I was speaking on a panel for job transition and my topic was networking. I enjoy these panels because job transition is such a mix of confusion for people and it is so overwhelming so anything I can do to shed some light or give some positive energy and information to a person in this situation feels right. One gentleman said that he was exploring a change of career and had been advised by people in the industry that this was a terrible time to explore that because there are so many well qualified people on the market right now. Why would anyone take a chance on him? Two different people said this to him and he was asking if that was right, that there was no hope for him to make this change and that he should forget about going back to school to learn more in this field. I can’t stand these blanket statements. We all make them and probably with the best of intentions and they are completely bogus. I told this man that if this was a change he was really passionate about he should do it. Yes, he might have to make some sacrifices such as starting at the bottom, getting more education but ultimately you need to be doing what you really like/love to do. Or you should at least really enjoy what you do. You spend so much of your life in it.
They say changing an industry or changing a role is possible but to try not to do both at the same time and I would agree that this conventional wisdom is true. Changing both at the same time will require more sacrifice and more ingenuity but I won’t say it can’t be done. First see if you can make a change of industry/organization within the type of role you have held before then once you have proven you’re a valuable addition to the organization making the role change will be easier. Or make a change within your organization to a role that will give you needed experience to prove your abilities to move to a new organization. This is definitely the easier way. But don’t discount your options before you have explored them. Are there organizations you can become a member of which may not directly equal a job but will get you near others in the field? Can you create connections and work with non profits in your desired sector to show people your interest and drive? Don’t let anyone tell you what isn’t possible, not even yourself.
