Changing careers can be exciting and rewarding, but also challenging and risky. How can you make sure you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to succeed in a new field before taking the plunge? Here are some tips to help you gain experience in a new field before making a career change.
The first step to gaining experience in a new field is to identify your goals and gaps. What are you passionate about? What are the skills and qualifications required for your desired role? How do they match your current abilities and credentials? Conduct a self-assessment and a market research to find out what you need to learn and improve. You can use online tools, such as career quizzes, skill tests, or job boards, to help you with this process.
1. Do an online course or an evening training if available 2. If legally allowed, moonlight as an intern or a volunteer 3. Toy with AI tools like bard and chatgpt 4. Research, research and more research online
I think it's good to identify why you want to change careers and what exactly you need to get there. By identifying the gaps, you will be able to provide a structure guide on your next steps. It also gives you an opportunity to answer the question of 'why?' when people are curious (that includes you recruiter/interviewer)
The next step is to explore learning opportunities that can help you fill your gaps and achieve your goals. There are many ways to learn new skills and knowledge, such as online courses, certifications, books, podcasts, webinars, or workshops. Choose the ones that suit your learning style, budget, and schedule. Look for reputable sources, such as industry experts, professional associations, or accredited institutions. Set realistic and measurable learning objectives and track your progress.
I would definitely suggest exploring LinkedIn Learning to get the basics on the field your interested in. Perhaps list down the skillsets you need to get ahead in the career change, and subscribe to newsletters related to stay ahead. You can also look internally in your current organisation if topics around your interest are discussed, and if there's an opportunity to be involved in a project on it as it would be helpful to gain knowledge seamlessly without impacting too much of your current routine.
For me perhaps this is the most powerful way. To give my personal example, I am very much interested in Artificial Intelligence as I see it will be the big thing of the future especially in data science, communication, and reporting. To get there, currently I am exploring AI scholarships to take online courses for Master Degree. What I want to say is, learning and acquiring skills in advance of the career people want to shift to is very important. Acquiring skills, experience, and knowledge of an occupation of interest before making a career transition, not only will increase the odds of employability but will make someone comfortable in performing their duties and to deliver results as per their job description.
Another way to gain experience in a new field is to seek feedback and mentoring from people who are already working in that field. They can offer you valuable insights, advice, and guidance on how to navigate the industry, build your network, and showcase your skills. You can find mentors through online platforms, such as LinkedIn, or offline events, such as conferences, meetups, or career fairs. Be respectful, curious, and proactive when reaching out to potential mentors. Ask for constructive feedback and act on it.
One of the most effective ways to gain experience in a new field is to volunteer or intern for an organization or a project that is related to your desired career. This can help you gain hands-on experience, demonstrate your abilities, and make connections. You can look for volunteer or intern opportunities through online platforms, such as Idealist, VolunteerMatch, or Indeed, or offline channels, such as local nonprofits, community groups, or professional associations. Be flexible, enthusiastic, and committed when applying for and performing these roles.
This too is one way to facilitate career change. In my experience I did one volunteering and internship. Both were on environment management. As I was fresh from the university, I had only classes experience but not work experience. I volunteered with an Environment NGO dealing with forest management and conservation. I gained skills including project monitoring and evaluation. I interned with an environmental consultancy firm. With the firm I was able to acquire field practical experience on environmental and social impact assessment. Now I look back to those volunteering and intern positions and I realize that they made who I am today. I acquired vital skills before embarking on environment career where I am flourishing now.
Finally, you can gain experience in a new field by creating a portfolio or a project that showcases your skills and knowledge. This can be a website, a blog, a podcast, a video, a presentation, or any other format that is relevant to your field. You can use your portfolio or project to highlight your achievements, showcase your creativity, and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. You can share your portfolio or project online, such as on your personal website, social media, or online portfolio platforms, or offline, such as at events, workshops, or interviews.