Career Transitions: Because Who Really Knew at 18 What They Wanted to Do Forever?
My first job out of college was in a call center. If you’ve never had the pleasure of being yelled at by random strangers for things entirely out of your control, be thankful! 20+ years later, I am still triggered when the phone rings. Was this the plan life had for me? I sure hoped not! After several failed attempts to move inside the organization, I felt defeated. Then one day, I was tapped on my shoulder for a promotion. Six months later, I was tapped for another promotion. Finally, after 5+ years, I was starting to see my dedication pay off. As a 20-something “manager” for a Fortune 500 company, I felt on top of the world. But I still regretted that my career was siloed in call centers.
My heart was in human resources. How could I make this transition? I started to take on additional projects and volunteered for hiring committees. I became the department’s college recruiter and traveled to campuses nationwide, scouting for summer interns. Finally, the pathway to HR was clear, and I could see a more defined carer path. During that time, I also worked on projects around performance management and helped create the department’s first on-the-job (OJT) training curriculum and call monitoring and performance evaluation process. Shortly after, I moved to a Fortune 100 company, and in my new role, I oversaw OJT and all staffing needs for a call center of ~500 people. There, I learned about 9-box evaluations and dove deep into talent development. Within a year, I was tapped for a promotion and continued to lead my site's hiring and staffing strategy. Years later, I went back to college and earned my Masters in Human Resources Management, and shortly after that, I started my business.
Everyone’s career journey is different, but for most people, we don’t know what exactly motivates us until we know what doesn’t.
Embarking on a career transition can be as exciting as it is daunting. Stepping away from what is known and comfortable to explore new career avenues requires courage, careful planning, and thoughtful consideration. Regardless of the reason behind your decision – be it seeking new challenges, a shift in your interests, or yearning for a better work-life balance – a career transition could be the key to the professional fulfillment you seek.
Begin your journey by conducting thorough research. Delve into understanding the skills required, job market trends, and potential growth of the industry you are interested in. Gain insights from industry professionals and reach out to people who have walked the path you’re contemplating. LinkedIn, networking events, or industry-specific forums could serve as valuable platforms for these connections. Remember, while online research is beneficial, personal insights from individuals in your desired field often prove invaluable.
Consider the transferability of your skills. You might be surprised to find that skills honed in your current role, such as leadership, project management, or communication skills, are equally sought after in your new domain. Your soft skills, adaptability, and learning agility become your strongest allies when transitioning. Leverage these transferable skills to mitigate the gap in industry-specific experience. Learn how to implement this into your personal brand to show how these skills translate to your target positions. I love working with clients to shift their thinking across positions and industries.
Plan to start a few rungs lower on the ladder in your new field. It's crucial to have realistic expectations and a certain degree of patience as you prove your worth in a new domain. You may need additional training or certification to be competitive. Be prepared for this investment in time and potentially money, as it could be essential for your transition.
Finally, remember that a career transition doesn't happen overnight. It requires resilience and commitment, but the rewards can be immense. Equip yourself with a clear strategy bolstered by thorough research and realistic expectations. Your journey towards a fulfilling career awaits, defined not by the fear of uncertainty but by the promise of new opportunities. The courage to take the first step is the cornerstone of your career transition journey. Remember, every professional expertise today started as an unfamiliar terrain yesterday. Think of your transition as a marathon and not a sprint. Putting in the work will yield significantly better results. There is no magic pill!
