Where can I get the experience I need to change careers?

The Career Doctor's Cures & Remedies to Quintessentially Perplexing Career and Job-Hunting Ailments

Question: "Where can I get the experience I need to successfully change careers?"

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

This question is really an important one, as studies show the average job-seeker will change careers (not just jobs) at least five times over his/her lifetime, and some may change as many as 10 times.

Three critical components are involved in career change. The first is additional training, certifications, or education you will need to make a career change. The second is the development of a new network in your new career field. The third, the focus of this question, is gaining the necessary experience in your new career field.

While you are still working in your current career field, it is possible to gain the experience necessary in your new career field to make your eventual change much smoother.

Here are four methods for gaining experience in your new career even as you are transitioning to it:

Volunteering. Non-profit organizations, especially, almost always have a need for people, especially talented people. One easy way to gain some valuable experience in your new career field is volunteering on nights or weekends. And by volunteering, you will not only gain the experience, but you'll feel good about it -- and possibly add some valuable contacts to your career network. Where can you find non-profits in your area? Contact your local United Way -- or see our list of non-profits here.

Consulting. Gain valuable experience in your new career field by offering your services to your current network of contacts. Numerous consulting and freelance project sites are available on the Web. Consulting, because you work at your own pace, can often be the best route to take, especially if you are also still working full-time in your old career field.

Temping. Some folks have the misconception of temporary agencies as just placing clerks and other lower-level administrative assistants, but that is far from the truth. There are many types of temp agencies, and many handle professional placements. So, as you get closer to your planned transition to your new career field, begin to send out feelers to the temp agencies that place people in your career. And remember, working as a temp can be an avenue to getting hired full-time by your temporary employer.

School Projects. If your career change requires additional education, take advantage of all the opportunities while in school to build your portfolio of experience in your new career field. School projects, especially when they involve working with real clients, can provide you with invaluable experience in your new career field.

Finally, do not forget about the power of transferable skills. Just because you are changing careers does not mean you lose the value from all the work experience from your old career. Transferable skills are just what the name implies -- skills (such as leadership, teamwork, project management, communications, multitasking, client management, etc.) that are easily transferred from one career to the next.

If you are considering a career change, please review all the tools and resources in this section of Quintessential Careers: Job & Career Resources for Career Changers.

This article is part of a series from The Career Doctor's Cures & Remedies to Quintessentially Perplexing Career and Job-Hunting Ailments. Read more.

See a list of all the most common college, career, and job questions -- and Dr. Hansen's solutions.

Who is the Career Doctor? Learn more, read his current career column, or browse the column archives when you visit the Career Doctor's homepage.

QuintCareers.com Founder Dr. Randall Hansen

Dr. Randall S. Hansen is a nationally recognized career and job-search expert. He is founder of Quintessential Careers, one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of Quintessential Careers Press, including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter, QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his personal Website or reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.

Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.

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