Whether you’re a mid-life career changer or have just started out in your career and feel like it’s not the right fit, it’s never too early, or too late, to make the leap. But only fools rush in, right?
The good news is you don’t have to hand in your resignation right this second because there are practical low-risk ways to gain insight into a new industry, gain relevant skills and explore whether a new career genuinely suits your interests and strengths. So, before you quit your day job, test the waters.
In this blog, we show you how to test a new career aspiration while keeping the security of your current job.
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Take a Short Online Course
A professional development course is one of the easiest ways to explore a new career or industry before committing to formal qualifications or a new role. Whether you’re interested in a different role in the same field or a completely different direction, a professional development course will give you the insight you need to make bigger decisions about further study.
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Talk to Someone Already Doing the Job
Do you know someone who already works in your aspirational career? If so, reach out, and arrange a catch-up coffee or LinkedIn chat. Most people are eager to help and enjoying sharing advice about their career. Make sure you have a list of questions in mind before the meeting to make the most of your time and their advice.
You might ask:
- What does a typical day in your role look like?
- What do you enjoy most, and what is the biggest challenge?
- How did you get into this career, and would you do anything differently?
- What skills have been most important to your success?
- What experience or qualifications would you recommend for someone starting out?
- What do employers look for when hiring graduates or entry-level staff?
- What advice would you give someone hoping to follow the same career path?
- If you were in my position today, what would be your next step?
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Read Real Job Advertisements
You can glean a lot about a career by reading job ads. Take a look at Seek or another job board to and look beyond the job title to the following details in the ad:
- Required skills
- Qualifications
- Salary ranges
- Key responsibilities
It’s a simple way to quickly see whether the role genuinely appeals to you.
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Volunteer Your Skills
What better way to find out if a job is attractive than to volunteer your time to a cause that’s close to your heart? Most charities and community organisations welcome help in areas such as:
- Marketing
- Administration
- Bookkeeping
- Event management
- Animal care
- Community services
- Content writing
- Social media
It’s a great way to find genuine experience without the commitment, which will give you real insight into what it’s like to work in that career.
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Shadow Someone for a Day
We know it’s a long shot, but if you know someone who works in your dream career or industry, can you shadow them? If so, take advantage, because this puts you right in the action. Even just a day will provide worthwhile insights that will help you decide if it’s the right career for you. If you frame it as work experience, you may find more people are willing to say yes, especially if you’re keen to learn, ask questions and assist in their day-to-day work tasks.
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Join Industry Facebook or LinkedIn Groups
Join industry Facebook or LinkedIn groups to gain valuable insights into the profession before changing careers. You’ll learn about common workplace challenges, emerging industry trends, career pathways and the lingo used by professionals in this field. It’s also an ideal way to connect with others in the field, ask questions and get a genuine feel for the culture.
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Watch ‘Day in the Life’ Videos
Many professionals film part of their working day on YouTube or social media. It’s not always representative, but these videos can help you visualise what this type of work looks like.
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Try Freelancing on a Small Scale
If your aspirational career lends itself to freelancing, why not take on a small project to experience the work firsthand? Whether it’s writing, graphic design, bookkeeping, marketing web development, even a single freelance job can give you valuable insight into the career and help you decide if it’s the right fit.
Some careers are more suited to freelancing than others, such as:
- Writing
- Graphic design
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- Virtual assistance
- Web development
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Attend Industry Events or Webinars
Attend industry events or free webinars offered by professional associations to gain firsthand insight into your chosen field. These sessions can help you stay up to date with current trends, hear from experienced professionals and discover whether the industry genuinely interests you.
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Build a Mini Project
If your aspirational career isn’t suited to freelancing, consider starting a mini project that will give you same the same insight.
The following careers would make good ‘mini projects:’
Horticulture
Start a vegetable garden, native garden or indoor plant collection to learn about plant care and maintenance.
If you’re looking to get started equipped with the knowledge to make your project a success, take a look at our courses in horticulture.
Interior design
Redesign a room in your home using mood boards, floor plans and a realistic budget. Learn the basics before you get started with an online course in interior design.
Landscape design
Create a landscape plan for your backyard or a friend’s outdoor space. Make sure you know the foundations before you start with an online course in landscaping design.
Wildlife conservation
Join a local conservation group, such as the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and assist in scientific surveying, land management, caretaking or become a campground host.
Marine biology
Participate in beach clean-ups or conservation programs run by organisations such as Sea Shepherd to experience fieldwork. You can gain a comprehensive introduction to this fascinating field with an online course in marine biology.
Nutrition
Plan and prepare balanced meals for several weeks while learning about nutrition and healthy eating. Why not explore an online course in nutrition to understand the healthy eating framework and develop or advance your career in nutrition?
Event management
Organise a community event, fundraiser or family celebration from start to finish. You can learn the foundations to manage events and feel confident in delivering high-impact events that meet and exceed expectation with an online event management course.
Education (teaching or training)
Tutor a student, mentor someone or design and deliver a short learning activity to see if you enjoy teaching others. Discover the many professional development courses available in Education and Teaching to grow and develop within a career that’s full of meaning.
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Follow Industry News
Follow industry news by subscribing to newsletters, podcasts or websites in your chosen field. It’s an ideal way to get insider insight and to stay up to date with the latest trends and developments. If you genuinely enjoy staying informed, it’s often a good sign you’ve found a career that interests you.
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Take a Career or Personality Assessment
Take a career quiz or personality assessment to better understand your strengths, interests, work preferences, and potential blind spots. While no quiz can tell you the perfect career, these assessments can provide valuable insights and help you explore options you may not have previously considered. Think of them as a starting point rather than a final answer.
Career assessments are great at identifying:
- Strengths
- Work preferences
- Interests
- Potential blind spots
You can find many different career aptitudes tests here to find a career that’s right for you. It’s a guide and not an endorsement, so please do your research before subscribing or entering personal information.
A confident career change doesn’t have to begin with a resignation letter. So, spend time exploring, learning and testing different paths before making the switch. Whether it’s taking online courses, volunteering, talking to industry professionals or taking on mini projects, every step helps you make an informed choice. As a result, you’ll be better prepared to find a career that’s both rewarding and well suited to your interests, strengths and long-term goals.
Can we help you find your new direction? Simply contact one of our friendly Course Consultants on 1300 76 2221, via Live Chat, or online for more information.
