How to Make a Career Change
Isn't this the knowledgeable, professional face of someone you'd trust your career to?
After the enormously heartfelt response to my post on Wednesday (thanks, B!) I decided to make April all about the kitchen. The post ideas just kept coming to me: gourmet recipes, interviews with renowned chefs, a day in the life of celebrity food personalities like Nigella and Giada. You know, all the exciting, behind-the-scenes content I divulge here regularly.
In the meantime, I wanted to finish what I started on Wednesday, which was a tribute to myself for making a change and being in a new field for five years now. Congratulations to me.
Making a career change is terrifying. Not just because you're going headfirst into an arena you know nothing about. Not just because you might be going from a well compensated job to minimum wage. Not just because -
Actually, that about sums it up. You're willingly making less money to be more uncomfortable.
Hang in there, because it's going to get so much better. Hopefully these
-Do your homework
If you're finally going for it and following your dreams, you've probably been researching said dream for awhile and have a reasonable outline of action steps. This is one time when you can't overplan; whatever research you've done, make sure it's updated and accurate and not from when this was your pipe dream after graduation (ten years ago).
-Plan for a pay cut
Personally, I've never A) made a lot of money, or B) cared about making a lot of money. This was helpful when I made the shift from the office to the kitchen, where I went from a good salary and perks like health insurance and stock options to making $10 an hour. Benefits? Insurance? LOLs. If you're going to be starting with an entry level job in your new chosen field, prepare yourself for a similar situation. Perks like retirement plans and health insurance might not be typical of your new job, so consider what this means for your new standard of living.
-Put your pride aside
Expect to be a small fish in a big pond. Maybe you were a director at your old job, with ten people reporting to you and an assistant to pick up your dry cleaning and coffee. But you hated that job, remember? In your new role, maybe you're the assistant picking up the dry cleaning and coffee. Nothing is beneath you when you're making a career change; making copies, running errands, peeling potatoes, you name it. And don't feel dumb because you don't know everything yet; there's a huge learning curve when you switch careers, even if it's something you've always been passionate about or interested in. Whether you back in the classroom prepping for the new job or standing around uncertainly while you're there, don't be too proud to ask for help. Your new colleagues and employer want you to succeed.
-Time it right
This doesn't mean wait for your life to be perfect so you can seamlessly leave your current job and enter your new one without a hitch. This will never happen; there's always going to be a reason to stick it out at your miserable, soul-sucking workplace. But maybe you need to go back to school or register for a course that's only offered during a certain time of the year. Plan giving your notice around your new semester so you're not without an income for too long. Try to get a job before leaving your current one, even if it's not the job you see for yourself long-term. I went from a professional salaried job to making $10 an hour at a supermarket bakery because it was the first bakery job I could get. Put yourself out there and you'll be surprised at what you find.
-You're never too old
I was 26 when I went back to school for baking and pastry; writing this now seems ridiculous, as I'm thinking to myself 26 is still practically a child, you're not helping anyone here, but at the time, I was terrified. 26 is still relatively young, but I'd been out of school for five years and hate drastic change of any kind. Don't count yourself out because you're embarrassed or afraid or because it's too late; if you're still here, it's not too late.
-Be honest with yourself
Quitting your job and making a major career change isn't something you do on a whim. Maybe it's been a shitty day and your colleague won't stop singing Cardi B and your boss is one email away from you strangling him with your charger. Newsflash: people are obnoxious at every job, even your dream one. Making a career change is something you do because you have to, because looking back in 50 years and wondering what if I'd actually done it is worse than being forced to listen to Cardi B against your will. Not much worse, but a little.
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