Ask anyone in the later parts of their career, and they probably have a story or two to share about their career plans taking a turn, often unexpectedly. After all, situations like the pandemic are a perfect example of something that disrupts many jobs and industries all at once.
Disruptions to the job market, realizations about your future goals, and new opportunities are all reasons to make a change in a career. And while it might seem frightening to switch even just your job, it can be done with a little preparation.
Doing your research about a new industry, finding support from mentors like a career coach, and starting with a seasonal job like those offered by Adventure EXP all work together to make the process much smoother. More than anything, having a willingness to take a risk helps guide you to success.
Why pivot your career?
Most people wouldn’t anticipate changing their career path, but sometimes it becomes a necessity. Other times, it’s a realization that the field of work you’re in isn’t suitable for your strengths or a lack of connection with the goals of your position.
The Job Market Changes
At times, the job market and the need for specific jobs will change drastically. New opportunities and market needs can come into play, causing a shift in what companies are looking for. A perfect example of this is the need for software engineers and developers.
Many companies offer high-paying salaries to fill these roles as tech companies pop up left and right. It’s as simple as a 6-month course or boot camp that can provide the basic skills to establish yourself in that field.
The lost-lasting effects of the pandemic with closures of necessary training programs have also left many industries short of new employees. Gasoline shortages in the country have been attributed to various things, but the main impact is a lack of licensed drivers to transport the fuel. This shortage is expected to affect gasoline supply for the entire 2021 summer, meaning higher prices for consumers.
Better Opportunities Arise
As someone progresses through their career, whether in the beginning or later in the process, it’s essential to understand the industry in which they are working. A strong performer in a job understands that the learning doesn’t stop and eventually might want to change their career.
This isn’t unheard of for Millennials – they’re quick to job from one job to the next if a better opportunity awaits. In today’s job market, lateral moves can be made quickly, bolstered by the young start-up companies that support it.
A Change of Heart
You’ve probably had a conversation with multiple people about being stuck in a job or career they hate. It’s reason enough to seek out another degree for some and others to quit their job flat out. Having a change of heart or realizing what truly motivates you is enough to
Try and count the number of people you know who work in a job directly related to their college degree. According to the Washington Post, it should only account for 27% of your network.
That point also strengthens the argument that changing your career is more common than you’d think and why the skills you obtain from a 4-year degree in any area of study can still help you prepare for a different field of work.
A Seasonal Job Can Lead the Way
There are numerous benefits to a seasonal job, most of which can help you reach full-time employment. The main perk of taking this approach is the opportunity to dip your toes in the water within a new industry. It’s a safer risk to carry than a full-time position with no end date.
Other perks include:
- Travel in tandem with the position
- Good pay because of the shorter-term contract
- Flexibility to work outside of the 9-5 standard
Finding a seasonal job in your industry can be intimidating for someone new to the field of work, but programs like AdventureEXP will place you in a well-suited position. They understand how to take your interests and find a job that will be right for both you and the employer.
Transferable Skills Go a Long Way
Not only do seasonal jobs provide this, but the skills you’ll enhance in a seasonal position, just like a full-time one, will carry over to your next job – no matter the industry. Think of these skills as a part of every job you’ll have. Samara Elkins, from Coaching by Samara, an experienced resume and career coach, echoed this point saying, “clients are always surprised at skills and experience they didn’t even realize they were gaining.”
Universal Skills
- Interpersonal and Communication Skills
- Living with others or working in a team environment with people from various backgrounds helps bolster this.
- Independence and Self-Sufficiency
- Living on your own, budgeting for yourself, and managing your time wisely to balance work with your personal life strengthen this.
- Professionalism and Leadership
- You’ll develop this by learning about the standards in a new industry, meeting customer needs, and leading others on your team eventually.
More Specific Skills
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)/software skills
- Managing inventory, placing orders, and vendor communications
- Customer service skills from working with customers unique to that industry
- Training skills if you stay in a position long enough or can offer your expertise
How to Take the Plunge
Taking small steps is the most crucial piece of advice for anyone starting on a new career path. Don’t let the multitude of options, industry jargon, and often inaccurate job postings overwhelm you. If you follow the proper steps, you’re guaranteed to make it to your destination – that is, your new career.
Do Your Research
When I spoke with Samara, she said researching potential jobs and companies is vital. The information in the job postings can help you utilize the correct vocabulary for your resume or in interviews and understand the skills you’ll need to have.
Additionally, you can find groups on LinkedIn, browse articles about the industry trends, and connect with people already working in the field. This information will put you at par with someone else applying for the same position. Many people get comfortable in their jobs and stop staying up to date.
Once you’ve done the research, you’ll have a stronger idea of where you want to head. That direction allows you to align your messaging with the companies you’re applying to, giving you an added boost of confidence.
Stay Confident in Your Journey
Knowing where you want to end up is half the battle of launching into a new career. Once you’ve determined that, it’s important to stay confident in your journey. Samara noted that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the jargon, industry knowledge, and other details at first. Knowing your end destination helps filter out the noise as you progress.
More than that, it’s important to stay focus on your journey and not be sucked into someone else’s. There are thousands of career paths that people take, and while people can offer good advice along the way, there is no perfect method for success.
Your journey is your own and unique to you. This idea really becomes evident when you hear stories of people making career switches because of a new opportunity. Changing careers requires not just the research and upfront work but a bit of chance for a position to become available to you when the moment is right.
Ready to Get Started?
Knowing how to translate your experience and what you can do with where you want to go can be challenging. That’s why AdventureEXP partners with Coaching by Samara to help you pull out all the great content you already have, all in a way that will resonate with where you want to go. Every participant of our programs gets exclusive access to her coaching expertise so that you can continue to succeed after your experience ends.
Pivoting or changing your career isn’t as intimidating as it might seem. First things first, do your research. Having a wide-ranging knowledge of available positions, industry jargon, market trends, and more will give you the confidence to crush your interview. It’ll also keep your eye on the prize. A career coach can help guide you through that process too.
Additionally, many of the skills you already have will carry over to another position and give you a solid foundation. A program like Adventure EXP is a great way to build or establish those skills while allowing you to test out a new line of work in an exciting way. Once you’ve done that, it falls in your hands to take your experience, market yourself well, and walk confidently into the interview at your next company!