Preparing Yourself for a Career Change

Summary: Focus, network, act and visualize: These four steps have helped me start preparing myself for a new career in the hospitality industry.

Author: Frances Pollard

Focus

Network

Act

Visualize

I started attending the National Statler Center for
Careers in Hospitality Service, Buffalo, N.Y., in May,
2001. I decided that this would be a good career move
because I previously worked in the casino industry and
worked well with the public.

Based on my own experience, I would like to offer
these tips about preparing yourself for a new career
path.

Focus

Decide exactly what career you want to pursue.
Then focus on only that one choice.
Decide what steps are necessary to achieve your
goal.

I, for example, found myself a mentor who could
be totally honest with me about my career change. We
felt comfortable with each other. I could accept
constructive criticism from my mentor.
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Network

Build your network of contacts.

After listening to sound advice from my mentor, I
began researching the Internet, making telephone calls
and learning about new opportunities by word of mouth.

Networking not only helps you learn about the job you
eventually want to obtain and the training you need
for that job but also the institutions which best
provide that training and the companies which are your
best prospects as employers.
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Act

Apply immediately for the school of your
choice and begin to gather the necessary information
to be accepted.

This step I feel is the most important step of
all. By applying for the training that is necessary
immediately, you avoid procrastination and your goal
begins to materialize.

Read any material available about your career
choice as your goal progresses.

This increases your knowledge of your new career
and the skills you need to develop.

Hone your skills.

Apply for a membership to the Recordings for the
Blind library to improve any educational weaknesses
you might need to improve.

Improve your language skills as best as you can, for
instance, so you become business literate. Rent a book
about writing business letters and practice your
letter writing skills so that you know how to write
business letters in the proper format. This teaches
you how to write properly for the right audience, if
your career requires it.
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Visualize

Begin to invest in a work wardrobe and
concentrate on classic pieces that are always
acceptable for business attire.

I began building my wardrobe from the moment I
applied to the Statler Center. This method enforces
your goal because now you can also feel your goal
becoming a reality.

Convince yourself that the school, college or
university you plan to attend will indeed accept you.

Mental stimulation is a definite plus in working
towards your goal. I would tell myself and others that
I would be attending the Statler Center long before I
was even accepted.

Disregard discouraging questions or
comments.

Even when I would face negative people who would
say that I was taking a big chance on a school that
has only been open for such a short period of time, I
refused to listen to them. Negative people are
actually expressing their own fears -- not yours.

I believe that, by following these tips, you can
improve your chances to successfully change careers.
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