When your past prevents you from having a future.

We received a question from a reader a few weeks ago about a subject that hasn’t yet been discussed on our website, or our newsletter.  The reader explained that he had a felony conviction that would soon be reduced to a misdemeanor and he wondered if that would prevent him from becoming a practical nurse.  Without knowing the nature of his conviction, I suggested he contact his State’s department of professional licensing.  This whole scenario led me to ask the question, what should you do if you’ve had a troubled past and how can you have a successful future in spite of it?

Choose the right career for your circumstances.

Examine the problem you faced and determine whether that would have an effect on the career you seek.  For example, I advised the young man who wrote to us that he would probably have a difficult time obtaining licensure if his felony conviction was for a drug offense.  Nurses are around drugs and administer drugs, so if you have a predilection for drug problems, placing yourself in an environment that is full of drugs is just begging for more problems.  Likewise, people with financial related criminal history shouldn’t place themselves in jobs that handle money or finances.

Learn the standards of your profession.  Some careers like nursing, require national and state licensing, while others like escrow officer may only require state licensing.  Some licensing is just a matter of taking a test, while others require a more thorough vetting.  Licensing requirements vary State to State.  Check with your State’s department of licensing to determine what the requirements are for the profession you have interest in.

Don’t let fear get in your way.

Don’t make assumptions that your past will preclude you from the career you want.  Find out for sure before you give up on that dream.  While a felony offense is certainly a bad thing to have, there may be extenuating circumstances that may be considered.  It’s certainly embarrassing to have to admit to things we’re ashamed of in our pasts like a DUI conviction or an assault conviction, but find out if that will exclude you from the career you want.  No one will hold it against you that you’re honest about your past.

If your past does prevent you from obtaining a required license, consider that not every profession requires licensing.  If your past doesn’t fit with your professional future because of licensing requirements, examine why you want to get into that particular career.  If you want to become a nurse because you like the aspect of patient care, consider becoming a medical assistant. 

In the State of New York, their professional licensing department only lists 47 careers that require licensure.

Honesty is the best policy.

Even if you can get the schooling or licensing you need for you career, you still have to find a job and get past your employer’s screening.  Having an honest approach to the problem will go a long way for you.  I would suggest possibly rehearsing a statement to make to prospective employers.  You don’t need to divulge all the details if you’re not comfortable, but you should be able to present the problem happened in the past, you’ve taken steps to make up for it and it won’t happen again.

Leave your past in the past.

Once you’ve made the proper steps to secure a good future, make sure you leave your past problems in the past.  Some problems may have been “youthful indiscretions,” or cases of bad judgment, while others may be indications of more serious problems like addiction or alcoholism.  The point is you need to stay away from those problems.  Depending on your situation, you may need to seek counseling or join a 12-step program or more.

Choosing a career can be difficult.  But having to choose one when you’ve had problems in your past is even harder.  I hope the advice in this column has been helpful and wish you good luck for your future.