Like many of you out there, I am sure you have considered a ton of new career choices over the past few years and/or career transitioning into new roles. The eternal question of Career Transitions & You: Is The Grass Actually Greener?
For a long time, I felt that the grass might be greener and my reactions would appear similar to the character, Dug, the dog from ‘Up’
While I knew I always wanted to end up in Education, I felt compelled to try this greener grass and explored different career choices. SQUIRREL!
During my four years in university I switched majors about 7 times (Sports Business, Marketing, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, and lastly Education).
Fortunately for me, the past four years I have worked in recruitment, training and social media and I have finally discovered the greenest grass possible and my true calling: Higher Education Admissions and Career Advisement. I want to work with college students in regards to discovering their career development whilst in university. There is no looking back now!
While the positions I have held taught me about business practices, recruitment strategies, cold calling and sales, they have also allowed me to learn how the business world operates and conducts itself. If it was not for these experiences, I would have missed my true calling which was discovered through the conversations with thousands upon thousands of potential candidates looking for new job opportunity beyond graduation.
After closing the chapter in my last position, I am now ready to find myself a new role. I want a career transition. Was I prepared for changing opportunities? No. Was I ecstatic for such a big change? No. But I am grateful for this moment because I am ready for a career change. I can almost smell that freshly cut grass.
One of the things that I appreciate the most is the networking tenacity that Adecco has taught me. The myriad of colleagues who I have met and gotten to know have each showed me a different way to connect with people and reach my potential – for that I am very thankful. I am not leaving because the grass is greener. I am leaving because I want to be in a career that will combine my love of business and education.
Now, before you get all excited and jumping for joy. Just keep one thing in mind and before you jump ship, ask yourself, “Is the Grass Actually Greener enough for me to make a Career Transition?”
If you spend even just a few moments to research this answer, you may just save yourself from a lifetime of regrets and ‘what-if’s.
1) Analyze the Work Environment/Current position. First things first, are there areas for advancement in this current position? If you want to grow within your position or advance be sure that you are in the right job that will allow you to accomplish this goal.
On the flip side do you foresee your current job disappearing anywhere in the next year? 5 years? 10 years? I understand this might be a challenge but by turning those wheels in your mind, it might help you find reason in staying or leaving a position instead of just stagnating.
Push yourself.
2) Apply internally. As I say to anyone who I have helped with career development, before you up and leave an opportunity try look within your company or current position and build the skills you would like to use in your next position. Hey, you might end up liking this new strategical approach and end up staying in your position; or you will utilize that experience to propel you forward with another opportunity.
3) Research that green grass. If you are positive that a career transition is in place for you, then conduct some intensive research. You need to make sure that this transition is right for you and will help your current situation.
Some new positions require additional schooling or certifications.
4) Organize your resume/cover letters. If you are actively job seeking, the resume and cover letter need to be spot on and perfect. No exceptions. Now that you are focused on a career transition remember to RELATE your current skills to the skills being sought for each position. While some jobs require additional degrees and years of experience, many of these jobs have skills that are transferable from other fields.
5. Go with your gut. Changing careers is scary. Very scary. The ‘what-if’ and ‘grass is greener’ mentality sets in and the idea of committing to anything becomes more and more challenging. But if you can relax a bit, the process will give you confidence in your abilities and you will hopefully be starting a position in a field that you are truly passionate about.
Have any of you ever transitioned careers before and lived to tell the tale? Let’s hear it! Is the grass actually greener? is it browner?