Comments on: How to Break into an Unfamiliar Industry

By: 5 Tips On How To Become A "Professional" Rockstar

5 Tips On How To Become A "Professional" Rockstar — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 22:29:54 +0000

[...] that charity work provides can make you a more versatile, attractive employee, not to mention a more competitive job seeker. In fact, 41 percent of hiring authorities surveyed by LinkedIn rated volunteer experience [...]

By: Some links for you … | Job Stalker

Some links for you … | Job Stalker — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 06:25:45 +0000

[...] • How to Break into an Unfamiliar Industry [...]

By: Diana Antholis

Diana Antholis — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:31:00 +0000

What is your experience?

By: Diana Antholis

Diana Antholis — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:31:00 +0000

Hi Ruth, this is a great article. You outlined a few simple, but highly effective ways to change careers. Sometimes people need help noticing how their current skills can translate to a new career.

By: Diana Antholis

Diana Antholis — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:30:00 +0000

In that case, as others said, you do have to start from the bottom. Anyone who has worked can transfer general knowledge skills of how to work in a team, etc, but you would have to look into shadowing opportunities, certificates, or going back to school.

By: Diana Antholis

Diana Antholis — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:27:00 +0000

I was going to mention the same – volunteering. That way you can get specific and gain experience.

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:10:00 +0000

Actually, teaching was the direction that I shifted FROM. A bit of a long story but thanks for the help.

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:07:00 +0000

Interesting. It sounds like you may have begun to lose hope, if you will. It might be a good idea to shift toward another area. For example, I have an uncle who graduated with a degree in geology (back in the 1980s). He couldn’t find a steady, full-time job, so finally he decided to get his teaching degree. He now teaches high school science and loves it. Just thought I’d share that story. Keep pushing and I believe something will work out. Best of luck.

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 01:20:00 +0000

Networking over 2 years has dug up 3 people in my field who have all refused to meet in person and provided a total of 1 referral

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:45:00 +0000

First off, I’d say network as if your life depended on it. Do some basic online research to find what nonprofits are located in your area and consider reaching out to them with what you have to offer. There are also volunteer “opportunity banks” out there that can help you find opportunities. VolunteerMatch.org is a national one, but I found a volunteer position on a local (to NY) one not long ago, so it wouldn’t hurt to look for local ones, either. I know it’s tough, but if you just stay positive and keep going, I believe everything will work out. Also keep in mind that, as unfair as it is, there is a certain degree of luck, or serendipity, involved. Kind of a right place, right time kind of thing. But the more people you get to know in your industry (online or in person), the more likely you are to run into opportunities “by chance.” Good luck and hope this helps!

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 22:05:00 +0000

Any advice on accomplishing this? I’ve yet to see an internship that didn’t require you being a student or fit other very specific requirements and haven’t been able to get my foot in the door to volunteer either.

By: Nat Geo?s Guide to the National Parks of Canada Released Today « elearningnewsgr

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:18:11 +0000

[...] time trips [...]

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:46:00 +0000

That makes sense. If I were you, I would do everything I could to get experiences that I could translate into a dream job. See my comment above about volunteering or interning. Even starting out with a desired employer in a lower position and then working your way to the position you want when it becomes available and you have a bit more working experience.

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:43:00 +0000

That’s true they are generally for students, but it wouldn’t hurt to look at them because sometimes they do take graduates. Another thing for college graduates to consider is volunteer or pro-bono work. Working without pay is obviously not ideal, but it could help to improve your chances in the long run.

By: kaleigh somers

kaleigh somers — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:36:00 +0000

I love that you mention your college newspaper. I’m an editor for the paper and feel like I learn so much just by reporting on and editing stories about a variety of topics–not only legal cases, but everything from energy efficient cars to the history of the university. And it’s a quick turn-around. The personalization is key, too. And if you have experience in marketing, don’t forget you’re still applying for a marketing position, just in a capacity you’re less familiar with. If you’re willing to learn, do the research and make sure they know that.

