Transitioning Careers

Transitioning careers needs research, planning and commitment

Thinking forward and setting a range of short, medium and long term SMART goals are an integral part of successful career transitioning. Impact Career Counselling can support you through this initial stage and you may also want to seek advice/assistance from friends, family, associates and mentors.

You need to ensure that your goals are:

• S - Specific (What do you want to accomplish? Who needs to be included? When do you want to do this? Why is this a goal?).
• M - Measurable (How can you measure progress and know if you’ve successfully met your goal?)
• A - Achievable (Do you have the skills required to achieve the goal? If not, can you obtain them? What is the motivation for this goal? Is the amount of effort required on par with what the goal will achieve?)
• R - Relevant (Why am I setting this goal now? Is it aligned with overall objectives?)
• T - Time bound (What’s the deadline and is it realistic?)

Start researching the skills and qualifications required for your successful career transition. This can be done by reading advertised Job Descriptions and talking to people in the industry or a Human Resources Manager.

University Course Guides will provide information available on courses and study options that can help you achieve your career goal (study usually will relate to your long term goals).

Research the industry sector and look at future trends. Look into volunteering options and developing appropriate networks that will also provide an insight to the career direction that you are interested in.

• Develop a Timeline that records tasks with assigned commencement and end dates for completion
• Ensure that you allocate regular time each day or week to work on your planning, researching and studying, this will ensure that you continually work closer towards your career goal
• Reviewing your career goals regularly to ensure you’re staying on track (you can make adjustments if required throughout the process)
• It is recommended that you take time to write out the steps that you will take to achieve your career vision – read this often to motivate yourself
• Surround yourself with positive influences, never underestimate the power of positive thinking!