5 tips for undergrads thinking about career switch

Most of us start choosing our future career path at the tender age of 18 to 20, and often we’ve chosen based on what our parents recommend or based on the monetary prospects of that career path. The flaw in our system is that we do not have the time to carefully ponder nor experience what kind of industry is suitable for us. 

Such a flaw leads to many of us regretting the course of study we have entered or the specialization that we chose. 

But does that mean it’s the end of the world? Certainly not. With the increasing accessibility of e-books and online courses, switching career paths may not be as tough as you perceive. 

Tip 1: Identify your current problem

What is your current situation? Do you not enjoy your course of study? Do you struggle to do well? Do you have zero interest in the industry you will enter? 

Start with identifying your current problem and situation. By doing so, you can better assess yourself to better understand what subsequent steps needed to be taken. 

To give an example, my personal experience was that I wanted to try out the banking and finance industry, which I then specialized in after my first year. With this in mind, I took up an internship in the risk department of an accounting firm (not the closest to banking but the closest I could get). The internship was an eye-opener because I realized that perhaps this is not the industry I would like to be in, for I utterly detested the work I had to do there. Upon completing my internship, I returned to school and started my studies in my specialization, it was a disaster for me as one, I had no interest in what I’m learning and two, I could not perform well at all. 

As much as people usually say that what you study is not what you do, in my situation, I couldn’t deal with numbers well and I had no interest in financial topics. I understood that my problem lies in that my abilities and strengths couldn’t be applied in my current specialization. This made it easier for me to decide to change career paths.

Tip 2: Decide on what other career path you want to switch to

By understanding your problem and assessing your situation, you should be able to decide if you should stick with the current industry or switch to something else that may be more suitable. 

What next? Of course, that is to explore and decide what other career paths to switch to. Some people may have some ideas some may not. It is okay to feel lost and trapped, it is in fact normal to feel so. But focus on your subsequent steps to take. 

For people who already have an idea on what to switch to, you’re lucky, because then you can jump to tip 3! For people who are lost on what to do, start by assessing yourself again. 

List down your strengths and weaknesses, the hard and soft skills you possess and your interests. 

For illustration purposes only.

The above is an example. By listing everything down, it will give you a big picture of where your abilities are better fitted in. Then based on your strengths, skills and interests, try to identify what kind of industry you are more fitted for. In the above example, with a strength in writing and interest in K-drama, perhaps there is a role in copywriting for entertainment blogs? 

The point is to be open to all available options and industries, as weird as they may sound to you. You never know if the weirdest industries may be where you are best fitted in! 

Tip 3: Resume and Cover Letters are your first steps to a different industry! 

Whether or not you have decided on your other career path, these are actual actions that you can take to be closer to jumping out of your current course of study. 

Most importantly, write up a resume and cover letter that suits the profile of the new industry that you are jumping into. If you are unsure of what a good resume and cover letters comprises of, attend resume workshops at your schools. Personally, I attended a resume workshop just for Marketing resumes and it did greatly aid me in my crafting of resume. 

Tip 4: Cliché but internships are your best chance!

With the resume and cover letter, apply to as many internships as you can. No matter what roles or the scale of the company, just apply!

Additionally, if you are really set on jumping out of the industry, be prepared to take a Leave of Absence from school to take up 6 months internships. Usually, 6-month internships have lower competition and it is where you can learn the most because your mentors and superiors are able to pass on more knowledge compared to a 3-month summer internship.

Tip 5: Have a good mindset

Despite completing your resume and applying to all kinds of internships, you may still not be able to secure any relevant ones. You may continue to feel trapped and extremely lost. 

Hence, it’s very important to keep a good mindset! Continue to brush up on your technical skills that are relevant to the industry, read books, take up online courses to get professional certificates and don’t stop trying!

There is always a tough uphill to run before you reach the peak, but it will all be worth it in the end. 

With that, I’ve concluded the 5 tips that I feel would be helpful for anyone looking to jump industries while still in university. These tips are part of my own experience, and they are not a guaranteed recipe for success in all industries. However, if they could help anyone out there who feel lost and trapped, that’s my greatest honor!