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My career switch began when I started my first business in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I shifted from a full-time laboratory manager role into a marketing communications role.

To be truthful, it was a tough transition to make, but then again, I’ve never heard of a career switch being perfectly smooth.

Despite the challenge, I knew that the career change was right for me.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how I made my career switch. I’ll also share 7 tips from my own learning experiences. These tips will help you make your own career switch, regardless of where you start in your career or where you’d like to end up.

Introduction

I’d been in technical, lab-centered roles for a number of years before I started considering my career shift. While I appreciated the experiences I’d gained and generally enjoyed the work, I was ready for a new challenge.

Following the completion of my MBA in 2016, I knew I’d be ready for something else eventually, but it was some time before I settled on the shift I eventually made.

In 2017, I started my own business. At the time, it was just a hobby. But I dreamed of turning it into something more one day.

After my oldest son was born in 2018, I knew I wanted to work in a job with more flexibility. I also knew that a more social/interactive, and strategic job would be a better fit for my skills and interests.

I favored my marketing courses during the MBA program and decided to specialize in the discipline. It felt like a natural fit since I also enjoyed writing on the side.

While I wasn’t ready to shift away from my industry (biotechnology and life sciences), I was ready to shift into a different specialty, and so I decided to begin acquiring the skills I’d need to make a successful shift.

Building the Skills for My Career Switch

In my own business, I started learning more about marketing and communications (outside of what I’d already learned academically).

I took a few online courses, started my own website, and eventually acquired a few clients. I also began my own portfolio. Over time, I gained more of the skills I would need to succeed in the discipline professionally.

In my full-time job, I sought opportunities to collaborate on a marketing-centered project, but there were no opportunities available. I even applied to a few internal marketing jobs, but my employer was unwilling to let me make the shift.

So once I acquired the skills I needed, I began looking for new opportunities.

The Formal Career Switch

I consider my first role as a communications manager my official career shift, though as you can see, I began this process years earlier.

In the new role, I began working with a smaller biotech company. It was just a contract job, but it was the figurative foot in the door that I needed.

That contract would end smack in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, which might have seemed inopportune.

Admittedly, it was stressful to be jobless during that time, but I did manage to ramp up my business to a full-time gig, so it ended up working out in the end. And to be honest, I acquired vastly more skills when I ramped up my business than I ever did in the contract role.

The Journey Continues

While I’ve continued to take on some clients and work here and there on contract roles, today, I’m more focused on creating content that helps people like you achieve financial freedom by growing your career.

A career shift can be challenging, but sometimes it does make sense. Such a shift can lead to greater satisfaction in your career, increased earnings, and new skills, among other potential benefits.

7 Tips to Support Your Career Switch

If you’re committed to making your own career change here are a few tips for you:

1. Consider a discipline or industry switch, but don’t try to do both at once

It’s challenging to make any kind of career shift, but trying to change your industry and your discipline at the same time is nearly impossible.

Granted, I have heard stories about those that have successfully changed both at the same time, but those stories are the exception and not the norm.

While you should absolutely chase your dreams, do yourself a favor and make it easier on yourself. You can always make another shift down the road when it makes sense.

2. Consider your transferable skills

Even when you make a career shift, you can likely continue to use many of the skills you’ve gained in previous roles.

For instance, even though I shifted my career away from research activities, I still use research skills when I’m writing a piece of content.

Reflect carefully on the skills you’ve obtained, and you may be able to use your unique strengths in an interview to outshine the other candidates.

Psst… if you need some inspiration to help you understand your innate strengths, I recommend reading Strengths Finder, which comes with a free personality quiz when you buy the book new!

3. Network to find relevant opportunities

Considering a career shift, but you’re still not sure exactly what you want to do? Network with professionals in your discipline or industry of interest.

Ask these professionals about their day-to-day work and ask yourself if you can envision enjoying a similar role.

I actually eliminated quite a few prospects after I’d had a chat with some of the people in my network, so it was well worth the time and effort.

4. Uplevel and acquire skills you’ll need to successfully make a career switch

While my MBA helped me make a career shift, it was necessary for me to continue working on my own skills professionally.

Initially, I didn’t have the skills I needed to be a successful marketer. But with practice, training, and additional courses, I was able to acquire the skills I needed.

If you aren’t sure what skills you’ll need to make your career shift, then browse job descriptions. You can also ask other professionals (in jobs you’re interested in) what skills are necessary.

Once you’ve had the chance to list out the skills you’ll need, then draft a plan for how you’ll acquire them. You may be able to get the skills in an existing job, by taking on a new job, volunteering, taking courses, or even starting your own business.

5. Don’t be afraid to start something on the side to uplevel your skills

In many cases, I learned vastly more in my own business than I did in any job.

If you’re having a hard time making the shift in your full-time gig, don’t be afraid to start something up on your own. You can even turn your side gig into a full-time career if it makes sense for you.

As an independent business owner, you can set your own hours and decide which clients you want to take on. Sometimes the freedom and flexibility alone are worth it.

6. Implement tools to support your successful career switch

Along my own journey, I implemented a vast collection of tools to streamline my professional efforts, both in my business and in more traditional jobs.

To this day, one of my favorite tools is ClickUp, a fantastic project management tool that I’ve found incredibly valuable for tracking the progress toward my goals.

7. Consider discussing your aspirations with your current employer 

While my employer wasn’t supportive of my aspirations, some employers are, especially if it helps them retain top talent. So if it makes sense for you, then discuss your desire for a career shift with your employer.

Personally, I find it best to speak my truth, and that includes in my own career, but I also understand that not all workplaces are safe places to speak openly. Use your best judgment here!

Conclusion

A career shift can be difficult, and while it’s not for everyone, it might make sense for you.

Are you considering a career change of your own? Or have you already successfully navigated a change? If so, I’d love to hear your story! Tell me about the change you’re considering (or already made) in the comments below.

And remember to check back frequently for the latest ways to FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom. Best of luck to you on your journey!

Think making your own career switch will help you FIRE Your Career? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Tools I recommend in this article:

Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)

ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking and project management tool)