How to overcome your fear of switching industries

It's only natural to feel like changing your career path is an insurmountable task. And you’re not alone in experiencing these emotions – 63% of Filipino respondents of the #IMadeTheSwitch survey are concerned about switching career paths. It may seem impossible at first, and you might be tempted to give up and stick with your current workplace despite being unsatisfied. Just as Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship braved all odds and completed their journey, you, too, must overcome your anxiety. Here’s how:

Lean on your friends and family for support

Making the transition from a role you’ve been in for years into completely unfamiliar waters can be nerve-wracking. As terrified as you may feel, take comfort in the guidance and support of your friends and family. Lean on them whenever you find yourself in the need of a pep talk or a reality check. Changing careers is stressful and time-consuming, but immensely rewarding in the long run. When you’re down in the dump, rely on your loved ones for some much-needed emotional assistance. Confiding in them about your career-related insecurities will help you to feel unburdened. After all, nearly 43% of professionals in the Philippines were the sole earner for their families.

Research thoroughly
 
Know everything you can about your new industry. The fear of the unknown can be rather unnerving, but not if you have Google and a few uninterrupted hours at your side – this will at least give you a cursory overview of the role and industry. The process of uncovering more information about your desired career path will likely be slow and possibly frustrating. Expect and embrace roadblocks along the way, as it’s all part of the learning process. There are a lot of things about your situation which aren’t necessarily in your control, so focus on nailing the things you can.

Reach out to the correct people

Though scouring the net for factoids is fun, nothing beats a hearty conversation with knowledgeable people. Thankfully, there are professional networking events and websites dedicated solely to helping industry executives connect. What better way to get to know more about the realities of working in your dream industry than by asking the people already involved in it? Be sure to ask for both pros and cons when chatting with them – as much as we like to brush it under the carpet, we need to keep ourselves educated about the less glamorous aspects of our dream job. Actively seek out other kindred spirits who have made career changes, so you can learn from their mistakes. Who knows, you may end up connecting with another person undertaking the same journey as you!

Evaluate your current situation

Knowing where you stand is the biggest gift you can give yourself prior to embarking on this professional voyage. The sheer volume of work that lies ahead of you might make you panic, but at least you'll have a realistic assessment of your situation. Do not panic – try to approach the situation as a quest or a challenge you must complete. Start making a checklist of all the things you need to clear, and get cracking. Thankfully, 87% of Filipinos believed that they were adequately equipped to take this giant leap of career-spanning faith.