Taking the Next Step

When it comes to your career, making a change can often be 0:00 the most frightening step in the process. 0:04 That's because it means disrupting your current 0:06 and perhaps very comfortable situation. 0:09 Uncertainty is the path forward. 0:12 Right? I mean you can go back to the I chose the one less traveled. 0:16 You can do all of those types of things, 0:22 but the reality is if you fall back on what you know 0:24 then you're no longer going anywhere. You're not moving. 0:28 You're going backwards, or you're standing still. 0:31 If you take that chance, if you do the uncertain thing, 0:34 you're going to learn new things. You're going to find something. 0:37 It's like I mentioned having goals, and I change those goals all of the time 0:41 because I do something I didn't think I would do, 0:43 and I realized writing a book is silly. There's no reason for me to write a book. 0:45 It's because everyone else has written one, and I feel like I should, 0:49 but I want that time back so I can then help somebody. Right? 0:51 Some people say without the risk there can be no reward, 0:56 but let's minimize some of that risk right now by getting focused 0:59 on what kind of changes make the most sense for your career. 1:03 If you already have a job, first consider if your current company 1:08 is a suitable place for you to continue along your desired career path. 1:12 If it's a place you enjoy, it has some value to you personally 1:16 so it's certainly worth thinking about. 1:20 To find opportunities where you are, 1:22 start by looking at the current structure of your team, your department, 1:25 or company as a whole, 1:28 and you might see a logical progression for yourself 1:30 from your current position to something more advanced or desirable. 1:33 Some job progressions are clear. 1:37 For example, junior, mid, and senior level positions 1:39 may be a natural part of your team. 1:44 As you move up your responsibilities and salary would increase 1:46 as would your exposure to more complex projects and responsibility. 1:50 Theorizing about opportunities is easy to do, 1:57 but you need information to know for sure. 1:59 If the lines of communication are open, 2:02 having a conversation with your direct supervisor 2:04 or human resources representative is always recommended. 2:08 Most managers would prefer employees who are engaged in the company 2:11 looking for ways to stay and contribute 2:15 rather than employees with no apparent interest in doing more than the minimum. 2:18 Managers don't always know if the people working for them 2:22 want to do more or are looking for a change. 2:26 So taking the initiative here can be very helpful 2:29 and beneficial for everyone; 2:32 however, your current company may not be the right fit for your future plans. 2:35 If you have aspirations to move up or expand upon your current responsibilities, 2:40 but there are no opportunities to do so, 2:45 your current job may be a dead end. 2:47 It's a sad reality to face sometimes, especially when you work with great people 2:50 and make friends along the way; 2:54 however, you have to consider what's best for your career. 2:56 You know I would say you find that one thing that you're really passionate about 3:00 that you want to do. 3:04 You find your skills that you're really good at, 3:05 and then I mentioned this. 3:07 You find that thing that when you're doing it you lose track of time. 3:09 That's when you know that that's what you're supposed to do. 3:12 What I would say is if you don't have anybody paying you to do that 3:15 sort of do it for yourself and put it out there 3:19 and show people what you're capable of 3:23 and show people what it is you care about. 3:25 It could be there's a not for profit, it could be a dog with a hot dog stand, 3:27 it could be whatever, but find something that's real enough 3:31 that it touches somebody else because the big issue I think a lot of people have 3:34 is they build something for themselves, and they keep the energy trapped. 3:37 It has to go out and touch somebody else so that they are like suddenly 3:41 your ambassador saying wow, he is awesome at designing identities, 3:44 and that's what he loves to do. 3:49 Look at what he did with this hot dog cart. 3:51 You know whatever it is, however silly it might feel, 3:53 just work at what it is you love and make sure that it touches somebody else. 3:55 Sometimes the best next step is expanding your skill set. 4:00 If you learn something that could be valuable to your team or business, 4:05 you make yourself more valuable as an employee. 4:09 This is why many companies will pay or reimburse their people 4:12 to supplement their education. 4:15 Investing in the people they have is much cheaper than replacing them. 4:17 For example, an IOS developer might decide to learn Android. 4:22 Not only would this increase their value as an app developer, 4:26 but it can mean new opportunities for the business they already work for; 4:31 however, if the new skill you learn is of no interest to your current employer, 4:35 at least you've increased your value for prospective employers. 4:40 In addition to learning new skills on your own, 4:44 it's always helpful to collaborate with a mentor. 4:47 Consider working with, shadowing, or simply having a cup of coffee 4:50 with a web designer, developer, or someone else with the job you're interested in. 4:55 Ask them what their job entails, 5:00 what tools they use, what skills they find helpful, 5:03 and what the experience is like. 5:07 Understanding how they got into the position you're interested in 5:10 can be very helpful to plotting your own path. 5:14 Everyone's journey is different, 5:17 but professionals already in the industry might know where a few of the shortcuts lie. 5:19