I just found a cool new career site that really summarizes what I think about careers. The site is careerealism.com and the tagline is “because every job is temporary” – genius.

And that’s exactly how I feel about jobs nowadays. No job is guaranteed to last forever, and everyone needs to position themselves as a free agent to survive in this economy.

Careerealism just posted a great interview with Seth Godin (the author of several amazing books on career and marketing, including his newest, Linchpin) called The New Career “Normal” = Get Reckless. I really liked what Seth had to say about changing careers and marketing yourself. Go check it out!

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Once you decide to transition to a new industry you need to start taking an active interest in what is happening in that industry. For instance, when I decided to actively move into the world of fashion design, and shoe design in particular, I became a devotee to keeping up to date on what was happening the fashion world. I read shoe design blogs, style.com, and Women’s Wear Daily (the “Wall Street Journal of fashion”) As many of you may know, the fashion world is held captive twice a year during the Womenswear Runway shows. These 4 weeks of live fashion shows take place to herald the coming trends of Fall and Spring every year. For an aspiring shoe designer, it was very important to me that I start to review the images from all of the top design houses and many of the up and coming designers. From New York, to London, to Milan and finally Paris, there is always plenty of innovation and fresh ideas in apparel design, shoe design, and beauty.

What was surprising to me is that not every career changer is aware of how important this is to their own transition. I cannot tell you how many people I interviewed for shoe design internships that did not follow Fashion Week at all, nor could they even tell me who their favorite designer was! The problem with being unaware is that you are starting out in a new industry about which you claim you are “passionate.” Hmmmm. Are you so passionate that you can’t even read the headlines about the biggest news in your industry?

So keep this little anecdote in mind when you talk about your dream job. Make sure that you show your passion and interest by keeping up to date on the news in your industry. Even better, read blogs and newsfeeds daily so that you can form your own opinions and actually discuss your new industry.

For those of you interested in learning more about Fashion Week here are a few websites that I like:

www.style.com

www.nymag.com/fashion

www.fashionweekdaily.com

If you are interested in shoe design, like I am, be sure to click on the “Details” tab for close-up photos of the shoes and other accessories presented on the runway.

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Do you wake up on Monday morning and dread going to the office? Are you feeling ready for a change?

In the past seven years, I have felt stuck several times. Frustrated by my job in several ways: Feeling like I was okay at the work, but knowing that I was just doing it for the money. I was not in a career that was matched to my passions.

I would feel anxious and depressed about my career, but I still went to the office everyday with a smile on my face. Inside, I would get stomachaches and heartburn because my body knew that I needed to fix the situation. I would complain to my friends about my job and they would commiserate with me because they hated their jobs too.

Most people want to change careers but are afraid too!

Few people take the leap to a new position or job. Why? Because it takes GUTS. It means that your livelihood will be uncertain for a few months. You may have to pay to go back to school to get the skills you need for the new job.

Take heart in knowing that there is more to life than just a steady paycheck from a boring job. By defining what Success means to you, you will be able to take the risks needed to find satisfaction in your job and career.

I have successfully change careers 3 times in the past 6 years! From doing research for my Masters degree in Materials Engineering to working as Senior Consultant in financial education services to shoe designer and now I am working from home as an entrepreneur and consultant. If I can do it, then so can you!

I have built this website to share all the techniques I have used to transition between very different industries with great success and fulfillment. I look forward to hearing from you as you travel on your New Career Now journey!

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