Finding a career that you are passionate about might not be as difficult as you think. It is common to hear about finding a job that does not feel like you will be working and that it will be stress from. While working in a field that you are passionate about might make life a lot more fun, there will always be stress in a job, and some stress can be good. Good stress can be a way to help you grow and develop as a person. When it comes to finding a career that you are passionate about there are a lot of options you can explore to sample different careers while working to build your professional portfolio. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can explore different careers to determine which one is best for you.
Market Research
So, you have an idea of what you would like to do or maybe you are still looking for. Getting a grasp on the market is often a good way to understand what is happening in the field you are looking to explore. Start by reading the news from reputable sources about what is happening in the field, or search for professional associations and see what kind of supports, programs, and information they offer. This can give you a good insight into what is happening. Also, research companies that are in the field you want to explore and see their opportunities and what kind of positions they are hiring for. Analyze these job postings and career pages to see if this is something that you see yourself doing. If something interests you, or if it is a position that you feel you could see yourself in starting the process to get experience or to gather more information about the opportunity you are exploring. Getting to know the market that you want to work in and having practical information about what is going on will help you to get a better idea as to if that industry or field is ideal for you and your aspirations. Market research can help you discover things that interest you or could help you to determine what might not work so well for you.
Volunteering
Hands-on practical experience is also important, and volunteering can give you an insight into a position or career choice that you are looking to advance into. Ways to get involved with volunteering could start with a simple internet search for websites that post volunteer opportunities, or you could contact the company or organization directly to see what opportunities are offered. In addition to this seeking out internships (that can at times be paid) can also help you gain a strong perspective into what goes on and what happens in a company or industry.
One common misconception about volunteering is that they are simple positions that are available. This is not always the case though. Many non-profits and organizations look for qualified professionals to fill vacancies in business, finance, human resources, and more. So if you are in one field or are exploring the potential to determine what your next step is connecting with companies looking for volunteers might be a good place to start to gain insight into what it is like to work in a potential field.
Running a Side Business
We hear it all the time, side hustle. Starting a small business on the side in addition to your day job, does not mean working 100-hour weeks. For example, if you are interested in becoming a full-time artist but are not sure whether or not too sure about the competition or how well your art will sell, you can start small. In this instance, you could create some artwork, sell it on an online platform like Etsy, and see how the demand for it is. If the demand is bigger than expected, then you could research ways to grow the business if it is something that you feel is suitable for you to pursue. This is where networking, creating business cards, and conducting informational interviews with other artists could be beneficial.
Putting it all together
Before leaping to venture into an unknown area it is always best to research, connect, and explore other opportunities to ensure that it is something you want to do full time or in some cases part-time. Career transitions are things that should be taken seriously because it is an area that you are investing a lot of time into. Being informed and having some experience in your new area of life will help put you ahead of the game, and the decision you make to change careers will be a well planned out one, leading to lasting fulfilling results.
Bliss + You 