7 answers
Aimee
Student
Albany, New York
1
Question
Asked
799 views
Career change advice?
I'm interested in a career change but I feel like there's not many options for me around here. I work best in an environment with teamwork but where I am working on my own the majority of the time, relaxed pace, structure, autonomy, and continued learning and growth. What would be a good fit for me?
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7 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Aimee!
Understanding Your Career Preferences
To determine a suitable career change for you, it’s essential to analyze your preferences and strengths. You mentioned that you thrive in environments characterized by teamwork but currently find yourself working independently. Additionally, you value a relaxed pace, structure, autonomy, and opportunities for continued learning and growth. These factors will guide us in identifying potential career paths.
Identifying Potential Career Options
Project Management
Teamwork: Project managers often work with diverse teams to achieve project goals.
Structure: This role typically involves structured processes and methodologies (like Agile or Waterfall).
Autonomy: While collaboration is key, project managers also have significant autonomy in decision-making.
Continued Learning: The field of project management offers various certifications (like PMP or Scrum Master) that can enhance your skills.
Human Resources (HR)
Teamwork: HR professionals collaborate with various departments to manage employee relations and organizational culture.
Structure: HR roles often follow established policies and procedures.
Autonomy: Many HR positions allow for independent decision-making regarding recruitment, training, and employee development.
Continued Learning: The HR field is dynamic, providing opportunities for professional development through workshops and certifications (like SHRM or HRCI).
Education or Training Specialist
Teamwork: Working as an educator or trainer involves collaborating with colleagues and engaging with learners.
Structure: Educational institutions typically have structured curricula and guidelines.
Autonomy: Educators often have the freedom to design their lessons while adhering to educational standards.
Continued Learning: This field encourages ongoing education through professional development courses.
Consulting
Teamwork: Consultants frequently work in teams to solve client problems.
Structure: Consulting projects usually follow a defined framework or methodology.
Autonomy: Consultants often operate independently within the scope of their projects.
Continued Learning: The consulting industry requires staying updated on trends and best practices, promoting continuous learning.
Nonprofit Sector Roles
Teamwork: Nonprofits rely heavily on teamwork to achieve their missions.
Structure: Many nonprofits have established processes for program implementation and evaluation.
Autonomy: Depending on the role, there may be opportunities for independent work while contributing to team goals.
Continued Learning: Nonprofits often provide training opportunities related to community engagement, fundraising, and program management.
Exploring Local Opportunities
Given that you’re located in Albany, New York, it’s beneficial to explore local job markets that align with your interests:
Research local organizations that focus on education, healthcare, community services, or corporate sectors where project management or HR roles are prevalent.
Attend networking events or workshops related to your fields of interest; these can provide insights into available positions and help you connect with professionals who share similar interests.
Skill Development
Regardless of the path you choose:
Consider taking online courses or attending workshops related to your desired field. Platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer valuable resources for skill enhancement.
Networking is crucial; reach out to professionals in your target fields through platforms like LinkedIn for informational interviews.
Conclusion
Transitioning careers can be daunting but also rewarding when aligned with your personal values and work preferences. By focusing on roles that emphasize teamwork while allowing for structure and autonomy—such as project management, human resources, education/training specialist roles, consulting, or nonprofit positions—you can find a fulfilling career path that supports your desire for continued growth.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides comprehensive data on job outlooks across various industries including salary ranges and employment trends.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): Offers insights into HR practices including certifications which can aid in career transitions into human resources roles.
Project Management Institute (PMI): Supplies information about project management methodologies along with certification options that support career advancement in this field.
God Bless You!
JC.
Understanding Your Career Preferences
To determine a suitable career change for you, it’s essential to analyze your preferences and strengths. You mentioned that you thrive in environments characterized by teamwork but currently find yourself working independently. Additionally, you value a relaxed pace, structure, autonomy, and opportunities for continued learning and growth. These factors will guide us in identifying potential career paths.
Identifying Potential Career Options
Project Management
Teamwork: Project managers often work with diverse teams to achieve project goals.
Structure: This role typically involves structured processes and methodologies (like Agile or Waterfall).
Autonomy: While collaboration is key, project managers also have significant autonomy in decision-making.
Continued Learning: The field of project management offers various certifications (like PMP or Scrum Master) that can enhance your skills.
Human Resources (HR)
Teamwork: HR professionals collaborate with various departments to manage employee relations and organizational culture.
