The Show Notes:
3 Helpful Tips if You Can't Decide What Career is Next For You
In this episode, I’m going to share three helpful tips you need when you can’t decide what career is next for you! Do you ever feel like you just still haven’t figured out what you want to be when you grow up? It can be really overwhelming to decide which direction to head next when the classroom has been your home for so long. Especially when your experience and your interests don’t necessarily match up.
1 - Choose to Do Something (Rather than Nothing)
As teachers, we have a true strength in being able to plan and prepare. So naturally, it can be really easy to get stuck in the research phase of anything, but especially when it comes to making a huge decision. What you need to know is that analysis paralysis is a real thing and can keep you very stuck if you don’t call it out.
Additionally, when you can’t decide what career is next, it is super easy for teachers to get stuck battling perfectionism. If you want to see what’s possible for your future, it will never be a well-paved path. There will be speedbumps, but that doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It just means you need to pivot and make adjustments. And that’s a good thing!
2 - Clarity Comes Through Action
Next, it’s important to remember any time we do something new, it is normal to feel anxious. So when you notice the list of things that feel impossible growing, ask yourself -what can you do? Here are some easy places to start:
Network: Connect with someone who already has the job you are interested in! Reach out and ask if they are interested in having an informational interview. You’d be surprised how excited people get to talk about what they do.
Learn a Skill: There are so many opportunities to learn something new-both free and paid. Check out Linkedin Learning. Listen to an audiobook. Take a Teacher Transition course.
Take Surveys or Assessments: There are so many tools available that can take your input and direct you to helpful resources. In our monthly membership, you have access to a research-based one in the Find Your Next Dream Job course! Or you can take the quiz at teachertransition.com/quiz to get a baseline direction.
Attend a Conference: This is a great way to learn what is trending and most in-demand when it comes to jobs in EdTech, Instructional Design, or whatever else you’re curious about. It’s also the ideal place to network!
Do a Job Search: Looking for jobs online will cost you nothing. But it may show you what’s possible when you use certain search terms. You could even go so far as to apply. The worst that could happen is that you get an interview or a job offer. Would that really be the worst situation?
3 - Have a Growth Mindset About Your Future
Lastly, sometimes the best opportunities come just beyond our first step. It’s possible that you discover that the first job you take in a new field is not your dream job. But what if it was the confidence builder you needed to apply for the job you really want? Does that mean that the first job was a misstep? Absolutely not!
When you take that first step, it can become this incredible springboard. You have the space you need to get experience with some new skills, and get paid, all while you continue researching! We have to practice this growth mindset like we teach our students to. You are always going to learn. You are always going to improve.
If you’re ready to take a step to learn more about what opportunities are available, there’s still time to get the materials from the Teacher Transition Summit! Get access to over $1,000 worth of resources, instruction, guest speakers, community, and more. Click here to get all the details!
So what small step can you take today to get unstuck?
Could you use the extra support in taking the next step after the classroom?
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Resources Mentioned in the Show
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