Make a career change

Make a Career Change

 The decision to change careers may often feel overwhelming or confusing. You might not feel certain a career change is right for you, or you might wonder if it is a risk worth taking. If you are in the plastics industry or looking to enter the plastics industry, these tips will help you figure out how to make a career change work for you.

 

Where to Start

 The first step is to figure out whether a career change is the right move for you. You want to start your journey feeling confident you’re making the right choice. Usually, when people begin thinking about making a career change, they hate their current job. While this is a valid reason to rethink your career path, you want to reflect on why you aren’t happy with your current position. What about your job do you not like? Is the pay too low? Do you feel like the work you do doesn’t provide you with enough of a challenge? Do you work alongside people whom you find toxic or draining? Once you understand what you don’t like in a career, you can start to think about other career options they may give you more of the job satisfaction you seek.

 

Find Something that Energizes You

 As you explore different career possibilities, it is important to keep an open mind. In your head, you may have a clear idea about what your ideal career is, yet the reality of the job may end up being your worst nightmare. Likewise, there could be a career you assume you would hate that would actually be a great fit for you. Most people begin the career exploration phase by thinking about what they are passionate about. This doesn’t always work out. Instead, focus on something that will challenge you and energize you. Passions come and go, but a work environment that is challenging will keep you engaged for years to come.

 

Come up with a Plan

 Generally, a new career isn’t something you can jump into headfirst. It requires careful planning. For example, you might not have the right work experience, skill set, or education to land the job you want. To make a career-change plan, first identify your overall objective and set a tentative date to achieve the goal. Next, you want to break down your goal into smaller goals, or milestones. If you set your expectations too high, too quickly, you reduce your chance of successfully reaching your goal. When it comes to career changes, small steps are the norm. Once you accept that there aren’t shortcuts and are willing to put in the work, you can start to gradually acquire the skills and experience you will need to realize your long-term career goals.

 

Rely on Your Support System and Past Experience

Starting a new career is often overwhelming because it can feel like you’re starting back at the beginning of your career. This doesn’t have to be the case. Keep in mind that as you begin job hunting and start your new job, you still have all your past work experience to pull from. You also have an established support system. Many of the skills you acquired in past jobs are transferable and will come in handy in your new career. In addition, your past mentors are still there for you if you need advice.

 

Pivoting careers can be intimidating, but it may be just what you need to find a career that makes you happy. As you prepare for a career change, take time to reflect on what you want in a new career, make a plan, and take it one step at a time.