Navigating a Career Transition: Lessons I’ve Learned Along the Way

If you were looking for a beginner's guide to career management, you've found it! Although this is the last installment for the beginner's guide, here are the first two articles "Taking Ownership of Your Career" and "What No One Tells You About Managing Your Career". For more career insights, join this newsletter or subscribe on Careerbluprint.com.

~Stacey

As someone who has gone through several career transitions, I know firsthand how daunting it can be to navigate the unknown. Whether you’re switching careers entirely or simply transitioning to a new role within your current field, the process can be both exciting and overwhelming. But with the right mindset and approach, it can also be incredibly rewarding.

I’ve been fortunate to have three career paths and each one has added to the depth of my knowledge and experience in the media and tech industry.

As I look back over my career, I can still remember the concerns, doubts, and sleepless nights I’ve had wrangling with different scenarios about where my career was going. As I reflect, there were three pivotal moments in my career that appeared to be rejection. However, in actuality, it was a transition that turned into a new pathway to success.

• Technology?— I wanted to work in the newsroom at CNN but instead was hired at Cartoon Network in master control. This was the beginning of my background in tech.
• Production?— Several years later I applied for jobs in content administration but was offered a role at Turner Studios. This was the beginning of my background in production.
• Learning?— I pursued a leadership role in project management and instead was reassigned to a role leading tech human capital management. This was the beginning of my foundation in learning & development.

Interestingly enough, my experiences in tech, production, and learning all play significant parts of my role as a learning leader. In hindsight this was not something I could have planned or imagined.

Here are key lessons I’ve learned along the way that have helped me successfully navigate career transitions:

Embrace the uncertainty.?One of the biggest challenges of a career transition is the uncertainty that comes with it. Will you be successful in your new role? Will you like the work? Will you fit in with your new team? These are all valid questions, but it’s important to remember that uncertainty is a natural part of the process. Instead of fearing the unknown, embrace it. Take it as an opportunity to grow and learn new things about yourself and your abilities.

Focus on transferable skills.?One of the benefits of a career transition is the opportunity to apply your existing skills and experience in a new way. Rather than starting from scratch, focus on identifying the transferable skills that will serve you well in your new role. For example, if you’re transitioning from marketing to project management, you may find that your skills in communication, organization, and collaboration are valuable in both roles.

PRO TIP:?If you are unsure how to identify your transferable skills or what skill gaps you may have for your next job, try this.

• Locate the job posting of a role you want.
• Create a checklist by dissecting the job by the required and desired skills. Individually list the responsibilities and tasks.
• Review your resume and as you identify the similarities between your experiences and the job posting, put a check next to it.
• What is left, if anything, will be the gaps you need to close. Devise a plan to develop the new skills, including how you will gain experience.

Be willing to learn.?No matter how much experience you have, there will always be a learning curve when transitioning to a new career or role. Be open to learning new skills and approaches, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance when needed. This is a time to be humble and receptive to feedback, as it will ultimately help you succeed in your new role.

Talk to your colleagues.?One of the most important things you can do is get insights from people in the roles you desire. While everyone may have a different expectation, you can still gain valuable information about what you may encounter. Asking the right questions can help you determine whether to move forward or move on.

Career Resources

At the end of the day, a career transition can be a challenging and rewarding experience. It requires a willingness to embrace uncertainty, a focus on transferable skills, and a commitment to learning and growth. But with the right mindset and approach, you can successfully navigate the transition and emerge even stronger on the other side. For more on career transitions, check out my curated list of resources below to give you deeper insights. And don't keep all this great info to yourself, share this newsletter with a friend!

GET STARTED WITH FREE RESOURCES

The Right Way to Make a Big Career Transition: (Harvard Business Review) Get a glimpse into how the author describes the planning process for making a career transition. Learn about Jeff Bezo's big career move and the "regret minimization framework".

How to Change Industries or Careers with No Experience: (Indeed.com) With so much change happening in the world, who has time to get a degree just to make a career move? If you are considering changing industries or career paths, it all starts with your transferable skills. Learn how to position yourself so you are not starting over.

10 Career Quizzes to Help You Find a New Job: (Glassdoor) One of the most perplexing career questions is, what do you want to do? Sometimes there is not an innate feeling about the career path you should take, and passions don't always lead to income. So what do you do? Here's where data and insights about yourself can help. Check out these 10 quizzes to become more self-aware before you start down a path.

~Stacey

Stacey Young Rivers, Ph.D.?is a talent development executive with expertise in developing strategies to close skills gaps and build talent pipelines, she is also a mom,?author, and?researcher?who loves sharing insights about the career journey.?

Check out her forthcoming book “Career Bluprint: 21 Learning “Soul-lutions to Achieving Your Career Goals”?and?sign up to get more insights.