Finding Your Professional Passion

Joining the Chrysler Group in the late ’80s W. Alvin Jackson flourished for nearly 35 years on the corporate side of the automotive industry. Then in 2005, Jackson came to a crossroads. Industry growth had slowed, oil prices rose, and Jackson was entering his mid-50s. Offered an early retirement package, he accepted, realizing that the alternative could be a layoff. “But I was too young to sit down and do nothing,” he says. “I wanted to pursue other things.”

No one knows how many career changes the average worker makes, though according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2010 the typical American worker stayed with one employer for 4.4 years. The recent economic downturn, however, may have made career change more common. A variety of situations can prompt an adjustment in your career–relocation, the desire for more responsibility or greater work-life balance, job dissatisfaction, not fitting in with the workplace culture, or feeling like you’re at a dead end–but massive downsizings and layoffs have forced many to reconsider their current positions at work.

In 2006, Jackson moved from West Bloomfield, Michigan, to Atlanta to become owner and operator of PRstore Buckhead. The franchise specialized in providing public relations, advertising, and marketing-related services and materials to small and medium-sized

businesses, allowing Jackson to capitalize on his operational and marketing expertise. “In the first few years the business did extremely well,” he says. “I had up to 350 clients and revenues reached nearly $400,000.” But by 2009, the effects of the recession had hit Jackson’s client base. “Unfortunately, the economic crisis forced me to shut the store down. A lot of my clients ended up closing or could no longer afford to do marketing and advertising.”

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Once again, Jackson needed to design a new occupational path. But this time he rekindled a latent passion and talent that had served him throughout his professional life. “I always had the ability to write well, and I was good at copywriting.”

Not one to let moss grow under his ideas, earlier this year Jackson wrote and self-published a memoir titled Witness ($25.95), which details his personal challenges and accomplishments, such as his rise from poverty and his professional successes. He is currently the managing director and editor for a new publication, Gospel Tribune Atlanta.

Making a smooth career transition requires thought and planning. “People should ask themselves how far they are willing to go,” says Peter Handal, president and CEO of Dale Carnegie Training, a performance-based training company in Hauppauge,

New York. Remember that a career change takes time, so concentrate on finding one that fits well with your passion, interests, and lifestyle. You should also prepare yourself financially, because moving to a different industry may mean a cut in pay. “If you’re going to be living off of less, then you need to make that transition in your lifestyle as well,” says Marlon Cousin, managing partner of The Marquin Group, a boutique executive search firm.

Once you’re ready to make the transition, here’s how to ensure that it’s smooth:

Do a self-assessment. It’s difficult to make a successful transition without a full assessment of your talent, soft skills as well as hard. (Soft skills include work ethic and communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.) A skills assessment is all-important to developing your professional profile. “Oftentimes, it’s those things that you don’t give a lot of credence to that are strengths,” says Jackson. “If someone had said to me that I would be spending my time writing, I would have said, ‘No way.’”

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An easy way to begin your assessment, suggests Handal, is to write down the answers to questions such as ‘What do I like to do?’ ‘Do I like working with numbers?’ ‘Do I like working

with people?’ ‘What am I good at?’ ‘What’s my knowledge base?’ Your list should include items that are private and personal, such as a love for performance, entertaining guests, or baking. Jackson suggests that your self-assessment also include talents that colleagues and friends have observed. “Once you develop your list, ask yourself, ‘What’s the potential for me to pursue this? What are the job opportunities in these areas?’”

In addition to your personal interests, Cousin recommends identifying things you would like to have but can be flexible about, including salary, location, type of work environment, and type of position.

Identify potential careers. Follow your self-assessment with research. Explore occupations that are closely aligned with your interests and goals. “Make a list of all the skill sets you think are required to be successful in that industry,” says Jackson. If possible, schedule meetings with those who are now working in your desired industry, and identify niche conferences and industry events. Attending these will also help you develop your network in a particular area. Also, consider signing up with Vocation Vacations, a company that connects professionals with areas of interest. Clients “test-drive” a career or entrepreneurial opportunity.

Match your transferable skills. From your self-assessment, identify your skills and compare them to those that are

required in the industries and occupations you researched. Some will most likely be transferable. In areas where you’re lacking a specific skill, you can acquire classroom or on-the-job training. You may want to look into certification, which could give you a hiring edge. Consider taking classes at a community college, trade school, or online. Depending on your field of interest, a part-time or temporary post may present a smoother introduction to a new career.

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Get some experience. Volunteering is a great way to acquire experience and networking contacts, especially if you’re transitioning to the nonprofit sector. You can donate your time as often as your schedule permits.

Identify potential employers. Once you have some experience under your belt, list the top 10 organizations that attract you, advises Cousin. “If you want to be a buyer, for instance, think about the top 10 retail companies that can provide that job.” Once you have identified them, get face time by arranging informational interviews, he adds.

Do a financial assessment. Changing careers could lower your salary by as much as 50% as a new entrant. Carefully assess what it will take to manage your financial obligations and what adjustments you can afford to make to your lifestyle.  BE