I’ve noticed recently that many people in my Sober Club community are facing big life changes, Some are super exciting, and have come about because their sobriety has meant they are feeling brave and ready for a change in lifestyle and career, but Big life changes can be terrifying, stressful, and exhilarating. Not every big life change, however, happens fast. There can be beauty in the planning!
A US guest writer has summed it all up in this post:
When you are planning for a big life change like an entire career change or moving somewhere entirely new, you need to take extra care. Huge changes like these, especially if they are combined with physically, emotionally, or mentally demanding days, can wear you down faster and more easily than you may expect.
The good news is that there are many tools and resources out there that can and will help you better manage the stress and anxieties you may have in the face of this next big life change. These tips can help those who are looking to change careers and can even help those who have just become parents or who are going through any other similar big life change. The commonality? Self-care. By putting your health and wellbeing first, and by using these tips, you can more easily embrace the new and complete your goals:
Retraining Tips And Tricks
If your big career change requires you to further your training or even retrain in new skills then it can be daunting, but it is not impossible. Even if you need to earn a degree there are ways to speed up the process so that you can get back on track career-wise and start to really feel the benefits of the switch.
1. Accelerate Your Degree
If earning a degree is either an essential prerequisite before you can make your career change, or something you find valuable enough to pursue regardless, then always look for accelerated degree options. You can accelerate your next degree if you already have a degree under your belt. You accelerate it simply by just transferring the credits you already have towards courses you have already taken. Instead of taking the same units as you did in your previous degree you can instead focus on what makes this next degree different.
You can do this even with STEM degrees, including those that are necessary before you can earn a license. Take nursing, for example. There is an online nursing degree for non nurses that allows you to transfer credits and graduate sooner. Though you will be accelerated through the BSN you can still use that credential to then take the NCLEX exam and, eventually, earn your nursing license.
2. Take Short Courses And Workshops
If you don’t need a degree then you will want to find courses or workshops that offer certification and training. This is particularly useful for those who need to use professional tools, but don’t have the work experience or personal portfolio necessary to get the jobs they want.
When looking for short courses or workshops always consider the certification and how recognized these courses are in the industry you want to work within. If you want to get started as a graphic designer, for example, you will want to find not only an Adobe course, but one that is commonly recommended within the marketing industry.
In short, you want the people who you want to hire you to actually know what certifications you have received.
3. Read And Follow Industry News
If you want to make a career change you need to know what you are getting into. That is why you need to read and follow the news for your new industry or role. Not only is this how you will be able to fit into the lingo and make yourself invaluable in this new career faster, it can also be how you identify unique opportunities that you alone are qualified for.
4. Build Your Own Portfolio
Where possible it is always useful to build a portfolio of your own. This can even help those in otherwise straightforward career changes like nursing. If your ultimate goal is to work in nurse leadership, for example, starting a blog or guest posting about the issues affecting nursing today and the best ways to handle it in your opinion is a great way to start taking a stance and being a leader (at least online).
Your portfolio will be even more important when you want to work in an industry that works on a project-by-project basis. Building your solo portfolio is a great way to get experience and show your talent all at once.
5. Applying Your Previous Skill Set To Your New Career
You aren’t ridding yourself of your previous skills to start this second career. There are many ways that you can take your previous skills and use them to get a leg up in this new career of yours. If you were a manager, for example, you can use that experience in your new nursing career by setting yourself apart as a leader. You will still need to earn further certifications to advance, but you will make yourself perfect for leadership roles at your current level simply because of your previous experience in another industry.
Networking Tips And Tricks
Regardless of the training you do you will always want to network. Networking is the best way to get involved in any new industry since you can essentially sell yourself and your skills in a soft, non-invasive way. Knowing the right people can open doors that simply would never have been available to you otherwise.
The internet, thankfully, makes it easy. You can network using job sites and platforms, can get in touch with others on social media, and even build a following of your own. Networking the right way means doing it the long way, and an extra little trick that works well is to see how you can help others, before you ever ask for help personally. If you can make yourself invaluable in one way or another you will be remembered. From there you can then discuss options, and because you have proven yourself in at least one way you will find those in your network more open to helping you out.
Don’t forget Coaching can be a very satisfying career, or to add on to existing skills, contact Janey for more info on The Sober club Accredited Coach Training programme.