Taking some time to think about our career choices, past and present, and reflect on our future goals is one of the most important steps for professional development. By making a career reset, we can determine our current professional status, whether we want to continue doing what we are currently doing, whether we need to acquire new skills, develop existing ones, or explore different career paths. The fact that we are usually expected to choose a career path very early in life, studying it and moving forward to getting a job and sticking with it is impressive, but, generally, people develop and change, as do their opinions and preferences. If you are in a place where you are exploring your options and desire a change, or you are passionate about something specific, then you are probably on the verge of pivoting between careers.

And if you think a career shift is unattainable, maybe it’s time you gave it another thought! Although making a career shift can be daunting, it's definitely achievable. Many successful individuals have successfully transitioned to new careers. For instance, Vera Wang was a figure skater and journalist before entering the fashion industry at age 40, and today, she's one of the world's premier women's designers.

Regardless of whether your desire for a career change stems from personal ambitions, job loss, or the need for a better work-life balance, it's time to embrace it and take action. While switching careers might feel like starting from scratch, your existing skills and experiences can be valuable assets in your new endeavor.

1. Learn about it

If you are seriously exploring a career change, then you need to learn all about it. Take a class, register for courses, and sign up for conferences or online discussions concerning the new career path. It doesn’t matter whether you already have the skills needed for your new career journey; you need to be more specific about the industry you want to work in. For instance, I used to be a tutor when I decided that marketing was my ideal career. However, although applicable, my degree wasn’t marketing-oriented, so I signed up for introductory social media marketing courses and more niche-specific courses to develop my skills more effectively. Also, marketing copywriting is entirely different from classic essay writing or blog writing, so I needed specific guidance, which I acquired via courses.

So, open your search engine, type your new career, and start researching what course can be helpful and will add to your resume. Also, make sure that the industry you target to make a career in does not require any certifications or licenses. In case you need any, then it’s essential to start from there.

2. Network effectively

The most efficient and quick way in order to learn about your new career exploration is to connect with people who actually do the job. Connecting with professionals in the field is indispensable for understanding your dream career comprehensively. While you will get all the essential skills you need through courses and classes, people who are already in your desired industry are the ones who can give you valuable insights and real-world experiences and can guide you on what is necessary to know and what is not. Any informational discussion offers a unique opportunity to ask questions, understand daily tasks, and get a realistic sense of what the job entails.

You can find potential contacts by leveraging your existing network, attending industry events, utilizing LinkedIn to search for professionals in your target field, or even sending a cold email to someone you admire who is successful in the role you wish to thrive. It may feel overwhelming or challenging to network at that pace, but it is also a significant step for your career. Prepare a list of questions to make the most of your conversation and learn about the challenges, opportunities, and day-to-day aspects of the job.

3. Do a thorough research on others

Even if you are networking at a steady pace, it’s not always possible to have easy access to people who are willing to help and share your insights on their current role. However, you shouldn’t give up because you can research yourself. Check out the most successful people in the industry, and try to learn how they started and the steps that brought them where they are today. An exciting and insightful source of information is their interviews and (auto)biographies, where you can discover a lot of valuable and helpful tips and hacks on how they managed to succeed in this particular field. Also, this way, you will be able to learn strategies and tools that could bring you closer to your goal.

Another positive thing about research is that you will understand and realize that not all people achieve their goals and succeed following the same pattern. Each individual is different, and every person has their own way of getting things done. However, several approaches are even better than one.

4. Don’t hesitate to announce your career change

Even though it might seem insignificant, openly discussing your career goals is essential when transitioning to a new field. Sometimes, we find it dreadful to announce plans and have an inner fear of being judged. However, the Imposter Syndrome that follows a major change in our lives, especially in our careers, shouldn’t keep us from shouting our achievements out loud.

While it's challenging to acknowledge the desire for a career change, sharing your intentions with others can be even more daunting. Journaling can be a helpful tool to overcome self-doubt, if you like writing. Start by updating your professional profiles, such as your resume, your LinkedIn page, your personal website, or your email signature, so that they are aligned with your new career goals. Gradually build your confidence by discussing your plans with a stranger or close friend. Visualizing your new career path will become easier as you repeat this process.

5. Create a transition plan

A successful career change starts with a clear roadmap. Setting short-term goals, like taking a specific course or acquiring a certification, is your stepping stone. However, in order to have a smooth transition toward your dream career, make an actual transition plan bound by timelines and actionable steps that will help you take steady steps. Your long-term objective should be the dream job you're working towards. Don't forget to consider the financial impact of your transition. If you don’t have the amount of money in the bank that could finance your new journey, then you will probably make sure that this career change won’t cripple you financially. Include in your plan a well-crafted budget for education and future potential income gaps so that when you kick-start your career change, you are entirely focused on your goal and not on potential setbacks.