Imagine this: a woman works for the world’s largest enterprise software company. A recession hits, she loses her job and the only work she can find in her field is halfway across the country. Rather than uprooting her life, the woman makes an unexpected decision. She becomes a personal trainer.
In the process of writing her book, “Strategies for Successful Career Change” (Ten Speed Press, 2009), Martha Mangelsdorf uncovered many similar stories of people who changed their lives by changing their careers. In an economic downturn, hopping from a failing field to a growing industry seems smart. Such radical rethinking of career direction can work out if the timing and situation are right.
But before running out to enroll in nursing school because you hear the healthcare field is growing, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of a potential career change.
“It very much depends on a person’s individual circumstances,” Mangelsdorf says. “Career change is not an easy thing to do often, and it isn’t something you should do lightly.”
There are two main types of career change: voluntary moves due to internal circumstances, such as the desire to find more satisfying work, and provoked moves due to external circumstances, such as the recession and corporate restructuring. The current economic environment makes voluntary changes less common since people are generally more likely to hold onto a job. But when your company or the field you work in changes significantly, it may be time for you to rethink, too.
“If your old industry has significantly shrunk, you don’t have much of a choice except to think about a career change because the world has changed on you,” says Bill Varnell, a Boston-based career consultant.
Varnell says there are a number of things to think about in the process. One important question is to evaluate whether the new career path is something you would really be good at and enjoy. “Learning a new job is tough, so you really need to be doing something you’re excited about,” he said.
Varnell cautions people to avoid choosing a job simply because the industry is growing. “As a CEO, it becomes really obvious when people don’t enjoy their work, and then you want to move them out to get someone who is happier,” he said.
But Varnell says at the very least, considering a career change is beneficial as a gauge of your job satisfaction. If your industry is changing, research other opportunities where you could apply your skills. Sometimes that might mean pursuing a similar position in a different industry; other times, it might mean finding an innovative section of your current industry.
An example of this is in automotive. The auto industry is going through a big change right now, but Varnell points to jobs involving alternative energy and automotive efficiency that may offer new opportunities. Either way, he recommends talking with others already doing the job and shadowing them, if possible.
Career changes can be risky because they call on you to predict the future, at least to a certain degree. “One challenge is determining what is going to be good thing to be doing in the next five years,” Varnell said. “When economy is in turmoil, trying to figure that out is just tough. One of the down sides is that you could make a choice and turn out to be very wrong.”
Mangelsdorf underscores the mental and emotional components involved in a career change. “You might feel like a beginner again, which can be really hard on the ego,” she said. Plus, you may need to take a pay cut and enter at a lower level than your previous position. Depending on the job, you might earn less for the long-term.
Instead of committing to a leap, one option is to enroll in further education to gain additional training for a higher level of work. “Competition is tight for what jobs are available,” Varnell said. “So if you’re in school and getting additional training or adding to your skill set, when the economy gets better you will be better positioned for your next job.” State unemployment programs often have components where you can learn new skills and earn certifications.
Going back to school can also be costly and should not be taken lightly. “If you have a plan and a pretty good sense that the education will lead to a job, then it’s a good time to go to school because the opportunity cost might be lower if you’re looking for a job right now,” Mangelsdorf said. But don’t jump quickly, assuming it will automatically lead to better things.
Take your time before making a career-change decision. Figuring out your ideal job is a journey.
“Keep in mind your big-picture goals,” Mangelsdorf said. “Look for opportunities in this environment to make steps in the direction you would like to go.”
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