Courage to change
MANY OF us dream of doing something different from what we are doing in our current occupations, and for many of us it just remains a dream! Is there a cordon bleu chef hiding within a software programmer; or a scuba diving fanatic struggling to come out of a chartered accountant? It not only takes ample courage and family support to change your profession, but you need to be armed to the teeth to be able to make the desired change.
Examine
First, clearly examine your motive for a career change. Do you want to change your career because you are bored? Or do you want to realise a long cherished dream, for which, you are willing to sacrifice time, effort and ego (not to mention money). Determine whether you are serious about the whole venture or whether it is just a wishful fantasy.
Remember it is going to be a long road ahead and most of it an uphill climb!
Research or sink
Once you have made up your mind and girded your loins so to speak, the next step is to go out there and research about your chosen field. You may be starting out with a double disadvantage. Maybe you are well past the age when you can soak up information like a sponge and most likely you may have a family to support. So hit the books and read up as much as you can about the field, the courses offered for professional training, duration of the various courses and exposure to the profession in the real world.
Hire a pro!
Along with the stacks of books also meet up with professionals in your chosen field to talk about the realities of the situation. Dreaming of cooking in a five star restaurant is very distant from the entry-level position of a line cook slaving over a hot stove in a stuffy kitchen. Talk to the person about the scope of the field, opportunities available, application procedures and simple day-to-day responsibilities and the stress that comes with the job.
Labour of love!
The best way to get a foothold into any industry is to volunteer your muscle even before you complete your course. In return you will be gaining valuable real time experience even before you enter the industry.
Ego begone!
Since you will be starting at the bottom of the ladder as a rookie, the respect given to you will not be proportionate to your age and work experience, however senior you might have been in your previous job.
Money matters
As a rookie you will be paid a pittance and worked to death. Make sure you have a nest egg or have invested your money smartly so that your dependents are taken care of. You need to be tuned into the learning mode, trying to absorb as much as possible in a short period. This is an important period when you need to concentrate on perfecting your skills, techniques and establish a working style. Since your inputs to the job are much less than what you are learning from others, your remuneration could be the size of a pea!
Packaging You
Most HR departments in organisations are still clueless about the very idea of a career change. After spending years in one field, the mere thought of changing lanes is considered professional insanity and at worst personal hara kiri. Highlight the ways in which you pursued your interest (which you now want to take up full time) even while you were involved in another field. You need to communicate your serious commitment to developing and excelling in this new field that you have chosen.
Safety net
Do not burn any bridges from your old profession. If at any point in your journey of discovery or initiation process you want to go back, then your professional contacts will come in useful. Make sure to highlight the stage that you have completed with organisations from your field and also make it a point to get letters of completion and performance analysis during the training period.
MALINI SURYANARAYANAN
faqs@cnkonline.com
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