In the years that I have been working with people in career transition, I have always openly wondered exactly what that entailed. Is it simply somebody who woke up one day and found they had chosen the wrong profession? Is it someone who worked for years at a job that all of a sudden wasn’t there anymore. Is it a person who’s tired of working for somebody else and wants to strike out on their own?
The answer, in a nutshell, is yes, to all of those questions and more.
Many years ago, one of the online job boards advertised to people, “Don’t settle.” And that can really sum up any career transitioner. The idea, of course, is to make the assessment that your current field isn’t what you’re looking for and finding something that satisfies you.
I have often been reminded of this in my own career. Perhaps that’s why I felt that creating this guide was necessary. In order to figure out what direction you’re truly heading, you’ll have to ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I enjoy my current job?
- Are there certain aspects of my job that I would like to do more of, but don’t really get a chance?
- Do I have the right skills that can transfer over to the career that I’m looking at?
- Would I rather be my own boss, and if so, what services will I offer?
- Will I need to go back to school to pursue what I want to do?
- Am I going to need to do some interning or volunteering in order to gain the skills and experience I need?
It’s only the beginning, though. These are just six out of the countless questions that you are likely to ask yourself during your journey through career transition. And some of the answers you will find may surprise you.
This is the beginning of the discussion. With this, as well as future entries, please feel free to share your stories by logging onto the Crossroads Career Transition Forum. Registration is free.