People shouldn’t have to choose between doing something that allows them to make a living and doing something they can feel excited about, that engages their interests. Of course, every line of work is going to have its ups and downs, but if you feel like you’ve been having nothing but downs lately, and as though your career is cutting you off from chasing your dreams, maybe it’s time for a change.
Today, The Marketing Recruiter offers some ideas for individuals who are feeling burnt out or unfulfilled at work, or simply looking for an exciting career option that aligns with their passions.
Have a clear sense of what you want out of your work.
If you’re going to make a career change or invest in training for a new line of work, you need to be fully committed to it. You can’t just be attracted to the work because you feel like it might be easy, glamorous, or lucrative. You can’t be thinking like an escapist or basing your ideas on fictionalized versions of careers that you’ve seen in the movies or television. Rather, you should have concrete knowledge about what is entailed in the career you have in mind. And you need to be realistic about your own gifts, aptitudes, skills, and interests.
Find out what you’ll need to do to get into this new field or industry.
You may already have the qualifications you need to make a change. Or you may need a little extra training, or simply to brush up on things you learned about years ago. On the other hand, some career leaps may require quite a bit of new education or preparation. If you need to take a lot of classes, or even go back to school for a new degree, make sure this is something that is practicable and affordable. You may be able to do online classes that won’t interfere with your existing work schedule or family obligations.
Don’t forget to look into licensing.
Also, find out whether you will need to apply for any licenses or get certified, to work in the field you are considering. For instance, if you want to work in a medical field, you will need not only to get your education and certification but also acquire a license to practice. Some licenses may be particular to a certain state or region, also. Also, you may need to acquire liability or other insurance if you want to practice in certain fields.
Think about starting your own business as an option.
If the career you want, the job that will allow you to do what you love while also making a living, doesn’t seem to exist, maybe you need to create it yourself. Starting your own business doesn’t have to be onerous or difficult. The basic steps are simple if you plan on starting small. If you are running a business from home, the overhead may be so low you will not need any extra funding to begin. Though you still want to write up (and stick to) a business budget, as well as a business plan.
Next, if you want to work from home, make sure you set aside one room to be your home office. Decorate and furnish it to be comfortable but free of distractions. If you end up needing to make some renovations – like finishing a basement or garage, or adding windows to allow more natural light – make sure you save your receipts. After all, these types of home renovations also boost your home’s appraisal value (a bonus for if and when you decide to sell).
You should also make sure to do everything correctly, such as deciding on a legal structure for your business and registering with the IRS. If you’re uncertain how to go about forming a business, there are formation services that can assist you. Find out what you need to do to market your business effectively, as well.
If you’re looking for the perfect job that’s going to make no demands of you but somehow make you rich, you will probably be disappointed. But if you are looking for something meaningful and interesting that will allow you to live comfortably for many years, there are many exciting options out there.
I want to thank my friend Courtney Rosenfeld for contributing this article. You can learn more about Courtney at GigSpark.
G. Robert Bishop of The Marketing Recruiter is an executive recruiter specializing in marketing, advertising and digital media. Bob Bishop has been in the field of marketing and visual communications for over 35 years. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].