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.