How can you develop new skills when changing careers?

It's common for professionals to seek a change in their careers if they aren't experiencing professional fulfillment in their current roles. Fortunately, those with widely applicable skill sets can often shift into other industries and professions. If you're a librarian and you're considering a career transition, it may be helpful for you to review similar professions that could benefit from your skills

I think one of the best ways to strengthen skills is to take part-time jobs that address overlooked areas. If you are introverted and detail-oriented, you could rock the phones at a call center. If you are extroverted and talkative, you could crush the computers in an office. This way, you can earn while you learn and add more tools to your box. Everything in one job candidates are always in demand, especially in leaner economic times. You might be surprised by which skills will take you places.

I've been diving into free courses and materials across various fields outside of dentistry. It's about leveraging these resources to expand my skills beyond the clinical realm. maximizing the opportunity to learn something new and valuable from the free materials available to me. It's a way to assess my current abilities and bridge any gaps while exploring diverse areas outside my usual scope.

A big difference in recruitment in the last 20 years is that job descriptions have become more generic. Employers tend to interview for skills to add to their team rather than a set list of duties. I recommend having a base CV with everything, which is constantly added to, and which can be edited as required to address a particular job vacancy. It often doesn’t matter how you acquire the skills. A rural mentee of mine joined the local Rotary Club. There she learnt meeting procedure, minute taking, how to address community groups and how to organise a conference. These skills were not in her CV (not work), but we added them and in her new job she does all of these. Privately undertaken computer courses also helped to get her new job.

Mudar de carreira pode simbolizar a oportunidade de dar atenção para aquela voz que sempre nos impulsionou para fazer algo diferente. E nem sempre quer dizer começar do zero, pois nossa experiência, visão de mundo e valores estão ali e auxiliarão no desenvolvimento de novas habilidades. Podemos estar em ambientes diversos ao longo da jornada profissional, mas nossa essência permanece. Importante se perguntar: O que eu gostaria de fazer e ainda não realizei?

Try to honestly assess which of the competencies that made you successful in your previous role will still apply. Sometimes we tend to rely on those skills and competencies that we master and that make us comfortable rather than what would is needed in a new role. For example, imagine you were promoted to director of strategic planning. If you were successful in your previous position due to strong project management skills, it's important to assess whether this competency aligns with the requirements of your current role. While project management is valuable, your new responsibilities may demand more emphasis on strategic planning and client relations.

I recently transitioned into another role and I must say first hand that it can be really challenging. Challenging because, I have spent a good number of years in a particular role or career path and have become accustomed to it But the narrative changes if your new role is also something you are passionate about. My candid advice is that you carefully choose which skills you want to develop. This involves a lot of research to ascertain which skill will be more beneficial to you. Once this is done, settle down to learn and learn well. The goal is to do your best and become the best they has ever been. Lastly, don't give your new team a your new team a reason to doubt your competence.

Librarians should possess relevant and transferable skills such as information literacy, research proficiency, organizational capabilities, effective communication, customer service orientation, technology proficiency, collaboration, problem-solving, cataloging expertise, and adaptability to ensure successful library operations and meet the diverse needs of patrons

At this stage you should always remember that every little skill you have counts. Applying them at the new place is important and you need to know how to adjust. Nonetheless, you need to learn more especially from the new place of work.

Based on a recommendation from my supervisor, I took a course offered by Library Juice Academy. The platform has various certificates professionals, students, and lifelong learners can earn. The courses all follow the same format and are straightforward. I’m hoping to start my second course soon. These are paid classes — each has a cost, several hundred dollars. For free courses, I’ve used Universal Class, a resource offered to patrons through my (and many other) libraries. The content varies widely. I finished a class for on Social Media Marketing not too long ago. Check it out!

Most of these resources could be found in online programmes and webinars free of charge. You may only need dedication and commitment to learn.

Finding the right resources to learn or enhance your present/new skills can help in transitioning into new career roles. Keeping yourself abreast of emerging trends through these resources can be an edge when you apply for positions.

Reasonable and Short term goals lead to small successes and little successes prompt to bigger dreams. Setting reasonable goals is a practical way to attain our objectives.

I agree, although I it can be hard for me to set and achieve realistic goals within a certain timeframe, especially when I feel overwhelmed. I like to break down goals even further. This quarter my goal is to begin creating a 3-year plan for myself. I’ve never had one. Next quarter I’ll complete it. My brain works better when I divide a whole into many parts, and I’m able to stay motivated and focused by achieving each portion. The hit of dopamine I feel when I’m able to cross a task off my list is rewarding.

Also, remember that you are building many transferable skills at home. Parenting, for example, is a constant exercise in negotiation and conflict resolution. These skills could lead to great career opportunities in management, counseling, or mediation if enhanced by formal training. Most life experience can be commodified.

Antes de comenzar a estudiar Bibliotecología, era Bibliotecaria de la Biblioteca Nacional de mi país. Y viendolo en retrospectiva, desde niña di señales que esa sería mi profesión. Sin embargo, no era consciente que abría un mundo de posibilidades para desarrollarme profesionalmente, y es que en bibliotecología no solo nos enseñan a gerenciar unidades de información, también nos enseñan a comunicarnos y comunicar, la importancia de la historia de soportes de información, entornos virtuales, entres otros., Pero, lo más importante es que nos enseñan a adaptarnos a los cambios en la era de la información, el conocimiento y la tecnología. Es por ello, que estoy trabajando para enfrentarme y generar esos cambios... ¡Tú también puedes!

When I was young and graduated during an economic downturn (with every degree 😜), my daddy told me… always look for your next job from a position of strength…. So three decades later I am still at the same institution but I still hear that advice in my head… only now I am contemplating the notion of working into the traditional retirement years and all of the above information is still applicable. Keep fresh with your field knowing the things change. It’s that line from “The Leopard” paraphrasing: “If you want this to stay the same, things must change.” This is especially true in library science where the nature of information is changing with formats. I personally am trying to learn how libraries will coexist with artificial intelligence.

It can be so so nerve wracking to change jobs, much less to change careers. I would begin by assessing your skills in a very general way…for example: If you work as a children’s library assistant aka programmer; you have confidence speaking in front of audiences of families. If you have done ready reference services, you have knowledge of questioning customers to help them get the information they really need. Find a way to categorize your skills that are transferable.

Each response above, much like a splendid piece of couture, brings its unique flair to the table. It's all about finding the tailored fit that resonates most with one’s aspirations and personal style. I would say embrace the diversity of advice, for within all the advice given lies the opportunity to steer your career transformation. Each person’s path is unique so my best advice is when diving into a new career, immerse yourself completely. As mentioned in previous responses by so many wonderful souls above, combine hands-on experience, devour books like decadent chocolates, and let mentors sprinkle their wisdom upon you. Mastery comes from a cocktail of passion, persistence, and a pinch of panache. Cheers to your journey!