Making the jump

Career changes can be a nerve wracking thing, but they can also be so worthwhile.

The inertia once you start going down a career path can be immense. This is where I found myself several years ago working in Human Resources in a job that was making me miserable. When you are so far down the line in your career and you can feel stuck, like your skills aren’t transferrable, and that gaining new skills seems overwhelming, it can be paralyzing.

So how can you get started in making a change?

1. Set an end goal
   What is the job you would like to wind up in? How can you get there? For me the goal was becoming a Software Developer, and I set my eyes on the prize.
2. Make a plan
   How can you get from here to your end goal? In order to become a Software Developer I needed to learn how to program, and also obtain a credential that would help me find jobs (a degree). I researched programs and determined that a Computer Science degree from Oregon State would be my best option
3. Make the jump
   Execute the steps of the plan! I found that having a plan to follow made things feel less overwhelming. If I felt stuck or overwhelmed I could always just follow the steps I had already laid out for myself.
4. Nose to the grindstone
   Put the work in to achieve that goal. You have to actually put in the effort, to execute the plan. For me this has been three years of coursework while simultaneously working full time. While at times it has been grueling, it has also been incredibly fulfilling to know that I’m working towards something I want to do. And now I’m so close to the finish line, I can almost taste it.

Getting started often feels the hardest, and the only way to get past that is to just… do something.

So if you’re thinking about making the leap, why not just jump?