Your choice of career is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make in your life. You spend around a third of your adulthood working, so why would you settle for a job that doesn’t bring you happiness, or worse, makes you miserable?
But there are so many people who fall into jobs after leaving school or college, and continue working there for the rest of their lives. These jobs are just a way for them to pay their bills and put food on the table. They don’t line up with their passions and values, and don’t bring any meaning or fulfillment to their lives.
Whether you are still in education or have worked for years in your current job, it’s never too late to make a change. Maybe you’ve long harbored aspirations of becoming a doctor, movie star, or even something more niche like a geologist or medical malpractice attorney. If you have a dream job in mind but you’re not sure you have the skills, time, or motivation to make it a reality, you’re wrong. By following these tips, you can equip yourself with the tools you’ll need to get the career you’ve always wanted.
Educate yourself
Starting a new career is a huge change, not least because you have to learn a whole new skillset. In order to get started in your ideal job, you will need to learn everything you need to know. This may require taking a degree, an online course, and gaining some essential qualifications. This will help you to bulk up your resume and will guarantee you impress potential employers, as well as giving you a more well rounded understanding of your chosen field.
Live your passion
If your chosen career is truly your passion, it will be more than just a job for you. It will be your life. As well as getting qualifications and applying for jobs, you should also make it an integral part of your lifestyle. Let’s say you want to become a professional mountaineer. You should spend as much time as you can on the slopes, building your skills and getting out of your comfort zone. You should read books by famous mountain guides and explorers, and watch films about historical ascents of major peaks. You should live and breathe mountaineering and this will increase your chances of success.
Find a mentor
One of the best ways to get into any given industry is to find yourself a mentor who can show you the ropes. This may be a friend or a family member who has experience in the industry you’re looking to get into. Or if you don’t know anyone, you may be able to find a mentor on industry-related internet forums and social media groups. Your mentor will be a trusted source of advice for getting a leg up in your career.
Gain experience
It may be hard for a complete beginner to get a job in a particular industry straight away, so see if you can get some prior experience to help your application. Perhaps you could volunteer for a relevant cause, allowing you to pick up skills and insider knowledge along the way. Ask around with various companies to see if there are any internships or apprenticeships you might be able to apply for.