Structure: HR roles often follow established policies and procedures.
Autonomy: Many HR positions allow for independent decision-making regarding recruitment, training, and employee development.
Continued Learning: The HR field is dynamic, providing opportunities for professional development through workshops and certifications (like SHRM or HRCI).
Education or Training Specialist
Teamwork: Working as an educator or trainer involves collaborating with colleagues and engaging with learners.
Structure: Educational institutions typically have structured curricula and guidelines.
Autonomy: Educators often have the freedom to design their lessons while adhering to educational standards.
Continued Learning: This field encourages ongoing education through professional development courses.
Consulting
Teamwork: Consultants frequently work in teams to solve client problems.
Structure: Consulting projects usually follow a defined framework or methodology.
Autonomy: Consultants often operate independently within the scope of their projects.
Continued Learning: The consulting industry requires staying updated on trends and best practices, promoting continuous learning.
Nonprofit Sector Roles
Teamwork: Nonprofits rely heavily on teamwork to achieve their missions.
Structure: Many nonprofits have established processes for program implementation and evaluation.
Autonomy: Depending on the role, there may be opportunities for independent work while contributing to team goals.
Continued Learning: Nonprofits often provide training opportunities related to community engagement, fundraising, and program management.
Exploring Local Opportunities
Given that you’re located in Albany, New York, it’s beneficial to explore local job markets that align with your interests:
Research local organizations that focus on education, healthcare, community services, or corporate sectors where project management or HR roles are prevalent.
Attend networking events or workshops related to your fields of interest; these can provide insights into available positions and help you connect with professionals who share similar interests.
Skill Development
Regardless of the path you choose:
Consider taking online courses or attending workshops related to your desired field. Platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning offer valuable resources for skill enhancement.
Networking is crucial; reach out to professionals in your target fields through platforms like LinkedIn for informational interviews.
Conclusion
Transitioning careers can be daunting but also rewarding when aligned with your personal values and work preferences. By focusing on roles that emphasize teamwork while allowing for structure and autonomy—such as project management, human resources, education/training specialist roles, consulting, or nonprofit positions—you can find a fulfilling career path that supports your desire for continued growth.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides comprehensive data on job outlooks across various industries including salary ranges and employment trends.
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): Offers insights into HR practices including certifications which can aid in career transitions into human resources roles.
Project Management Institute (PMI): Supplies information about project management methodologies along with certification options that support career advancement in this field.
God Bless You!
JC.
Thank you so much, James Constantine!
Aimee
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
299
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
These will help you in choosing a career.
Read the book 'Careers Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Future by Dorling Kindersley'
Access the World Economic Forum's future of jobs report for 2023 to understand jobs current and near future trends through the link below:
https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
Read job descriptions to know where you fit in, or desire in any of the websites below:
https://www.betterteam.com/job-description
https://www.indeed.com/hire/how-to-write-a-job-description
https://www.careerplanner.com/JobDescSearchTool.cfm
Read the book 'Careers Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Future by Dorling Kindersley'
Access the World Economic Forum's future of jobs report for 2023 to understand jobs current and near future trends through the link below:
https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2023/
Read job descriptions to know where you fit in, or desire in any of the websites below:
https://www.betterteam.com/job-description
https://www.indeed.com/hire/how-to-write-a-job-description
https://www.careerplanner.com/JobDescSearchTool.cfm
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
353
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi, Aimee, that is a tough spot, but it is terrific that you are seeking assistance. Since the preferences you shared are pretty general, I might suggest taking some career assessments. There are free ones online but I cannot vouch for most of them. I have included links below from the University of Pennsylvania , MIT, and the College Board because they are credible.
But I suggest going to the career center at your school first. They will likely have a free or very low-cost assessment that they have vetted. Also a counselor there should be able to guide you after further conversation.
Also, several of the characteristics you mentioned - such as structure, autonomy, and continued learning - should be present in most careers. You may also want to think about the types of organizations to work for. For example, start-up's are often high in autonomy but low in structure. Large organizations are often high in structure, but lower in autonomy. Maybe you could set up informational interviews with alumni of your college to refine your preferences for types of employers as well.
Good luck!
UPenn article - https://careerservices.upenn.edu/blog/2024/03/19/484551/
College Board - https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/career-search/career-quiz
MIT - https://capd.mit.edu/resources/free-career-aptitude-tests/
But I suggest going to the career center at your school first. They will likely have a free or very low-cost assessment that they have vetted. Also a counselor there should be able to guide you after further conversation.
