Hey there,

This month, we're talking about changing jobs or even whole careers.

How many of you have found yourselves staring at your screen, questioning if this is what you will be doing for the rest of your life? Trust me, you're not alone; I've been there too. One of those haunting questions lingers: "Is it time to switch gears in my career?"

Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, we've got tips and advice to help you get to where you want to go in your career.

So, why should you care? Because the world of work is changing, and we all need to keep pace. Whether it's new tech shaking up your industry, or personal life changes that make you question everything, there are countless reasons to reevaluate and potentially redefine your professional journey.

Got some career tips or strategies that worked for you? Hit reply and let us know. We're always looking to share helpful advice.

Let's get started.

Why People Transition Careers and How to Do It Right

Thinking about changing your career? It's not easy, and it can feel terrifying.

But why do people decide to change their careers, and how can you do it without losing your way? Whether you're just changing jobs or stepping into a new field, you'll need patience, bravery and the ability to adapt.

In this article, we'll explore the insights of Natalia Vargas, a Senior Director of Product Design at Cariloop and Mentor at ADPList. Natalia has walked this path herself, successfully transitioning her career, and we'll share her wisdom and experience to help guide you if you're considering making a similar move. Her story offers valuable lessons for anyone contemplating a career change.

Understanding Career Transitions

Career transitions differ from job changes within the same field, as they involve adopting new skills, mindsets, and, often, different industry norms.

Over time, this has evolved, leading to an important question: Why is the nature of careers changing?

The Changing Nature of Careers

Career paths were often linear in the past, with individuals sticking to one profession throughout their working lives.

The traditional career model is based on the notion of employment from the industrial society, the heritage of the School of Scientific Administration, in which the employees exchange with the company: they offer loyalty and dedication and receive rewards, stability and security. In this sense, being out of work means, in the traditional career, being without a job, without reward, unstable and insecure.

Today, however, careers are more dynamic and flexible, influenced by:

• Technological Advances: Such as the rise of AI

• Workforce Demographics: Millennials and Generation Z's values

• The Gig Economy: The rise of freelance work

• Lifelong Learning: Continuous updating of skills

This shift has led to a new model known as the 'boundaryless career,' where professionals manage their paths, reflecting an ongoing trend in the professional landscape.

The boundaryless career refers to the notion that today's professionals manage their own career paths, as they seize new and often different job opportunities to obtain training, enhance their human capital, and remain marketable.

Why People Transition Careers

So why exactly do people decide to transition careers? Various factors influence this decision:

• Personal Fulfillment: Aligning with values or interests

• Compensation and Rank: Economic factors

• Work-Life Balance and Security: Balance and stability

Real-World Examples:

• A senior marketing manager might transition to a creative agency for innovative projects.

• A director of engineering might seek faster progression and better compensation.

• Mid-level managers might transition to a more stable industry to ensure job security.

These examples underscore the multifaceted reasons behind career transitions.

Natalia began her career journey in traditional graphic design and advertising, but she quickly gravitated toward the digital aspects of the campaigns she worked on. An opportunity to intern at a mobile app development company presented itself, and even though the initial role was in marketing rather than in the design role she wanted, she took the chance. She shares:

"I just needed that in. I wanted to be surrounded by that culture. I understood the value of what I would learn, even though it was perceived as a step back."

This proved to be a risk worth taking.

Whatever is driving the desire to change, it’s important we can identify that ourselves.

Keep reading→ 

I hope you enjoyed the articles and insights from this issue of Blueprint.

If there's anything you'd like to share or discuss, just hit reply.

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Kasra Khalili - Editor, Blueprint