By: Djordje Djokic

Djordje Djokic — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:45:00 +0000

If you are changing to something completely new, then you have to start from the root. You will not be able to start as Mechanic for a Formula One racing team, but as apprentice with local mechanic.

By: Djordje Djokic

Djordje Djokic — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:32:00 +0000

You have to be willing to learn and that is they key. Of course, it is easier when you can use some of the skills you already have.

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:13:00 +0000

Unfortunately, internships are generally only for students, so once you are out of school, you are SOL.

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 06:12:00 +0000

Actually, Colorado is a great place to be for water resources. It’s actually where the water rights schema used by western states was first originated. My issue has mostly been the entry level dilemma. As with most fields these days, jobs just don’t exist to start you off when you only have a basic framework of skills and need to learn the specifics. “Entry level” jobs require that you have prior experience to hit the ground running.

By: Dave Ellis - YouTern

Dave Ellis - YouTern — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:51:00 +0000

You took some of the words right out of my… keyboard… Edward. I was going to suggest that internships are a fantastic resource for not only trying out a new industry to get a feel for it, but also to gain some experience.

By: Five Great Bars of Madison « elearningnewsgr

Five Great Bars of Madison « elearningnewsgr — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:55:37 +0000

[...] trip [...]

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:57:00 +0000

This was really helpfull. These days, it can be handy to have in mind ways to be flexible with the companies you work for.

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:21:00 +0000

Athletics is a good example because it’ an extremely popular niche. In the end, though, your communication skills and experience should be able to bring you through any job. If you stress that in your resume, cover letter and interview, I think you’d have a good chance!

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:20:00 +0000

Well, some jobs, such as a mechanic job, that requires specific technical knowledge would obviously require additional training. The point I was trying to make is if you have something like IT or marketing or accounting,etc., you could break into another industry. You’d still be doing the same types of tasks, just for a different industry. For example, going from being an IT professional at Apple to an IT professional for a construction company is much different from going from IT professional at Apple to mechanic. It can be done with a little education (formal or otherwise), but something that requires an entirely new skills set will require additional education and experience, in my opinion.

By: Ruth A. Harper

Ruth A. Harper — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 03:15:00 +0000

Thanks for reading and sorry to hear you haven’t found a job yet! Are you looking in a particular location? I know it can be difficult to find certain jobs in certain locations. Or, you could try looking around for another science-related field that would interest you

By: JeffCasmer

JeffCasmer — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 19:34:00 +0000

This is a fantastic article. I was in the sales/retail industry and hired hundreds of people for jobs in various companies and you must be confident. I can smell someone who is not confident in an interview a mile away. It doesn’t matter what kind of resume you have.

By: Michael Dvorscak

Michael Dvorscak — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 11:02:00 +0000

This is good advice, depending on the nature of the industry, it may be possible to develop a portfolio or moonlight in the field.

By: Stoprisk

Stoprisk — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 06:58:00 +0000

This is great advice.
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stoprisk@live.com

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:59:00 +0000

I graduated with a very generic science degree, so I don’t have a lot of experience in any field and (what I kick myself for) didn’t take any internships. It’s been two years now and still no job in my primary interest (water resources) and no full-time job in my secondary interest (horticulture, which I at least have experience for).

I really like this list, but I haven’t been able to find anyone online who is talking about water resources.

By: Jrandom42

Jrandom42 — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:51:00 +0000

Interesting. But how do you break into an unfamiliar field where none of your core skills transfer to a meanful degree?

For example, I’m an IT pro with several years of experience. How would I be able to transfer that experience in something like, a mechanic for a Formula One racing team? And what do you do when you run into an almost vertical learning curve once you’re on the job?

By: Kelly Hayes

Kelly Hayes — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 20:23:00 +0000

This is great stuff. I’m trying to transition from working in athletics communications and web management to something outside of the sports realm and finding that seeing only athletics experience makes companies ignore the fact that I have the skill set for the job.

By: Tatiana

Tatiana — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:04:00 +0000

This is really great advice! I want to transition into a different field (communications) though I don’t any experience in the area. I’m glad you wrote this because I’ve been panicking about how to break in.