STRATEGIES FOR EXPLORING NEW CAREER FIELDS
If you're considering a career change, one of the worst things you can do is settle on a field without first learning as much as possible about it. You may have also known people who went to graduate school (and often took out large loans to do so), only to find out after graduation what their chosen profession was really like, or professionals who burned out so badly at their job that they quit and rushed into another career that was just as unfulfilling.
That's why it's crucial to do your homework before making a drastic career change. Though nothing can be guaranteed with absolute certainty, you can at least increase your odds by doing some preliminary investigation into possible careers.
Learning Your Field and Profession Through Blogs and Books
Reading blogs and books written for your specific field can teach you a lot. Do you think they're worth looking into? To what extent do you take pleasure in expanding your knowledge of cutting-edge developments and hot debates in your field? This will also help you think of better questions to ask during your informational interviews, as you won't have to waste time asking about material that is readily available elsewhere. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk to a human being by investigating the least clear parts of a potential profession.
Participate in Related Facebook Groups and/or Go to Events Hosted by Related Professional Groups
Facebook groups and in-person events with a narrow professional focus are great places to meet like-minded people. What exactly is it that these experts discuss? Which worries have they got? Just how nice are they? How friendly are they to those who are just joining? Think about how you feel when you're around them, how they talk, and whether or not the topics of discussion tend to center on problems or solutions. Your success here depends on how you choose to utilize the available areas.
Discuss This with Experts in the Field
The experts you'll find in the field will have the most information to share with you. Professional life rarely matches up to the idealized version presented in popular culture or the one you envision for yourself. Many people, for instance, enter the arts because they enjoy expressing themselves creatively and appreciate beautiful things without realizing that many artists are in fact self-employed. In order to make a living as an artist, you'll need to acquire the business skills necessary to negotiate contracts, seek out clients, promote your work, and run a successful enterprise. Thus, if you aspire to make it as a working artist, you should be willing to learn the ins and outs of marketing and business management.
Talk to at least ten people in the field you're considering to get a feel for what it's really like to work there. Why 10? Simply because that's a sizable enough sample to detect meaningful patterns in the responses (e.g., a lack of work-life balance). A word of caution, though: informational interviews need to be set up and conducted correctly in order to give you the inside information you need. If you want to succeed, you need to make sure you don't make these typical blunders.
Learn About Wage Variations
It's easy to forget that your profession and industry are the two most significant determinants of your salary potential when you're preoccupied with perfecting the art of negotiation. It's true that some actors earn millions of dollars annually, but the industry as a whole is aware that the vast majority of performers are paid far less than they deserve. Conversely, entry-level positions in certain fields can still earn competitive salaries.
If you are planning on taking out loans to go back to school or have specific financial goals in mind, then it is crucial that you have a good idea of how much money you can expect to make. Borrowing more money than you can afford to repay is a surefire way to set yourself up for financial hardship after graduation.
Find Out More About the State and City That Interests You Most
Last but not least, every metropolis offers its own unique set of possibilities. Whether you are flexible in your living situation or have decided to stay put, it is important to do research on the cities you are considering. Learn about the cities' thriving industries, top employers, median income, and cost of living. Additionally, you may want to research whether or not any state or local agencies or non-profits offer assistance in finding employment, acquiring new abilities, or launching a business. For example, if you're a remote worker and you move to Vermont, the state will give you money, and the city of Newburgh Heights, Ohio, will help you pay off your student loans.
If you put in the effort to complete each of the aforementioned steps, you will have a much clearer picture of what it's like to work in any given profession, including the skills you get to use, industry trends, how people interact with one another, their receptivity to career switches, and more. As you proceed through this procedure, the path forward that best suits your needs will become increasingly apparent. To those who are embarking on a journey, best wishes!
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