Top Ten Places To Look For A New Career Path
Maybe you've been recently laid off. Perhaps you're at "an in between" job. Possibly you have a good job, but the satisfaction isn't there anymore. You want to change career paths but you have no idea what you want to do. Start by researching all of your options:
Your "Circle"
Ask your friends and family to help you look for a new career path. They may know you best and can help point out your strengths and weaknesses. Just don't depend on them totally.They were your friends and family when you got your current job, right? You may have to look outside your circle of friends and co-workers to find something new.
Wherever You Go...
Check out your local diner. Ask the waitresses that bring you food what's the coolest job they've ever heard about. Get the local gossip about who's hiring, who's firing, who's starting something new.
Newspapers
Do not limit yourself to the want ads. Read the articles and realize that they may hold a key to what you might like to do next. Reading my local newspaper, I see the notice for an auction. I think it would be great fun to clerk for an auctioneer. On the next page is the story of a house fire - so, I could be a firefighter, an investigator, work in insurance sales, or work in a hardware store selling fire alarms and extinguishers. A charity is doing a fundraiser. I'd like to volunteer for them not only for the sake of helping others but to meet new people. Get the idea?
On Line Job Postings
Check out employment websites to see how many job openings there are and where new businesses are opening up. (That is how I got my current position in my career). A job search on line can yield many opportunities, but you have to be accurate and purposeful in your applications or you will waste too much time when browsing.
Career Counseling
Colleges should have counseling offices and career resources, too. Call or check them out on line. You may be able to use the resources even if you are not a current student. However, educational institutions do not always have the pulse of the business world.
Government
Research possible jobs through state employment offices or websites. For instance, Michigan has a nifty site Pure Michigan Talent which has career resources as well as job listings1.
The United States government lists job outlooks from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job outlooks for 2010-2020 include faster than average growth for these jobs: cartographers and photogrammetrists2 (I didn't even know there were such careers, but once I found out what they were, I think it'd be interesting work: they make maps).
HubPages
Find inspiration right where you are. Read about all the wonderful places and amazing careers that Hubbers have enjoyed. Check out their profiles and ask questions of those you take a liking to. Hubbers are some of the best and brightest and are so helpful.
Books
Many authors have written about finding your purpose in life, how to start a business, how to network, etc. Borrow some books and invest in your knowledge.
Job Shadow
Ask if you could job shadow in the business. My niece shadowed a wedding photographer and my daughter volunteered in a hospital to learn about career choices. Neither one was a paid position, but the experience was priceless. My niece still does photography as a hobby but learned she didn't want to be a professional (at least not photographing weddings) and my daughter is now a nurse.
Gather all the information you can -- find out what you need to do to be successful in your chosen path and then get busy and do it!
Be a Mentee
The idea is to network and research the possiblities until you can narrow what your next career path will be. Then, find a mentor! Find someone else who already is doing what you would like to do and meet them for lunch or dinner (your treat) or ask to call them a few times or use email. Ask your mentor questions and listen and watch closely. Networking with successful people will help you be successful, too.
Summary
Expect to do the leg work, to investigate all of your options, then to choose your path. You will learn along the way where you're meant to be.
Do not expect that your path will be straight. We live in a changing, global world. Your path may change many times throughout your working life. Be flexible. Good luck on your journey!
Citations
1www.bls.gov
2www.mitalent.org