Starting a new career can be exciting, especially for professionals who want to improve their skill sets and earning potential. In today’s global climate, many spheres stand out, some of which include IT, marketing, and design. Choosing between these three spheres can quickly become a headache, considering that all spheres can lead to high incomes and give people the opportunity to work from home. This article will explore IT, marketing, design, and how to start a new career.
IT
IT stands for Information Technology. It involves using computers, networks, software, and other tools and technologies to manage and manipulate data. IT covers diverse fields, from hardware (computer engineering) to software (coding and software development), cybersecurity, networking, and data management. If you want to start a new career in IT, you would have to delve into any of these fields.
Marketing
Marketing is another diverse sphere, covering fields and sub-fields like traditional marketing, digital marketing, social media marketing, SEO, branding, content strategy and creation, and so much more. Delving into marketing means becoming an expert in some of the fields mentioned. How do I start a new career in marketing? By understanding the nuances of the field.
Design
Design is less extensive than marketing and IT, but it is still an exciting industry. In design, you can achieve expertise in digital design, branding, web design, UI/UX, and others. We’ll explore how to start a new career path in design.
How to Get Started in a New Career and What Field to Choose
Choosing a field to pursue a career depends on a host of factors. Let’s examine them:
- Passion: It’s essential to choose a career you are passionate about. Learning is a critical point. One of the mistakes many people make is that they choose their careers based on what’s trending or what seems to pay the most. While IT has more lucrative job offers, many marketers earn 6 to 7 figures yearly from marketing. Design can also be lucrative and can be a foundation for marketing.
- Access to tools: Some career paths would involve a lot of high-tech tools. For example, designing with tools like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop would involve using laptops with more robust capacities. Marketing tools are less expensive. Basic coding can be done with basic computers, but you must upgrade them.
- Community: If you live in an area with easy access to experts in a field, you may choose that career path because you can gain hands-on experience from people who are very good at it.
- Time-to-market: You must consider how long you have to learn before offering services as a professional in a particular field. For example, if you choose IT, you may learn website development before learning quality assurance. This is because, with knowledge of Python, HTML, and CSS, you can build a website and offer the service to clients. For marketing, you can first focus on a Facebook advertisement, master it, and offer it to potential clients before deciding what to learn next.
Starting a New Career: What to Do When Entering a New Career from an Old Career
- A bird at hand: Remember the saying, “A bird at hand is worth more than three flying.” Also, “The grass is greener on the other side.” Only dump your career once you have tested the waters of your new career. It’s challenging to network and get clients; however, it’s easy to lose clients. If you dump your old career just because you think you can earn more in another field, you will have to work much harder to regain the lost clients.
- Consistency: Learning a new skill can be arduous, but if you are consistent, it becomes easier. Take each day as it comes, and try to spend at least two hours. Don’t miss a single day.
- Get hands-on experience: Beyond learning, start experimenting with your newfound skills in real-world scenarios and marketplaces. Contact companies and colleagues with better expertise and ask if you can intern. It would mean earning less, but it’s not about the money, is it?
- Network: Always network through seminars, webinars, and workshops. Join online communities of professionals on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Discord. Share your work, ask for feedback, and be open enough to accept input.
- Share your best work: Don’t hide yourself. Don’t wait until you are an expert to share your work. Put yourself out there, and you will be surprised at the number of companies willing to hire a beginner or an intermediate-level professional for a job.
Conclusion
IT, marketing, and design–are three diverse fields, yet the same principle applies to each when starting a new career in any of them. Before you choose, ensure that you are passionate about the field. Don’t jump into a new career because of the possibility of earning a higher income. Beyond passion, consider the financial implications of your decision, including the effect of the new career on your current job and the possibility of quitting your job to face your new passion. Consider tools, resources, and time-to-market before choosing a new career.
Author: Gregory Swenson
Gregory is an experienced IT professional with a knack for solving complex tech challenges. With over a decade in software development and technology consulting, he shares his insights and expertise through articles to help others navigate the IT landscape.