How to Reinvent Yourself for a Career Change

Maybe you were raised in the “follow your dream” philosophy, only to find out that your dream does not quite pay the mortgage. We are often too young when we are choosing our studies, which largely determine our career opportunities.You might feel like if you had to make the call again, it would be a very different one. So you decide to make a horizontal career leap.

Lock the Target

Maybe you figure it out on your own or together with a career coach. In any case, finding a career path that fits your personality, ambitions and is overall a smart choice for you can be a challenge. Do your due diligence. Find out what exactly would a new career mean in terms of job duties and opportunities, potential salary, education and skills needed, how long would it take to get there, etc. But the trick is, once you have made your (informed!) decision, stick with it.

Get the Credentials

You will likely find that in order to get a job in a new industry, you will need some sort of training or education.Look at the credentials of people who are working at the position you want – do they all have a PhD? Then maybe you need one too. Earn your degree if needed, and use the opportunity for making connections while still in training.

Work Out Your Story

The best thing you can do is to turn your seemingly irrelevant previous experience into your advantage. So you did sociology before and now you want to be a programmer? That is great, because you not only know the end customer, but also are likely to easily communicate with clients.Even if your previous and your future career have seemingly nothing in common, there are always some transferrable skills that will work to your advantage.

Build a New Network

Start early on building a network, preferably when you are still in school or training. Work hard and let your work speak for you – well, also your work. You will need to do some speaking, too. And if after finishing your studies you get offered a job that does not quite match your expectations, keep in mind that it still can be a good opportunity to network and ultimately get where you wanted to be. Whatever you do, keep in mind the golden rule of networking – offer before you ask.


Making a significant career change can be very unnerving, because it requires a lot of work and time, and there are no guarantees. Therefore, if you do make that decision, make sure it is an informed one. Put together a solid support system of your friends and family who will cheer you on when the times get tough. Jot out your future path, focus on it and move steadily towards your goal until you are there.


Veronika Bacova

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