3 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR CAREER PATH TODAY
If you're anything like me, I get bored pretty easily.
This was especially true when I was in corporate working a 9 to 5 - I craved challenge, loved being productive, and a constant change of scenery (or people) felt crucial to my being fulfilled in a career.
So how'd I do it? How'd I manage to pivot and expand every single year?
Below are a few easy ways that helped me climb up the ladder, make more $$$, and eventually allowed me to say f*ck it and quit for good.
1. BECOME THE MOST NEEDED PERSON IN THE ROOM
Even if you don't know WHAT you want to do or be, the best thing you can do for yourself is become "that b*tch" who's NEEDED.
When I was an assistant on Wall Street, I was considered the bottom b*tch - it's simultaneously one of the most powerful and important roles and yet I was always overlooked and severely underestimated.
I couldn't convince anyone of my capabilities because of what I looked like on paper... but I was able to change this almost immediately by becoming NEEDED.
I became a shapeshifter, anticipating the needs of ANYONE AND EVERYONE around me.
I became the ultimate problem solver.
The cheerleader.
The comedic relief.
Anything I could do to help anyone in any way - I'd do it.
Why? Because people talk and they remember how you make them feel. So when that colleague gets a promotion or a new job, they might think of you.
EXAMPLES OF HOW I HELPED
I offered to take notes during meetings for other teams in different departments
This helped me get exposure to new things and often put me in rooms with decision-makers + CEOs. Eventually, I didn't have to ask to join and was highly sought after and NEEDED.
I solved a cross-departmental issue
I noticed the tax team would receive HUGE checks in the mail from the IRS but there was a breakdown in communication with accounting so they wouldn't get deposited. I offered to walk to each bank on a bi-weekly basis and deposit them on my lunch break. This made me become NEEDED across all our offices in North America and was given high-level banking clearance (which decision-makers can see).
I did research and offered insight
I got involved with the Philanthropic division of my company and became friendly with the lead. She shared the dream of creating an online internal directory for the program, and without being prompted, I did research on how to make it possible. On my own time, I helped her build and launch it from scratch... and a year later she offered me a job internally.
2. LEARN NEW SKILLS
I'd argue that for 99% of people, college is useless. Other than the social aspect and some corporate clout, it's a giant money suck.
Many of the skills I've *actually* used in my career during adulthood came through real-life experience but also through paid courses.
Over the past decade, I've spent roughly $100k on non-college-related courses, masterminds, retreats, etc., and though there's definitely value in high-ticket items, you don't have to spend a lot.
Many of the tangible and crucial skills I needed in business I learned for just $14.99 through platforms like Udemy.
Some courses I've bought through Udemy:
- Social Media Marketing
- MBA in a Box
- Copywriting
- "InstaFamous" Instagram Marketing
- Business Branding
If you're more interested in in-person classes to learn a new hobby, check out CourseHorse (I took a sewing class and LOVED it!).
3. TEST OUT NEW CAREERS BEFORE YOU SIGN UP
Idk about y'all, but I have a hard time committing to a lot of things because I want to try EVERYTHING... and I also don't want to get involved with something only to think "I thought this would be different." Sound familiar?
One of the *almost* fool-proof ways I have tested out new careers when I get a particular itch for something is through gig work.
I love using platforms like Craigslist or GigSmart to find short-term or one-off gigs as a way to not only make a quick buck but to test out the waters.
This allowed me to get some experience and see what I liked and didn't do before fully jumping into a full-time job or going back to school.