Switching Industries Amidst a Pandemic

Andrew Seaman, in his article on LinkedIn, addresses the query of many, seeking to switch industries amidst the pandemic. He writes about how the colossal depredations brought about by the Covid-19 upsurge has led to people reassessing and reanalyzing their career choices and if at all, they should be pursuing it in the face of this unprecedented global situation. In order to quell their apprehensions about making a switch in terms of their profession, Seaman reached out to Jenny Blake, who authored Pivot and is a career strategist.

Is switching industries a wise decision? Seaman mentions that according to Blake, one has to take three factors into account if they are seeking to switch industries in order to venture into a new sector. These three determinants, Andrew writes, might vary depending on the personal countenance and preference of an individual. He lists the three factors mentioned by Blake as tolerance and adaptability to risk, the “Pivot runaway” which refers to one’s financial shield and finally, the ardent yearning of one to transition into a new domain irrespective of the difficulties that might come along with the same.

Once you have taken a firm decision to switch industries, Seaman writes, it is important now to specifically come to a decision regarding the particular sector or field that you would want to venture into. He notes that, as per Blake, while making such a call, it is crucial to identify what it is that one is particularly proficient in. Along with that, it is equally significant to recognize the chief purpose or objective for which you seek to work. Further, the field that one chooses must be specifically aligned with one’s interests. Only an amalgam of all these factors, Andrew writes, will ensure that one makes the right choice while making the switch.

Seaman mentions that despite the urge to switch industries, what might hold one back from taking the actual leap, is the hesitancy that stems forth from the lack of adequate experience associated with that industry. Therefore, he writes that according to Blake, equipping oneself with a few minor steps in the right direction, might help in this regard. For instance, networking is crucial so as to build connections, developing the required skill-set to aid the transition and starting out with contractual or part-time projects in the initial days might build up the tempo. Further, Andrew also mentions how Blake highlighted the importance of setting up a realistic goal, taking into account the current situation as well as an aspired goal so as to prevent oneself from getting off the track.

Finally, Andrew Seaman notes that above everything else, it is important to believe that such change is indeed possible. Therefore, even in the midst of a pandemic, switching industries is indeed plausible provided one can back such a transition with the required skill set and a robust belief system to support their decision.