The idea of a career change can be daunting. When you’ve spent years, and a significant amount of money in school, training to do something and learning about a specific field, and then years working, building up a reputation and gaining promotions, the idea of just leaving it all behind can be terrifying.
But, it’s something that many of us do. It’s naive to assume that what we want and choose to study for when we are 18 will be what we want for the rest of our lives. We change. Our interests change, the world around us changes, and the workplace changes. Jobs that are available now didn’t even exist ten years ago, and careers that were once exceptionally popular have fallen to nothing over time.
One of the most significant problems people have when it comes to changing career is knowing where to start, or how to do it well. Let’s take a look at some of the things that you want to do now, to make your career change a success.
Make Sure it’s What You Want
The last thing that you want to do is give up on a career that you’ve built up and start from scratch only to find a little way down the line that it isn’t what you want at all. Are you sure? Are you possibly just bored? Have you made changes or tried new things in your current job? Have you spoken to your colleagues or boss? Take the time to think it through before leaping in.
Then, think about what you want to do. If there’s something you have a burning desire to do, then go for it. But, if you’re not sure, take your time to explore your options. Think about what you enjoy doing and what you are good at. Try to find a career that matches.
Get Some Experience
One way to find out more about your prospective new career and give yourself a head start is finding some related volunteer work or taking a part-time entry-level job. This gives you a chance to find out more about the industry and get a feel for what you might be doing, while also adding some relevant experience to your CV.
Learn
Education is essential when it comes to a career change. Even with a list of key skills as long as your arm, and plenty of workplace experience, if you are moving into a new area, there will be a lot to learn. Work experience will help you to gain some on the job knowledge, but you may also need qualifications like an electrical engineering technology degree. Take a look at jobs in the industry you’d like to move to. Read the job descriptions and requirements to see what you might need.
Make Connections
Work experience and education can be a great way to meet people in the field. These connections could help you get a job, or they might just give you a chance to learn more about the industry. Either way, they can be useful.
