1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:04,220
When it comes to your career, making a change can often be

2
00:00:04,220 --> 00:00:06,600
the most frightening step in the process. 

3
00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,910
That's because it means disrupting your current 

4
00:00:09,910 --> 00:00:12,410
and perhaps very comfortable situation.

5
00:00:12,410 --> 00:00:16,860
Uncertainty is the path forward. 

6
00:00:16,860 --> 00:00:22,300
Right? I mean you can go back to the I chose the one less traveled. 

7
00:00:22,300 --> 00:00:24,380
You can do all of those types of things, 

8
00:00:24,380 --> 00:00:28,450
but the reality is if you fall back on what you know 

9
00:00:28,450 --> 00:00:31,620
then you're no longer going anywhere. You're not moving.

10
00:00:31,620 --> 00:00:34,090
You're going backwards, or you're standing still.

11
00:00:34,090 --> 00:00:37,880
If you take that chance, if you do the uncertain thing,

12
00:00:37,880 --> 00:00:41,140
you're going to learn new things. You're going to find something. 

13
00:00:41,140 --> 00:00:43,990
It's like I mentioned having goals, and I change those goals all of the time

14
00:00:43,990 --> 00:00:45,990
because I do something I didn't think I would do,

15
00:00:45,990 --> 00:00:49,350
and I realized writing a book is silly. There's no reason for me to write a book.

16
00:00:49,350 --> 00:00:51,720
It's because everyone else has written one, and I feel like I should,

17
00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:56,050
but I want that time back so I can then help somebody. Right?

18
00:00:56,050 --> 00:00:59,730
Some people say without the risk there can be no reward,

19
00:00:59,730 --> 00:01:03,480
but let's minimize some of that risk right now by getting focused

20
00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:07,480
on what kind of changes make the most sense for your career. 

21
00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:12,140
If you already have a job, first consider if your current company

22
00:01:12,140 --> 00:01:16,640
is a suitable place for you to continue along your desired career path.

23
00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:20,630
If it's a place you enjoy, it has some value to you personally

24
00:01:20,630 --> 00:01:22,720
so it's certainly worth thinking about. 

25
00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,020
To find opportunities where you are, 

26
00:01:25,020 --> 00:01:28,850
start by looking at the current structure of your team, your department, 

27
00:01:28,850 --> 00:01:30,850
or company as a whole,

28
00:01:30,850 --> 00:01:33,590
and you might see a logical progression for yourself

29
00:01:33,590 --> 00:01:37,340
from your current position to something more advanced or desirable. 

30
00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:39,730
Some job progressions are clear.

31
00:01:39,730 --> 00:01:44,090
For example, junior, mid, and senior level positions

32
00:01:44,090 --> 00:01:46,670
may be a natural part of your team. 

33
00:01:46,670 --> 00:01:50,370
As you move up your responsibilities and salary would increase 

34
00:01:50,370 --> 00:01:55,850
as would your exposure to more complex projects and responsibility. 

35
00:01:57,100 --> 00:01:59,910
Theorizing about opportunities is easy to do,

36
00:01:59,910 --> 00:02:02,970
but you need information to know for sure. 

37
00:02:02,970 --> 00:02:04,970
If the lines of communication are open, 

38
00:02:04,970 --> 00:02:08,000
having a conversation with your direct supervisor

39
00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:11,900
or human resources representative is always recommended.

40
00:02:11,900 --> 00:02:15,890
Most managers would prefer employees who are engaged in the company

41
00:02:15,890 --> 00:02:18,870
looking for ways to stay and contribute 

42
00:02:18,870 --> 00:02:22,760
rather than employees with no apparent interest in doing more than the minimum.

43
00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:26,500
Managers don't always know if the people working for them

44
00:02:26,500 --> 00:02:29,440
want to do more or are looking for a change. 

45
00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,540
So taking the initiative here can be very helpful

46
00:02:32,540 --> 00:02:35,400
and beneficial for everyone; 

47
00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:40,100
however, your current company may not be the right fit for your future plans.

