How to Build New Skills for a Successful Career Change

Making a career pivot can be an exciting yet daunting endeavour. Whether you're looking to transition into a completely different field or move up within your current industry, acquiring new skills is often a crucial step. However, finding the time to build these skills while juggling work, family, and personal commitments can be challenging. Here’s how you can effectively manage your time and successfully make a career pivot.

Understanding the Need for New Skills for a Career Change

A career pivot often requires you to step out of your comfort zone and learn new competencies. These might include technical skills, certifications, or soft skills such as leadership and communication. Recognizing the specific skills you need is the first step toward a successful transition.

Real-Life Example: Emily’s Story

Let’s consider the story of Emily, a marketing professional who has been in her role for over a decade. Emily enjoys her job but has always been passionate about data analysis and technology. She decided to pivot her career towards data science, a field that requires a different set of skills than her current role.

Emily knows she needs to learn programming languages like Python and acquire knowledge in statistics and machine learning. However, with a full-time job and family responsibilities, finding the time to build these new skills for a career change seems overwhelming.

Note: Names and details have been altered to safeguard the privacy of individuals involved.

Finding the Time: 7 Practical Strategies

1. Assess Your Current Schedule:

Start by taking a close look at how you currently spend your time. Identify pockets of time that might be underutilized or activities that can be minimized to free up time for skill-building.

2. Set Clear Goals:

Define what skills you need to learn and set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. For Emily, this might mean completing an introductory Python course within two months.

3. Create a Learning Plan:

Break down your goals into manageable steps. For example, Emily could plan to dedicate one hour every weekday evening to online courses and two hours on weekends for practical projects.

4. Leverage Online Resources:

Take advantage of online courses, webinars, and tutorials that you can fit into your schedule. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer flexible learning options.

5. Integrate Learning into Daily Routine:

Look for ways to integrate learning into your daily routine. Emily might listen to data science podcasts during her commute or read articles during lunch breaks.

6. Seek Support from Your Employer:

If possible, discuss your career pivot plans with your employer. They might offer support in the form of flexible work hours, professional development opportunities, or even sponsorship for relevant courses.

7. Balance Work and Learning:

Ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance. Avoid burnout by setting realistic expectations and taking regular breaks to recharge.

Recommendations for a Successful Career Pivot

Making a career pivot requires dedication, planning, and the right strategies to find time for building new skills. By setting clear goals, creating a structured learning plan, and leveraging available resources, you can successfully navigate this transition. Remember, it's never too late to pursue your passion and achieve your career goals.

Here are the 5 top tips I share with clients to help them build the skills and contacts for a successful career pivot:

1. Stay Organized:

Use planners or digital tools to keep track of your progress and stay on schedule.

2. Network Actively:

Connect with professionals in your desired field through networking events, social media, or professional organizations. Networking can provide insights, mentorship, and potential job opportunities. 

3. Gain Practical Experience:

Look for opportunities to apply your new skills in real-world settings. Emily might take on freelance projects, volunteer for relevant tasks at her current job, or participate in hackathons.

4. Stay Persistent:

Learning new skills takes time and effort. Stay motivated by celebrating small victories along the way and reminding yourself of the bigger picture.

5. Evaluate and Adjust:

Periodically assess your progress and adjust your learning plan as needed. Be flexible and open to changing your approach if something isn’t working.

~Jess