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If you just got out of college and suddenly realize that your degree has nothing to do with the career path you wish to follow, don’t panic. Like many other people either entering the professional world or already in it (refer to this blog post), you might not think that the path you chose four years ago is the one you still want to follow now. Though it may seem like you are stuck in the career that matches your experience, there is hope for you to do something totally different.
One of the primary ways to get familiar with your new career interest is to take more classes. Full time graduate school is an option; but, if you don’t feel like dedicating a significant amount of time to more schooling, try taking night classes or getting a certification. Both options are easier than committing to another stint in college, yet they still offer a considerable amount of training. Another way to get acquaint yourself with your new field is to seek out volunteer and intern opportunities. Businesses that are looking for volunteers will most likely take anyone who is willing and has a good attitude, so your lack of formal training will not be a problem. In the same way, the point of an internship is to learn and be mentored, so it provides a great opportunity to get valuable, beginner experience in a new field.
When you are finally ready to start to your career with a job, try taking a different approach to job seeking. Traditional job searching techniques, like applying online, give a less personal view of you as a candidate and do not give you a chance to explain how and why you plan to go into a different field. Instead, use your network of friends, family and colleagues to help you find a job. Even if you have a great reference from just one of these people, a hiring manager will be more likely to want to meet you and see what you have to offer.
