Do you find yourself daydreaming about a different career that aligns with your passions and aspirations? If so, you’re not alone. Before I made the decision to pivot from a career in communications to becoming an author, I felt exactly the same way.
Many of us reach a point in our lives where we crave greater meaning and more satisfaction from our careers. That feeling can be almost impossible to ignore. But running alongside that, the fear of switching gears and starting over can make the prospect of a pivot terrifying.
I made my Audible Original series, How to Change Careers, with Octavia Goredema because I know how it feels to lie awake at night wondering if you should take the leap. If you’re contemplating your future, here are 5 crucial questions to help you assess your career change options.
1) How much do I know about the job requirements for my new career choice, and how can I start to close those knowledge gaps?
2) How much experience do I already have in this new profession?
3) Is there an option to “test it out” this new career path as a volunteer or as a side project?
4) What do I need to do to obtain any skills needed that I don’t currently have?
5) Is it possible to pursue this new career alongside my existing one?
Take time to reflect on your responses to these questions. Where there are questions you can’t answer completely, this is an indicator that more research is needed. Don’t worry if you realize there’s a lot that you don’t know. Your self-assessment will guide you on the questions you need to ask individuals who have experience and insights into your new career choice.
If you need help answering any of the questions, seek out professionals you can connect with to ask for informational interviews. Informational interviews give you space to ask someone questions about their role and career. Most people are happy to help others and share insights into the work they do.
I encourage you to talk to as many people as possible. Uncover the details of what they do. Ask what it takes to enter and thrive in their area of expertise. Share your ideas on your next steps and ask them for honest feedback. Ask clearly for help, insights, and recommendations. Be as specific as you can. Remember, the person you’re talking to might not have all the answers, but they may know someone else who can also help you.
In addition, it’s essential to research what your earning potential will be in the new career. You might be changing careers because you want to earn more. Or maybe you’re prepared to earn less because the new career aligns with your preferred lifestyle and your goals.
Whatever the driving forces are, I do know sometimes you’ve got to do what you “have to do” until you can do “what you really want to do.” That doesn’t mean you can’t make a career change; it means I want you to take action with the strongest financial foundation possible. This will ensure you are setting yourself up for success in the immediate term and in the long term too.
Your career change journey will be unique and personal to you. Where you are now doesn’t even begin to define where you are headed. Transitions can be bumpy, and there will be times when you may feel like you’re not progressing. During those times, stay focused on the next step you need to take and ask for help when you need it. Your career is the most personal and the most valuable investment you’ll ever make. Embrace the fact that every step you take will move you closer to where you want to be.
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Octavia Goredema is the host of the Audible Original series How to Change Careers. She is the author of Prep, Push, Pivot: Essential Career Strategies for Underrepresented Women and a career coach at Twenty Ten Agency. You can learn more about her work here.
By Octavia Goredema