Also, several of the characteristics you mentioned - such as structure, autonomy, and continued learning - should be present in most careers. You may also want to think about the types of organizations to work for. For example, start-up's are often high in autonomy but low in structure. Large organizations are often high in structure, but lower in autonomy. Maybe you could set up informational interviews with alumni of your college to refine your preferences for types of employers as well.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Aimee
Som Chatterjee
Consultant
17
Answers
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Som’s Answer
Hello Aimee,
It's great to see that you've pinpointed what matters most to you in a career - that's the first step towards finding the right job fit. While no job is perfect, it's often necessary to weigh the pros and cons of our current position before deciding on a career path. Considering your emphasis on continuous learning and growth, you might want to look into the consulting field. Consultants need to rapidly understand their client's industry, but they're also expected to possess deep knowledge in a specific area.
The education sector, particularly higher education, aligns with many of your career preferences. However, it's likely you won't be working independently most of the time unless you venture into academic research. Even then, you'll eventually work in teams and the pace can be fast as you'll need to frequently submit papers and presentations.
Non-profit organizations could also be a good fit, as they often embody many of the aspects you've highlighted as important. Remember, no job is perfect. The key is to find a career that broadly aligns with your preferences and dive in with passion and enthusiasm.
It's great to see that you've pinpointed what matters most to you in a career - that's the first step towards finding the right job fit. While no job is perfect, it's often necessary to weigh the pros and cons of our current position before deciding on a career path. Considering your emphasis on continuous learning and growth, you might want to look into the consulting field. Consultants need to rapidly understand their client's industry, but they're also expected to possess deep knowledge in a specific area.
The education sector, particularly higher education, aligns with many of your career preferences. However, it's likely you won't be working independently most of the time unless you venture into academic research. Even then, you'll eventually work in teams and the pace can be fast as you'll need to frequently submit papers and presentations.
Non-profit organizations could also be a good fit, as they often embody many of the aspects you've highlighted as important. Remember, no job is perfect. The key is to find a career that broadly aligns with your preferences and dive in with passion and enthusiasm.
Linda Mire
Interior Design
137
Answers
Lake Charles
Updated
Linda’s Answer
Aimee, I t can be really tuff to figure out what will for fill your hearts desire as far as a career. This decision will effect every aspect of your entire life and with the weight of that in mind careful thought is mandatory. You have to try everything possible to find your passion. Try on alot of hats till the right one fits. It may be something completely obscure so you have to be courious and pay attention to the small nuisances vyeing for your attention so you don't miss any opertunity. Keep your head up and be present, be brave and don't be discouraged by failure it is vital and nessussery to teach us all we need to keep moving towards success and happiness. Do not allow disappointment to rule your emotions and your time is set to your own clock only as long as it remains progressive. Good luck on you journey and a happy life spent.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Career changes can be tough. Before making any changes, I would simply go network and talk with other people about what they do. Ask them what they like about their job and what they don’t.
There are so many different career opportunities out there, you might just stumble upon an answer by asking questions.
There are so many different career opportunities out there, you might just stumble upon an answer by asking questions.
Kevin P Hust, MBA
Risk Administration and Army Officer
201
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Kevin P’s Answer
Good morning Aimee, well I can say that finding the balance teamwork and an enjoyable role is one of the more difficult ones. It can truly be one that wears you out.
I can say this might take some trial and error. You may need to start talking to some hiring managers and recruiters to get a better understanding of what the role is.
I say that because sometimes the job description is not really good. It doesn’t actually cover what you will do and how you will do it.
I would definitely focus on roles that emphasize teamwork and that are fast paced.
Now there are other factors to consider that I can’t speak on, do you like to work in front of a computer? Indoors or outdoors? Standing or sedentary. So there is alot more to consider.
You have options. That’s the good news. But some more self reflection is needed.
Stay in it, you can do this!
I can say this might take some trial and error. You may need to start talking to some hiring managers and recruiters to get a better understanding of what the role is.
I say that because sometimes the job description is not really good. It doesn’t actually cover what you will do and how you will do it.
I would definitely focus on roles that emphasize teamwork and that are fast paced.
Now there are other factors to consider that I can’t speak on, do you like to work in front of a computer? Indoors or outdoors? Standing or sedentary. So there is alot more to consider.
You have options. That’s the good news. But some more self reflection is needed.
Stay in it, you can do this!