48
00:02:40,100 --> 00:02:45,390
If you have aspirations to move up or expand upon your current responsibilities, 

49
00:02:45,390 --> 00:02:47,840
but there are no opportunities to do so, 

50
00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:50,770
your current job may be a dead end.

51
00:02:50,770 --> 00:02:54,850
It's a sad reality to face sometimes, especially when you work with great people

52
00:02:54,850 --> 00:02:56,850
and make friends along the way; 

53
00:02:56,850 --> 00:03:00,900
however, you have to consider what's best for your career.

54
00:03:00,900 --> 00:03:03,440
You know I would say you find that one thing that you're really passionate about

55
00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:05,440
that you want to do.

56
00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,450
You find your skills that you're really good at, 

57
00:03:07,450 --> 00:03:09,450
and then I mentioned this. 

58
00:03:09,450 --> 00:03:12,240
You find that thing that when you're doing it you lose track of time.

59
00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:15,500
That's when you know that that's what you're supposed to do.

60
00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:19,360
What I would say is if you don't have anybody paying you to do that

61
00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:23,140
sort of do it for yourself and put it out there

62
00:03:23,140 --> 00:03:25,400
and show people what you're capable of

63
00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:27,660
and show people what it is you care about.

64
00:03:27,660 --> 00:03:31,750
It could be there's a not for profit, it could be a dog with a hot dog stand,

65
00:03:31,750 --> 00:03:34,560
it could be whatever, but find something that's real enough 

66
00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:37,730
that it touches somebody else because the big issue I think a lot of people have

67
00:03:37,730 --> 00:03:41,260
is they build something for themselves, and they keep the energy trapped. 

68
00:03:41,260 --> 00:03:44,690
It has to go out and touch somebody else so that they are like suddenly

69
00:03:44,690 --> 00:03:49,320
your ambassador saying wow, he is awesome at designing identities, 

70
00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,320
and that's what he loves to do.

71
00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:53,450
Look at what he did with this hot dog cart.

72
00:03:53,450 --> 00:03:55,550
You know whatever it is, however silly it might feel, 

73
00:03:55,550 --> 00:04:00,990
just work at what it is you love and make sure that it touches somebody else.

74
00:04:00,990 --> 00:04:05,510
Sometimes the best next step is expanding your skill set.

75
00:04:05,510 --> 00:04:09,390
If you learn something that could be valuable to your team or business, 

76
00:04:09,390 --> 00:04:12,060
you make yourself more valuable as an employee.

77
00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:15,630
This is why many companies will pay or reimburse their people

78
00:04:15,630 --> 00:04:17,800
to supplement their education. 

79
00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:22,010
Investing in the people they have is much cheaper than replacing them.

80
00:04:22,010 --> 00:04:26,940
For example, an IOS developer might decide to learn Android.

81
00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:31,240
Not only would this increase their value as an app developer, 

82
00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,370
but it can mean new opportunities for the business they already work for;

83
00:04:35,370 --> 00:04:40,300
however, if the new skill you learn is of no interest to your current employer, 

84
00:04:40,300 --> 00:04:44,310
at least you've increased your value for prospective employers. 

85
00:04:44,310 --> 00:04:47,130
In addition to learning new skills on your own, 

86
00:04:47,130 --> 00:04:50,910
it's always helpful to collaborate with a mentor.

87
00:04:50,910 --> 00:04:55,490
Consider working with, shadowing, or simply having a cup of coffee

88
00:04:55,490 --> 00:05:00,310
with a web designer, developer, or someone else with the job you're interested in.

89
00:05:00,310 --> 00:05:03,400
Ask them what their job entails,

90
00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:07,030
what tools they use, what skills they find helpful,

91
00:05:07,030 --> 00:05:09,580
and what the experience is like.

92
00:05:10,830 --> 00:05:14,030
Understanding how they got into the position you're interested in

93
00:05:14,030 --> 00:05:17,580
can be very helpful to plotting your own path.

94
00:05:17,580 --> 00:05:19,570
Everyone's journey is different,

95
00:05:19,570 --> 00:05:24,390
but professionals already in the industry might know where a few of the shortcuts lie.