Our parents tell us to go to school, finish college, and find a job. But, when you’re 18, you know nothing about what you want in life.
Your mind drifts with the wind, and you sign up for something you don’t want to do. But you persevere and get that degree.
Next, you try looking for a job. One of two things can happen.
One, you can’t find a job because the market has been oversaturated. Two, you find a job and start working, only to realize you don’t want to do that or you completely hate that job.
Both cases are okay because you can get a new job completely unrelated to your degree. Thanks to the internet, there are many ways to upskill yourself, change your niche, do freelance work, start a personal brand, or transition into a new career. It doesn’t matter how old you are. All it takes is a will to change and effort. Here are the steps you need to take.
Do research
If you want to change, but you aren’t sure what you want to do, go to an online job marketplace. Check out what types of jobs exist, and see what interests you. Freelance marketplaces are great research tools to check out what online professionals are doing. Then, see the career path you need to take to start working. What kind of experience do you need? Do you need to finish a course and get certified? The answers to these questions will lead you to the next step.
Learn a new skill.
After you know what you want to do, it’s time to learn about it. Most people start watching YouTube videos about their new profession. You can also read articles and go through beginner guides. You can buy a course from a professional or find something for free that will give you a head start.
One of the best ways to learn is by reading books. If you read three books on the subject, you’ll know almost as much as experts, and you’ll have a lot of leverage when it comes to using those skills in practice.
Make a side project.
Spend some time on weekends or when you’re free to create a project. Let’s say you’re trying to transition to a developer or a UI/UX designer. Start creating websites or designs in your free time. Or, ask your friends and family to do something for them. That way, you will create a portfolio, and you’ll gain much more experience compared to just studying without any practice.
Complete an internship
Internships are a great way to throw yourself into the fire of a career change. You won’t be paid as much as you’re worth at your current job, but you’ll make up for it by learning. Some internships are only available to college students, but you can try your luck regardless.
When you secure the internship, talk to your coworkers and ask them about the field. That’s why it’s better to work in the office than work on documents by remote access. You can ask what they enjoy the most. How did they start? And always remember to ask for constructive criticism so you can improve. Take their insight and advice, and use it to improve your skills.
Volunteer
Volunteering is basically working for free. When you’re working for free, all you’re getting is experience. During a career change, that’s precisely what you need. One piece of advice before starting a career change is to save money for a six-month runway. That’s how much you need to create a portfolio and find a new job. Employers value volunteer work, so having some experience will be a major benefit for you.
Improve your resume
Resume reinforcement is a must. Make sure you include all of the relevant skills you already have, the ones you used in your previous job, and list your experiences related to the new one. If you completed any side-projects, add them and links to your portfolio.
Brush up on your interview skills, and check out the latest openings for the position you want. When you’re ready, it’s time for the final step.
Apply to jobs
You must apply to multiple job openings to get to your dream position. Go to multiple interviews and test out the waters. Send your resume for positions you’re unqualified for now, and keep learning. Talk to recruiters on LinkedIn, network with them, and see if they can help you out too.
A good tip when applying for a new job is to never accept the first offer. It’s tempting to go for the first company that accepts you, but you might miss out on a better opportunity. The market is always open for motivated workers. If you’ve got the right mindset and nail the interview, they will train you for the skills.
Last but not least, when you transition to an aligned career, you don’t have to start from the bottom. In this case, you’ll be able to transfer some of your previous qualifications. For example, if you were into sales and want to transition to marketing, you’ve got overlapping skills. This is great if you like a few parts of your current job but want a new opportunity.
Additionally, at companies like Afni, which offers remote jobs, you can often find positions where a degree isn’t even required, opening up more accessible career paths without the need for formal education.
