Career Switching Basics
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
Changing careers may seem like a daunting journey, especially if you’ve been in your field for years or if for the majority of your professional life, it’s all you’ve been trained to do.
But while every situation is unique and there is no cookie cutter prescription or formula, there are some general principles that you can consider to get started and propel yourself forward.
So whether you know exactly what new field you want to transition into or if you have no clue yet, here are five basic steps to consider and serve as a foundation for navigating your way.
Acknowledge anxiety - Any kind of change is scary, but is even more daunting when it’s related to your identity. If you’ve been used to a certain response to the “What do you do?” question, it’s hard when you suddenly have to change your answer. The need or even just a curiosity for a career change is a normal part of life especially with the millennial generation. Acknowledge the anxiety, the uncertainties, the apprehension. Be comfortable in being uncomfortable. This is the first indication that you are stepping outside of your comfort zone, and in the right direction.
Gather information - At the beginning, research like crazy. You aren’t simply changing shampoo brands, this is a big leap. You need all the information available to you by whatever means. The more you know, the more you discover realizations on your feelings and thoughts about your desired transition. It also provides opportunities to craft your transition plan that works best for you. Don’t know where to start? Good old Google is your best friend. Just be careful, make sure you know when to draw the line to consuming too much information. You do this to propel yourself forward, not paralyze you.
Consider the risks - People used to say, “No risk, no reward”. Changing your career is no exception. But it’s a different story when you have mortgage to pay, kids to support, school loans, among many others. Assess your current situation to identify the level of risk you can take. There are people who were able to completely leave their corporate jobs to pursue entrepreneurship and afford to not get revenue right away while others have to keep their jobs while transitioning part-time. Understanding how switching careers will affect you and those depending on you is critical and it’s not just the financial risks. Will you have to move for your new career? If your desired move is within the same company, what are the factors to consider? What will you do if you don’t achieve your career switching goal? Consider these questions before any major decision.
Look for connections - Author and entrepreneur Ben Casnocha said, “Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They're attached to people. If you're looking for an opportunity, you're really looking for a person.” Reach out to people who made the change, people who are in the industry or doing the work you desire to do. You don’t have to be an extrovert to network. It is likely that you’ll find most are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. In this day and age, there are a lot of platforms that allows us to reach a wider group of people virtually. Use that to your advantage. If you’re not comfortable reaching out to people you don’t know, learn how to. Do it out of genuine interest. You never know, it might even lead you to powerful connections - your new mentor, business partner, or a career guide. And when the time comes, be that person to someone else too.
Test it out - Just like buying a new car, you have to test drive your new path. You may have gathered all the essential information, calculated all the risks, and talked to several people on the inside, but you will never really know if you like a career unless you test it out. Dip your toes before you go all in. Volunteer, apprentice, job shadow, etc. It’s different in practice versus in theory. You will most likely encounter challenges you haven’t prepared for, even if you put a lot of time and effort preparing. This may lengthen the timeline of your career transition, but as with everything else, great things come over time. Take the time to do a "trial and error”, tweak your plans as necessary and you’re well on your way to the career switch of your dreams.
These are just five of the many steps you will take in your journey to switching careers. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s no easy feat as well. As long as you commit to taking the first step, you are well on your way.