What do you want to be when you grow up? You may remember being asked that when you were young. It’s easy for an eight year old to answer this. Things like firefighter, policeman, or teacher come to mind. But the answer can be harder for adults.
Change has been a constant with careers. In past generations, people would ask you where you worked for a living. Most people got their paycheck from a major corporation like Ford Motor Company, IBM, or Dupont. With that employer was the expectation of life-long employment.
Things are different now. People ask what you do for a living. Answers like nurse, lawyer, and sales rep are given. Career paths are not as linear as they used to be. On the surface it makes it difficult for someone who wants to look into rewarding careers. However, in the right circumstances this diversity of work can be the opportunity to start a rewarding career.
Career Transition
When you are in college, it seems as if your course is set. You choose a major in a field you think you will excel in. As expected, you begin an entry level job in that industry. But as your career starts to develop, you see new opportunities that may suit you.
Just because you start in one field does not mean you cannot find a rewarding career in another. You may have the skills and passion to truly excel in another area. You are a project manager for an IT company with years of corporate success. The thing is you have a passion for travel. Combine your business savvy with a travel company to get the both worlds.
Set a course for change by identifying your transferable skills. Just because you worked in sales does not mean you are limited to a corporate environment. You have a love for baseball. Using your sales skills and love for the game can lead to a rewarding career, like marketing for your local semi-pro baseball team.
Networking
Networking is the most consistent way to find employment. Most available jobs are not advertised. Employers are not interested in just hiring someone for their qualifications on the resume. They want the person with the right attitude that is the good fit with their company.
Some people may be reluctant to get into networking because it is viewed as schmoozing. Some may not be comfortable with putting themselves out there to advance their career. One tool that may help with successful networking is social media. These mediums have an inherent aspect of transparency where someone can be genuine in their approach.
Take the site LinkedIn as an example. Participants can engage in group discussions, answer questions, and present topics in their field. As they participate more on the site, they display their expertise and knowledge. They are able to connect with others in an authentic way through participation and dialog. Connecting with the right person could lead to a rewarding career.
Organizational Culture
One of the advantages of working for a progressive company is to recognize engagement of talent. A major issue that companies are dealing with is career succession. The average time a person spends with a company is three years before they transition to another organization. Some companies are facing difficulty filling key roles because of this turnover.
If you are in an organization with that recognizes engagement, there may be opportunities within your reach. The right combination of skills and experience can lead to a rewarding career within your organization. Take advantages of opportunities such as trainings and new openings that can benefit you and the company.
Old barriers of work have been taken down. There is less definition and structure with how you make your livelihood. The chance to start a rewarding career can happen at any time. Keep your skills current and recognize opportunities when they develop.
Featured photo credit: Deval Patrick via flickr.com
