I remember seeing a post on my alumni association’s Facebook of a high school classmate of mine. She was having a hard time finding a job and blamed it on her college major.
When she posted this, we were a few years in to our THIRTIES. I had lost touch with her and didn’t feel like it was my place to tell her that her viewpoint was warped AF, but I’d been thinking about it ever since.
If you are over the age of 27, what you majored in when you were in undergrad doesn’t matter today. What you’ve learned and who you know does. Did you get that? I majored in Communications and Theology (I know, I know) with a Masters in Education and work in the business world today and know plenty of other people who have done something similar. TRUST me, if I can do it, you can too.
Today I’m going to talk about career trajectory and how, while your college major matters for some things, it doesn’t for many.
Think of your skills.
I often hear from teachers who have been in the classroom for 10+ years and desperately want out. Either they don’t make enough money, don’t find joy in it anymore or crazy parents drive them out. A teacher has very marketable skills, from managing large groups of people (students), volunteer management (think of the room moms on field trips), public speaking (obviously) and the list goes on. Rather than simply say to yourself, “I taught for x years,” reformulate your mindset (and resume) to reflect the skills that you grew during your years as a teacher.
Are you a social worker? You have exquisite communication skills. You can deal with crisis situations. A youth minister? You’ve coordinated volunteers, spoken to large groups, and organized large events. See? Rethink. Reformulate. You got this.
Work on your personality
Hands down, being liked is the reason people get hired. If you go for an interview and charm the people in the room, you will at least get a fighting chance for the job. If you have been told that you do not interview well or that you don’t have the type of personality that draws others to you, emulate the personalities of those who do. Have an inspiring story to tell in your cover letter and interview. Skills can be taught. Likability can be as well, but make that one your priority.
Consider Investing in a Coach
I often hear people say things like, “I know I want to do something else but I don’t know what.” As a result, they often get analysis paralysis and stay stuck in a job they don’t like because it’s comfortable. In Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo (which is fantastic, by the way), she explains psychotherapy as working on your past while coaching as working on your future. If you’re unsure about which direction to go career-wise, a coach can offer amazing insight and guidance to help you. I’m working with one right now, in fact (here is her link) not because I’m considering a career switch (don’t worry, colleagues, you’re stuck with me) but because I’m working on creating better services from this blog and had NO CLUE where to begin.
Do You Need To Go Back To School? Not So Fast…
I always used to joke that grad school was synonymous to Never Never Land and, frankly, it is for many people. While many careers do require a formal education, grad school isn’t always the answer. It’s expensive not only for the tuition but also because many people press pause on a career trajectory, investing in real estate and retirement savings that it’s really not worth it. I’ve often told friends to sometimes rework their career-switching goals if they require a formal education. Do you want to become a physical therapist? Maybe fitness training is a better choice. A college professor? Create your own courses online. A therapist? Try life coaching first. Rachel Hollis is famous for saying, “Whatever you want to learn to do can be found for free on the Internet” and she’s so right. While formal education might be the answer for some people, it doesn’t need to be the first action item.
Network, Network, Network
Networking during Covid is weird but it can be done. In fact, LinkedIN in your best friend right now. Make it known that you’re on the search. Find people within your network who might be able to offer a helping hand. Ask questions about people’s professions. What do they like about their companies? Emulate people who have done what you want to do. Never ask people to get you a job, but express interest that always insinuates that you’d be more than interested in learning more.
Truly believe you can
The biggest obstacle I see from people who desperately want to make a career switch is their mindsets. If you believe that you’re doomed to make the equivalent of $50,000 for your entire career and will never be able to retire without Social Security or a rich husband, your life will become just that. If, however, you believe you will make multiple six figures, enjoy every day of your work and have complete financial freedom, you’ll do just that too.
Are you considering a career switch? Let me know what questions you still have in the comments section! Have a fantastic day!
