How To Make A Career Transition
When I look back at my ever-expanding career, the moments I’m often most proud of and that I rarely speak of, are when I left a work situation that wasn’t working for me. From toxic work environments, to not-right-fits, to starting my own company, I’ve seen it all. So why don’t we talk about leaving a job? Primarily: stigma. Millennials have garnered a reputation for ourselves as being job-hoppers, while past generations really tried to stick to one thing and excel through the ranks. So of course, there is bound to be some proverbial side-eye at skipping the line/switching jobs to get ahead.
That said, I want to demystify the thought that one should pick something and stick to it. Of course if you’re happy in what you’ve chosen and find yourself in a livable working environment then yes, that is amazing and wonderful and yay for you. However, what I don’t want to see are my beautiful intelligent capable people staying in something that doesn’t suit them because they think it’s what they need to do. Unfortunately, I have seen it far too often or I wouldn’t feel the need to speak on it. It can be terrifying to think of the what-ifs when you want to leave a situation work or otherwise, but what I have learned is that there is always something better waiting for you. You just have to be strong enough to go out and get it.
So, how exactly are you meant to make a leap with minimal, if any, experience outside of what you’re currently doing? Let me break it down for you: you’re going to make a plan.
Ask yourself these questions:
1.) Am I able to insert myself into an organization that will give me access to the career I truly want? (Spoiler: yes always yes - just keep looking!)
2,) Do I know someone who is currently in the industry I want to enter?
Leaning on friends who have been there before you is a great first step to ease your nerves. If the answer is no, no sweat - make a list of 5 people in the industry you admire and reach out to them on LinkedIn, email or any other public social account. People are very easy to reach these days, and if they don’t reply no love lost - just keep moving down the list, someone will eventually agree to answer any biting questions you may have. Bonus tip: don’t ask people if you can pick their brain, instead ask a few very specific questions so they can quickly reply.
3.) Am I financially in a place to have no income for the next 3-6 months? Now before you stop reading, I’m here to tell you you don’t need to have savings to start something new. Begin small, work on off-hours, minute but minute it will all add up. While you stack hours of practice on a new craft, you can stack your paper to invest and save when needed.
4.) Can I volunteer in the field I want to enter? This one really worked for me. I found when people saw my work ethic they wanted to pay me without prompt. However, give yourself a timeframe to volunteer, research what you should be making, and then don’t be afraid to ask your worth. If someone can’t pay then, SWITCH LANES.
5.) Where can I establish myself as a thought-leader in this new industry? From creating your own website, to guest blogging and beyond there is always a way to display your newfound expertise to the world.
The last piece of key advice is call yourself what you want others to call you! People will believe what you tell them, because why would you lie? As such when starting out, don’t be afraid to give yourself a title that better aligns with where you’re trying to go. As you continue to build experience, you won’t even remember being a novice and the name will be more than accurate and earned.
…and remember, there is no age to innovation. #LatinasCreate
