Is it hard to change your career?
I am interested in becoming a journalist, or a geneticist, or a veterinarian, or... You get the point. I have a lot ot career ideas, but none I am too sure about. I am wondering, if I try to become a journalist, and later on I don't like it, is changing careers hard? #changing-careers
3 answers
Will’s Answer
Hi,
The answer is yes and no. Yes, it's sometime difficult when you switch to a job that completely deviate from your initial career. Unless, you find a relation to the new job or you have a transition path to a new job. It's especially true for career that require technical accreditation or experience.
But never say never... I know a Surgeon that became Business Operation Manager in a total different industry. But he manage to improvise his previous job experience, uses his organization skills and keen attention to details into his new career.
I also know a good friend that owns a printing business, but work as a retail staff and a part-time realtor. He's doing what he love to do.
Take the time to test the water. Talk to your career or education counselor to see if there's open opportunity to visit companies or to speak to professional that you have interest in.
Internship and part-time job (if possible) will be great opportunity for you to experience the different career choice and what it entails. The most important thing is to use what you learn from your experience and apply it to a different career choice. Sometime your past or different skill set will set you apart from everyone else.
Good luck
Alice’s Answer
It depends on where you're coming from, where you're going, how much time you want to put into the career change, and where in your career you are. It's much easier when the important skills are the same in both careers, so going from one science to another is much easier than say, switching from science to journalism. Changing careers when you're younger under 25 isn't bad at all, because at that point you've invested less than 5 years, which isn't a huge amount of time if you look at how long you're likely to live.
That said, the best way to select a career that is more likely to work for you is to get exposure to the daily lives of people in the jobs you're considering. Check out internships, ask someone if you can shadow them for a week. Most people are quite happy to help someone figure out what they want to do.
Good luck!
