For many reasons, professionals may find themselves feeling stuck or frustrated with their careers. If your dissatisfaction has left you feeling an endless listlessness, lack of motivation or dread at work, it may be time to consider a transition. While it can be a daunting decision, it is never too late to consider a career change. Take back control of your life and find a more fulfilling career with these tips on how to change professions.
Consider Your Options
When we hit young adulthood, it can be a difficult time to decide what we want to do with our lives. Asking young people what they want out of their professional life when they lack experience can be a shot in the dark at best, but you have time to consider your choices. Making a career change later in your professional life can present you with better-informed choices due to the information that you now know about different fields, professional interests and yourself. As you consider those options, know that you don’t have to be limited to your own field, and you can explore anything from court reporters Sacramento to screenwriting to accounting.
Evaluate Your Current Circumstances
If you are unhappy in your role and are looking to make a big move, this may be the perfect time to assess your life. While charging ahead may feel like the best strategy to propel you forward, keep in mind that without an understanding of your current circumstances, you may find yourself in a similar situation. To avoid dissatisfaction with your next move, take some time to evaluate your professional life, preferences and skills. By understanding what your likes, dislikes, interests and skills are in your current situation, you can begin to build a map of how to get to where you want to be.
Do Your Research
To chart the route of your big career move, you will want to know that you have done your due diligence and sufficient research. While internet searches can help you narrow down your selection of career fields, roles and companies, there is only so much that an internet search can tell you. A key source of information is someone who has experience in those industries. Consider utilizing your network to locate professionals who can help inform your professional pursuits. Listening to their lived experience or requesting an informal interview will teach you more than any internet search can.
Reflect on Your Experience
A reflection on your life thus far will prove incredibly useful as you look to make your career change. You can derive a clearer understanding from spending time reflecting on your professional experiences and better understand what motivates you, what your values are and what stands in your way through this reflective experience. These key factors can help you narrow down your list of potential paths and positions. Consider taking time to quietly reflect on your purpose and if it is useful to you, think about journaling to help you document your thoughts. If you are looking for a more satisfying and fulfilling professional life, this is a great exercise to participate in.
Go Back to School
If you are considering a field well outside of your current profession, transitioning to another role may require additional steps. While some skills are translatable between careers and fields, there may be jobs where you need more technical skills or information to enter into the industry, but going back to school can give you what you need to make a career jump. By supplementing your current experience with knowledge, you can fill in the gaps that you need for your transition. Going back to school can be a scary step, especially if you have been out of school for a while. You will need to give yourself time to adjust to classes, so be sure to be kind to yourself. You are never too old to return to school, it just may take some time to transition back.
Remember to Have Perspective
When we get frustrated at work and find tension rising, we can be quick to search for new positions. While another job may solve a lot of your problems, keep in mind that the grass is not always greener on the other side. There is no job out there that is perfect and each role will have its hardships and challenges; however, having a well-researched and informed plan will help you ensure that you are making a move that will lead you to success.
People who find themselves unhappy with their jobs often feel unable to get out of this dilemma; however, there is so much that you can do to take back control of your professional life. Career changes are possible, even when making drastic jumps from one industry to another, but it will require much more than just updating a resume. Take the time and invest the energy into finding a career that can offer you a fulfilling, satisfying and manageable experience and you will be on your way to a happier life.
