Career change as a coach

Career change paths

• HR director

  Also: Head of HR development

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As HR director, you are responsible for all HR topics, from recruiting and development to employment law and working with the works council (Betriebsrat).

  What you bring:

  You know HR development, managers and change processes, and you have worked closely with senior management.

  How to get there:

  This move often happens internally or by first becoming head of HR development. You can close gaps in employment law and payroll with courses, or with the upgrading course for certified HR specialist (Geprüfte Personalfachkauffrau/Geprüfter Personalfachkaufmann) offered by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €7,885gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR officer

  Also: Recruiter

  With on-the-job training

  As an HR officer or recruiter, you look after employees and managers, fill open positions and support hiring and changes.

  What you bring:

  You know competency models, interviews and selection procedures from HR development.

  How to get there:

  HR departments hire HR development specialists directly. You learn employment law and personnel administration on the job or in courses of a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,147gross per monthMedian salary

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• Organizational consultant

  Also: Change manager

  With on-the-job training

  As an organizational consultant or change manager, you guide restructuring, facilitate workshops and advise managers.

  What you bring:

  You have supported learning programs, workshops and change processes and know how people react to new things.

  How to get there:

  Consulting firms and larger companies hire experienced HR development specialists. Further training in organizational development or change management is available alongside work, and the duration depends on the provider. Later, you can also work as a freelancer.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €6,768gross per monthMedian salary

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• E-learning author

  Also: Instructional designer

  With on-the-job training

  As an instructional designer, you develop e-learning courses, learning videos and digital learning paths for companies and education providers.

  What you bring:

  You can write learning objectives, structure content and know what adults actually retain.

  How to get there:

  E-learning providers and companies hire HR development specialists who can work with authoring tools. Courses on this take a few days to weeks. You can also work as a freelancer.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of a training academy

  Also: Head of an education center

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As head of an academy, an education center or an adult education center (Volkshochschule), you are responsible for the program, staff and budget.

  What you bring:

  You know training needs, trainers and course programs, and you can plan course offerings on a sound financial basis.

  How to get there:

  Training providers, chambers and corporate academies fill leadership positions with experienced people from further education, often after a first step as head of a program or division. Adult education centers often expect a university degree.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,151gross per monthMedian salary

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• Job coach

  Also: Integration consultant at a training provider

  With on-the-job training

  As a job coach at a training provider, you support job seekers with applications, further training and starting a new job.

  What you bring:

  You can recognize strengths, motivate people and plan learning paths.

  How to get there:

  Training providers hire specialists with coaching or education experience for these roles, and the programs are usually funded by the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) and the Jobcenter. Coaching certificates and knowledge of the labor market help you get in.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,374gross per monthMedian salary

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• Internal communications officer

  Also: Communications officer

  With on-the-job training

  In internal communications, you write articles for the intranet and employee publications, organize events and support change.

  What you bring:

  You can explain changes, develop formats for staff and know what is on their minds.

  How to get there:

  Companies hire HR development specialists with strong writing skills directly, and courses in corporate communications take a few weeks to months. Work samples help with your application.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,318gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of a residential unit in integration assistance

  Also: Group leader in a residential facility for people with disabilities

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As head of a residential unit or team leader you lead a team, organize shifts and occupancy, and are the contact for funding bodies and legal guardians.

  What you bring:

  You know support planning, documentation, duty rosters and how to work with relatives and authorities.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal promotion after some years of work experience, often with a part-time further training course in management and team leadership lasting a few months. Providers usually expect a specialist qualification such as disability support worker (Heilerziehungspfleger). If you are a social care assistant (Sozialassistent), you usually need to complete this vocational college training (Fachschulausbildung) first. To lead whole facilities, some providers also expect further training such as special needs education (Heilpädagogik) or a university degree.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Lots of contact with people

  €5,771gross per monthMedian salary

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• Vocational school teacher via the alternative route (Seiteneinstieg)

  Also: Teacher for business and administration

  With a degree

  At vocational schools, you teach trainees in business and administration as an alternative-route teacher (Seiteneinsteiger).

  What you bring:

  You can lead learning groups, prepare content for teaching and know company-based training from the inside.

  How to get there:

  Some federal states offer an alternative route into teaching (Seiteneinstieg) at vocational schools with training alongside work; in North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, it lasts 24 months under the OBAS and ends with the state examination (Staatsprüfung). A suitable master's or diploma degree is usually required. Each federal state decides whether your degree is recognized for the teaching subjects.*Regulated by law (State law: teacher education acts and alternative-route regulations of the German states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,140gross per monthMedian salary

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• Special needs educator (Heilpädagoge)

  Also: Early intervention specialist

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a special needs educator you assess the support need more precisely and provide targeted support, for example in early intervention or special needs education services.

