that centers on tools, resources, and training to position yourself well for career re-entry and a career change.
Read More: 10 Websites Moms Returning to Work Need to Know
Online Courses
You may have also heard of or considered online courses, which are a great option!
Coursera: Through the Coursera platform, you can find online courses, certificates, and degree programs on just about everything you can think of. Check out free courses and longer paid courses that fit your needs in IT, health, finance, sales, etc.
LinkedIn Learning: LinkedIn Learning is also a great source for online courses. You can start with a free month of access and take courses in Photoshop, Excel, Quickbooks, Python, etc. If you’re a LinkedIn premium member, access to these courses is included in your membership.
Small business owners are also in on the online course game and offer online courses on a range of topics that can help you pivot in your career. For example, I offer a course on how to figure out what’s next in your career. I have also personally taken great courses on Search Engine Optimization and marketing funnels.
To get a little meta for a moment, Digital Course Academy is another online course that helps you learn how to create your own profitable online course!
Career Training Bootcamps
Don’t worry, I’m not going to start yelling, “Drop and give me 20!”
(Unless you want to become a fitness instructor, in which case, head over to these fitness instructor programs!)
The Bootcamps I’m talking about here are about coding. You know, the ones and zeros that make up all the websites and apps we rely on every day!
Nowadays, you don’t necessarily need a Computer Science degree to become a software developer. Instead, you can learn how to code by going through an intensive online Bootcamp like this one offered through MIT. Some Bootcamps also offer career support, which is an excellent thing to look for when comparing options.
Community College
What about careers that require hands-on training, like nursing or becoming an EMT? Community Colleges are a great place to get advanced career training in these career fields.
Community college programs are generally not as long as an undergraduate Bachelor’s or graduate degree and focus exclusively on the skills you’ll need for this new career path.
Find community college programs near you with a very simple Google search – community colleges near me. How intuitive! I promise you’ll have a good list to start with right there.
Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
I purposefully left undergraduate and graduate degree programs for last on the list because, so often, people think of a traditional degree program as the only way to change careers.
Not true, friends! As we’ve just talked about, there are lots of options that could be better for your career goals AND lifestyle as a busy parent.
However, let’s not count undergrad and grad degrees out. If you want to be a doctor, you’re going to need to go back and get a medical degree. If you want to be a teacher in a public school high school, in many states, you need a Bachelor’s Degree and then a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education along with your teaching license.
Research the requirements of the career path you’re considering through the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook as a good starting place. Then go to the College Navigator to type in your criteria and find schools that would be a good match.
Career Change, Career Training, and You!
Your turn now, my friend!
Start with the self-evaluation piece, then go to research, and then take action to skill up for your new career.
I know it feels like a big mountain to climb. You have A TON going on in life as a working parent or soon-to-be working parent.
But your happiness and success are worth it – for you AND for your family. Let’s get you the skills to make moves, make money, and build a life you love.
Read More on Career Training:
Going Back to Work? Interview Like a Pro with Tips from a Career Coach
5 Free Assessments to Propel Your Career Forward
