How to successfully switch careers 💻

Sep 12, 2018

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#WednesdayWisdom

""I think when you begin to think of yourself as having achieved something, then there's nothing left for you to work towards. I want to believe that there is a mountain so high that I will spend my entire life striving to reach the top of it." — Cicely Tyson

Morning Musings

One of the most frequent questions I get from people is how to switch careers. I get it, I've been more than vocal about my transition from journalism to nonprofits on everything from podcasts to blog posts.

Last night, I spoke on the topic again during a panel for General Assembly. And I figured I'd share my "secrets to success" with you all, my loyal subscribers, as well.

If you're serious about making the switch, below are my top three tips:

1) Sit quietly with yourself. I know it sounds cliche, but trust me on this one. Take some time to really reflect on why you want to switch careers. Are you frustrated with something that can be changed at your current workplace? Or are you looking for meaning that can only be found in another industry?

2) Do your homework. At the start of my transition from journalism to nonprofits, I made a short list of 10 organizations that aligned with my personal mission to empower young women.

3) Talk to people. There's only so much you can learn online. To find out more about what it's really like to work at a nonprofit, I met with people who had positions I was interested in to learn more about their roles and their organizations.

4) Get on their radar. Follow the company you're interested on all of their social media platforms and engage with them ("like" their posts, retweet, comment, etc.). Attend their events. Connect with people who work their on LinkedIn (ideally through a mutual contact or at the very least accompanied by a note explaining why you want to connect with them).

5) Nail the interview. If you're switching industries, there will inevitably be some things you don't know. But don't fret. I thought I'd have to return to school to get a job at a nonprofit and that wasn't true. Rather, I relied on my transferable skills and my passion for the organization to sell myself as a desirable candidate.

6) Be patient. You already know change doesn't happen overnight. It took me an entire year from my initial a-ha moment to switch careers to actually working for a nonprofit. Now I'm three years in and going strong...

Have you ever switched careers? How did you do it? Hit "reply" and let me know!

Love,
L'Oreal

IRL*

One speaking engagement down, a few more to go this fall. Here's where you can catch me...

Sept. 13: FWD Collective Summit (use the promo code LT20 to save 20% on your ticket)

Sept. 28: Women in Tech Breakfast (FREE!)

Oct. 6: Young Feminist Conference (FREE!)

Oct. 21: #SpeakTruthSummit (use the promo code speaker25 to save 25% on your ticket!)

*IRL (In Real Life) aka where you can find me in-person as opposed to your inbox.

Links I Love

My Latest Obsession

Yes, yes, I know I'm wayyy late on this one. And, being the bookworm that I am, I'm reading Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before before I watch the Netflix movie.

More than the love story, which I adore because who doesn't love teenage romance?, I'm obsessed with the relationship the main character, Lara Jean, has with her two sisters.

It reminds me a lot of what I love most about my sister. Yes, we drive each other crazy, but there's no one else I'd rather be driving with. She gets me. Period.

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Well, that's all folks. I hope you enjoyed this edition of LT in the City Weekly! Be sure to follow me on the Interwebs using the buttons below or simply click "reply" to tell me what you think. Thanks a bunches!