Changing your career path in the middle can be frightening, but rest assured many people can change their career successfully. Usually career changes occur due to feelings of boredom and emptiness. Below are some tips to help you get through the transition smoothly.
When changing a career, it gives you a chance to work on realigning your values with your career. The consideration of finances must always be taken into account. There will also be a fear of failure and worries about if this path will be the correct one for you.
Priorities
Sit back and reflect on who you are and what you want to be. You must consider what fills you with joy and gives you a challenge. Look for your passion and follow it to become successful.
Testing
If you are unsure of your skills and passions, consider a consultation with a life coach or counselor that can give you questionnaires and allow you to determine what you are best at and what you may not be suited for in a career. These tests can set you on the path towards your new and exciting career.
Reflect
Look back on your life and consider the high points in your career and things that you are proud of. What aspects of your job made you happy and what aspects made you hate the job? Find out what you miss and what you were naturally good at performing in your career.
Test the Waters
If you think you want to jump into a new career, take some time to explore that career. Look for places where you can volunteer or intern to determine if this is the path you want to take prior to investing time and money. If you enjoy teaching, see if you can substitute or teach a seminar to get practice with public speaking. If you think you want to be a nurse, see if you can volunteer at a nursing home and watch what the nurses are responsible for performing on their shift.
Believe
One thing that is important is believing in yourself when you are going through the process. Your former career may have defined you, but it is time to redefine yourself and take ownership of your new path. You must fully embrace the new career and all that it encompasses. Believe in it and live that new career to the fullest.
Network
One of the most important things to check on when deciding to switch careers is how the new group interacts and what their culture is like. Consider attending a conference where professionals meet and watch how the individuals interact. Learn how their recruitment process works and what they are looking for in employees. Meet people in the career field and ask them questions about their career and what they like and dislike in the profession. It is important to meet the upper level employees and the entry level employees to see all sides of the industry.