  What you bring:

  You support children, young people or adults with special support needs, and you know developmental observation, support plans and working with parents.

  How to get there:

  You take the further training at a vocational college for special needs education (Fachschule für Heilpädagogik). It usually takes one and a half to two years full-time and longer alongside a job, and ends with a qualification as state-recognized special needs educator (Heilpädagoge). You generally need a qualification as early childhood educator (Erzieher) or disability support worker (Heilerziehungspfleger) plus work experience. The further training can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*Regulated by law (State law: state recognition under each state's vocational college regulations).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €4,350gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational therapist

  With further training

  Occupational therapists treat exactly this on a doctor's prescription, for example in children, after accidents or in people with mental illness.

  What you bring:

  You promote motor skills, perception and independence in everyday life, and you know developmental delays and disabilities from hands-on experience.

  How to get there:

  You train at a vocational school (Berufsfachschule) for three years and finish with a state exam. You need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) plus at least two years of vocational training. Depending on the state and school, tuition fees may still apply.*Regulated by law (Occupational Therapists Act (ErgThG)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLots of contact with people

  €4,001gross per monthMedian salary

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• Speech therapist

  With further training

  In speech therapy you treat language, speech, voice and swallowing disorders in children and adults on a doctor's prescription.

  What you bring:

  You support people with disabilities in communicating, for example with plain language, signs or communication aids, and you notice problems with speaking or swallowing.

  How to get there:

  You train at a vocational school for speech therapy (Berufsfachschule für Logopädie) for three years and finish with a state exam. You need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) plus at least two years of vocational training. At some schools tuition fees still apply.*Regulated by law (Act on the Profession of Speech Therapist (LogopG) § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,307gross per monthMedian salary

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• Registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann)

  With vocational training

  The nursing training adds medical nursing care, pathology and responsibility for care planning.

  What you bring:

  Especially as a disability support worker, you know basic care, giving medication according to plan and supporting people who need assistance.

  How to get there:

  You do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann). It takes three years full-time or up to five years part-time, and you receive a training allowance. On request, the responsible authority can credit an equivalent previous training, up to two thirds of the training period at most. How much is possible with your qualification is decided case by case.*Regulated by law (Nursing Professions Act (PflBG)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• Prison officer

  Also: Officer in the general prison service

  With vocational training

  In the prison service you look after and supervise prisoners in daily life, and in juvenile detention in particular, educational skills are in demand.

  What you bring:

  You can lead groups, defuse conflicts and enforce clear rules in a friendly but firm way.

  How to get there:

  You do the preparatory service as a state civil servant, usually for about two years, and you are paid during training. You usually need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) together with vocational training (Berufsausbildung). The sports test, health requirements and age limits differ by state.*Regulated by law (Training and examination regulations of the federal states for the general prison service).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €4,041gross per monthMedian salary

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• Adventure education specialist (Erlebnispädagoge)

  Also: Outdoor trainer

  With vocational training

  In adventure education you lead climbing, canoe trips, hikes and team exercises for school classes, youth groups or companies.

  What you bring:

  You plan group activities, keep safety and group dynamics in view, and can inspire children and young people.

  How to get there:

  You take a part-time additional training in adventure education at an independent training provider, usually in modules over several months, often with certificates, for example for climbing or canoeing. Permanent jobs exist mainly at child and youth welfare providers, youth hostels and training centers, and some positions are seasonal or paid on a fee basis.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of contact with peopleLots of time outdoors

  €4,457gross per monthMedian salary

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• Early childhood educator (Erzieher)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an early childhood educator (Erzieher) you work with children and young people in a daycare center (Kita), after-school care center (Hort), all-day school or residential group, plan the educational work and take responsibility for a group.

  What you bring:

  From your work in social facilities you know everyday support, observation, documentation and cooperation with relatives and professionals.

  How to get there:

  You do vocational college training (Fachschulausbildung) under state law, usually for two to three years plus practice. Depending on the state, it can also be practice-integrated with pay, or part-time alongside a job. Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications) is possible. Depending on the state, a qualification as social care assistant (Sozialassistent) is the usual route in. With other qualifications, the states regulate access differently.*Regulated by law (State law: state recognition under each state's vocational college regulations).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLots of contact with people

  €3,995gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.