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Changing careers? Oh, it was never easy for me. I had to deal with my sinking finances, my cries and chaotic emotions, and, worst of all, my fear of other people’s opinions.
“What would people say? What would I become?”
The future scared me, especially when I was still starting adulthood.
But now that I’m in my late 20s, thankfully, I’ve gained clarity with who I am and what I want.
And changing careers? It’s clear to me now that it’s not always a bad thing!
It may even promote more growth in your life.
In this post, let’s discuss how we can swiftly change our career paths without feeling scared and uncertain about our future.
Let’s start with my mistakes, which, of course, we wouldn’t want happening to you!
The Mistakes I Made When I Changed Career Paths
Don’t do these, ‘kay?
1. Leaving Abruptly
I’m a serial job-hopper in my early 20s. Not because I enjoy exploring new jobs, but because I get pretty overwhelmed with life that I always want to quit and apply to another one.
One of the worst steps I took was to go AWOL (absence without leave) at my first job in customer support.
With all the angry customers cussing and getting mad at me all day long, I had no choice but to abruptly quit and leave everyone—my managers, colleagues, and friends—hanging.
Like a magician, I was just… gone. Poof! No one saw me ever again.
I’m telling you now, this didn’t end well career-wise, relationship-wise, and for myself.
In the first month, people were contacting me, and all I felt was like a hunted boar that tried to run away from my predator – well, the job.
I felt embarrassed to tell the people around me that my first job didn’t go well. I didn’t go anywhere near our office for years for fear of running into my colleagues.
AND I didn’t get any employment certification, which made me look like a newbie once again, so my salary is again at entry level.
This is one thing we must not do – cutting everyone and everything off.
It was a lot of stress!
2. Had No Cash Saved Up
One major oversight was not having any cash saved up. I think my last money was three days’ worth of my income. Yikes.
Even though I felt free for a while after leaving the workplace, I quickly realized that these bills don’t stop coming.
I had to ask for my family’s help. I applied for jobs. I was getting desperate sooner than I imagined.
So before leaving your current job, ensure you’ve saved enough to cover at least six months of daily and monthly expenses.
To operate and make the right decisions, you need to feel safe financially and not be tormented by the uncertainties of a new career.
This financial cushion provides peace of mind, I tell you!
How To Change Career Paths
Now that we’ve discussed about the don’ts, we now move forward to the must-dos. Here we go:
1. Let your new career choice make a gradual entrance.
Want to change careers? Well, you don’t need to quit your current job immediately. Instead, ease into it.
Slowly, but surely.
For example, while still working as a teacher, I began writing online as a side hustle. I teach during the day and write articles at night.
This allowed me to test the waters and see if a writing career could work for me, without giving up my main source of income.
It’s important not to rush the process.
Walk into your new career while slowly stepping away from the old one. This approach makes the change less daunting and more manageable!
2. Save up cash as a safety net.
Unlike my abrupt transition, where I soon became too desperate to find a job, it’s better to have an emergency fund, a fallback in times of crisis.
The rule of thumb is to have at least 3-6 months’ worth of emergency funds. Consider your dependents, mortgages, and difficulty finding another job.
Again, this is your financial cushion.
If your career shift doesn’t go as planned, you won’t feel trapped. The money you saved up gives you the time and resources to rebuild and regain your footing.
3. Make new connections and leverage the ones you have.
Ah, yes, I’m only realizing now how important connections are.
Our former colleagues could become valuable members of our professional network, so leaving on good terms can be beneficial in the long run.
I just recently stumbled upon my old professors (who also became my colleagues) when I attended my sister’s college graduation.
And you know what? After hearing that I wanted to teach again, they bombarded me with opportunities. They were so cool!
We may sometimes hate the guts, or have minor issues with people, but after 5 to 10 years, the very same people we disliked and avoided can actually be the same people who would contact us as future clients, collaborators, or references.
Therefore, avoid burning bridges and make a tiny-bitsy effort to stay in touch!
Also, it’s an effort to make new connections and be in the sphere related to the new path you’re eyeing.
Gain experience and build your skills. Connect with people who can help you in your new career, whether they’re mentors, peers, or industry professionals.
Network, network, network!
You may like this: 28 Things I Learned Now That I’m 28
4. Don’t be held back by fear or regrets.
Don’t worry too much about other people’s opinions, whether they’re your colleagues or parents.
As an Asian, it’s my parents that I was worried about the most, especially when I was in my early 20s.
They would nag me for months, and my mom? My mom cries whenever she’s disappointed so just imagine the emotional and mental strain.
My father, on the other hand, would advise against our choices and tell us to be prompt and committed to our work.
But you see, the times are changing.
While their advice may come from a place of experience, the truth is that “job security” isn’t as reliable as it once was.
Instead, focus on nurturing your skills, even if it means changing careers.
Don’t let fear of potential judgments stop you from pursuing a new path.
Who knows, you might end up in a place people around you has never set foot in.
Live aligning with your strengths, and who knows, you’ll find a job you actually enjoy.
5. Be purposeful with your goals.
What is your goal, really?
We’re here for lifelong learning, so invest in yourself, your skills, and your experience.
If your new career choice requires degrees, I encourage you to work on those.
This time, we don’t just shoot our bullets and hope we hit the mark. Rather, be purposeful with your goals.
I, myself, am thinking of going back to teaching and will soon take a master’s degree. Not for the money and potential promotion but to be as effective as possible as a teacher.
On the other hand, some careers, like writing, may not require formal degrees, so it may have a different set of goals and requirements to win in this industry.
You can be a writer if you keep writing helpful information, write well, and are committed to the job. So, if you’re considering a career shift, consider the next steps you need to take.
Be purposeful in investing in yourself. Lock in on that target.
That’s it! These are the insights I gathered from the many years I job-hopped, the mistakes, and the better paths we can take as we change careers.
I hope this helps you along the way.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
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