The dos and don’ts of navigating a career change

Finding the degree you studied is not the field you wish to work in can be devastating but there are plenty of options to get your career dreams back on track.

Finding the degree you studied is not the field you wish to work in can be devastating but there are plenty of options to get your career dreams back on track.

Experts believe there is no such thing as a “wasted” degree and say any study can provide important teachings for a new career direction.

“(Not working within your field of study) is more common than you would think,’’ says career coach Leonie Stanfield, from the Career Development Association of Australia.

“But nothing is a waste of time as long as you learn from it. The world of work is like going for a walk – there’s pathways that are well maintained but there’s also lots of paths that are less well trodden.

“You don’t have to turn back all the way to change track. You might go back just a little way or take a side path or you can bush bash your own side path.’’

What don’t you like?

Stanfield says the key to choosing a more rewarding career path is determining what you didn’t like about your previous study, or the jobs it led to.

“It might be that you’re not using the skills you really enjoy – maybe you’re just putting data into a spreadsheet rather than analysing the data,’’ she says.

“It might be that you thought this job was all about helping people but, actually, it’s all about making money. Once you’ve worked out what it is that is not satisfying, that will help (to guide future career decisions).’’

Also consider whether external factors are to blame, such as having a micromanaging boss, or if you hold unrealistic expectations about new graduate roles.

“Rather than ditch the job, connect with others who are further along in their career and ask them, ‘Is this how you felt when you started out?’ and ‘What is it like for you now?’,’’ Stanfield says.

What next?

Good Education Group general manager Ross White says it’s worth taking stock of the transferable skills learned during your degree, such as communication and teamwork, that are highly valued in all roles and sectors.

He says many graduates of generalist degrees already rely on these skills to find employment that is not directly related to their major, or area of specialisation. Strategic career adviser Catherine Cunningham, director of The Career Consultancy, says micro credentials or short

courses can help if further skilling is required and are far quicker to complete than embarking on another university qualification.

Before committing to a career path, Cunningham recommends speaking with workers in that sector about their experience to ensure it aligns with your interests.

“Getting direct feedback from people in the field about what they like and don’t like about their job can really help you decide whether it’s right for you,’’ she says.

Georgia Klinakis (left) teamed with sister Melanie to create Baked by M&G, which specialises in Greek baked goods inspired by their grandmother.

Cooking up a new career

Georgia Klinakis loved studying accounting at school so a career in accountancy made perfect sense.

But in her first job after graduating from university, she realised it wasn’t right for her.

“It just never felt like I was getting the satisfaction out of the role that I thought I would,’’ she says.

“I used to dread going to work and I spent every weekend thinking about the following Monday.’’

Klinakis, 24, took a short break and eventually decided to pursue her passion for cooking.

She teamed up with her sister Melanie, who was working in marketing, to create Baked by M&G, which specialises in Greek baked goods inspired by their grandmother.

The pair say they enjoy every minute of cooking, marketing the goods online and delivering the treats to customers. They were recently awarded a Brisbane Lord Mayor Women in Business Grant they hope will help to secure their own commercial kitchen.

“I always thought uni was the path you had to take – you pick a course and do it, then you get a job and you stay there for the rest of your life,’’ Klinakis says.

“But I don’t regret the path I’ve taken. (The accounting degree has) made me understand the business side of things more and how to run our business.

“And it’s sometimes really hard to know what is right for you until you give it a go.’’

Originally published as The dos and don’ts of navigating a career change