If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or simply ready for a change in your life, you might consider switching careers. For most people, this isn’t a simple transition. You’ll need to consider your options carefully, get the education and training necessary to move to a new field, and start building career momentum from the ground up.
With the help of online resources, this is easier than ever. But how can you use these online tools to choose the right career for you—and begin your journey in pursuing it?
IMAGE: UNSPLASH
Introspection And Analysis
First, you should do something that doesn’t require the use of online resources—you should reflect, and consider why you’re leaving your current career. There are a number of variables that might be influencing you, and it pays to study all of them. These are variables you should avoid in your future work, if possible.
For example, are you simply burned out and tired of doing the same thing over and over? Your next job should offer more variation and novelty. Do you hate the inconsistent hours and high stress? Something more consistent and laid back could be ideal. Think about your goals and what’s important to you; it will be much easier to research prospective career paths if you do.
Researching Prospective Career Paths
Next, you can start using online tools to research your prospective career paths.
- Discovery and initial planning. Phase one is simply generating a list of potential careers you could follow. Here, any search engine can help you. Search for “career ideas” with variables that are important to you. For example, you could look for careers that are projected to be in high demand, or careers that pay exceptionally well. Be open to a wide range of recommendations and resources here; you never know what you might find.
- Salary information. It’s also a good idea to look up the salary information for each job in your field. Here, a tool like Glassdoor can help. Make sure you determine the average salary for someone in this career in your geographic area, as this can vary wildly from place to place.
- Education and training requirements. Are there education and training requirements for this position? If so, how long will it take you to prepare? There may be much to learn in this area; for example, the requirements for CPA certification will vary by state, and it may take some time to learn exactly what those requirements are.
- Success stories and horror stories. Look throughout forums and social media to find anecdotes from people who are currently in this career. What are their greatest triumphs and moments of happiness in this career? What are their greatest failures and moments of misery? This will help you get a fuller picture of what you can expect.
- Video of people in action. It may also be beneficial to look up videos of people in action in this career, so you can see exactly what the work is like.
Networking And Connections
Social media platforms like LinkedIn are especially valuable for people seeking careers. Use these platforms to join groups and connect with other individuals, building your network along the way.
- Learning about the career. Connect with people who are also in this career, and learn from their experience. Do they have any tips or suggestions for you? Do they even recommend this career to others?
- Getting a foot in the door. New connections could also be a “foot in the door” for your new career. After you get the necessary education and training, your connections could help you find an entry-level position.
- Receiving mentorship. In some cases, networking can also help you find mentorship. You can work with this person directly to learn more about your career, and guide your development as a professional.
Online Learning And Training
Depending on the nature of your career, you may be able to tap into online resources as part of your ongoing education and training. For example, Codecademy is a website designed to help people learn how to code for free, and Coursera has thousands of free courses from more than 200 universities and companies from around the world. If you look for the information you need, you’ll probably find it.
Starting Your Own Business
If you’re not sure what career path sounds interesting to you, consider starting a business of your own. You can tap into online resources to learn how to write a business plan, connect with investors and partners, and even get help from government programs.
No matter what’s forcing you out of your current job or what kind of new career you’re interested in, online resources can help. Keep an open mind, do your research, and remain adaptable to find the best fit for your needs.
If you are interested in even more lifestyle-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.
COMMENTS