Adam P. on June 18, 2024
Career Change
Good afternoon! I am looking to change my career next year. I have pigeon-holed myself a bit and wanted some advice on what I should do for the next 6 months to make myself more marketable when I'm ready for the change.
For background, I have worked at a Credit Union for 5 years, first in IT, then as the manager of the accounting department, then now as an operations manager. My BBA is in Information Systems and my MS is in Data Analytics. I wanted to go the tech route in my undergrad, but when I got my Master's, I swapped over to accounting because the pay was nicer at the time and I financial data was interesting. Now, I have more of an interest in data/cloud engineering/project management, or even just in a more traditional Data/BI analyst role, but my skills from school are very rusty, and there aren't many projects I can take on at my job that give me relevant experience.
I currently am 26 and make 75k/year. I make enough money to be comfortable, but the work I do in itself isn't that fulfilling. Some things I do in my job that I do enjoy are: building power apps, sharepoint sites, developing IBM Cognos reports, making our core processing software more efficient, mapping accounting software to general ledgers, etc. I'm the only person with my background here, and our leadership isn't data-driven, so there aren't ever any requests for analytic projects, nor any sort of team who can help me grow my skills.
Based on this information, I am hoping I can be referred to certain job titles or industries that may have use for my skills. If you were in my position, what certifications or learning paths would you take to get where I want to go? I have looked into Azure and Project Management certs in the past. I don't mind losing some of my salary in pursuit of a more-fulfilling job with more growth opportunities.
Thanks!
3 Comment
Adam P.
Jun 19, 2024
Any help? I'm still waiting for any support!
Edited by geometry dash subzero 1 day ago
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Jul 3, 2024
Cancer and Careers Staff Comment:
Hi Adam,
Apologies for the delay in responding, we had our National Conference on the 21st so emails and messages from that week are being caught up with now! With that said, thanks so much for reaching out to Cancer and Careers. I will pass along your inquiry to one of our career coaches.
In the meantime, I would recommend becoming active on LinkedIn, if you're not already, and trying to network with those in the spaces you're interesting in moving towards. You can schedule some informational interviews with people who have jobs you'd like to explore, and inquire about what training they participated in as well as the experience they had prior to getting hired. It's not always about what you've done but rather your potential in being able to do the work. If it's about learning a software or code, those are things that you can certainly engage in, in order to make yourself a more viable candidate.
It may also be helpful to look through some job sites and find listings that sound interesting to you. Look through the job description and the requirements - are they outlining specific certifications or specialties? If so, you can then look further into what it might take to obtain those things. Again, networking will likely yield the most insight and help you figure out the direction you wish to go in.
Please feel free to reach out to cancerandcareers@cew.org with any questions.
Sincerely,
Nicole Jarvis, LMSW
Assistant Director of Programs
Cancer and Careers
Brandon Gottlieb
Jul 5, 2024
Career Coach Comment:
Adam,
Firstly, congratulations on your diverse career journey and the impressive skill set you've developed across various domains. It's great that you’re taking proactive steps toward finding a more fulfilling career path. I have been recruiting entry level up to Executive Technology professionals for over twenty years. I apologize for the time it might have taken to respond but I wanted to think this through a bit before responding.
Here are some tailored suggestions based on your background and interests:
1. Clarify Your Career Goals
- Tech/Cloud Engineering: If you’re interested in cloud engineering, roles like Cloud Engineer, Solutions Architect, or DevOps Engineer could be a good fit.
- Data/BI Analyst: For a more traditional data-focused role, consider positions like Data Analyst, BI Analyst, or Data Scientist.
- Project Management: If you enjoy overseeing projects, roles like IT Project Manager or Technical Project Manager might align well.
2. Some potential Certifications and Learning Paths (up to you not recommending anything specific)
Cloud Engineering:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals: Start with this if you're new to Azure, then move on to more advanced certifications like Azure Administrator or Azure Solutions Architect.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect: Another valuable cloud certification that can open doors in cloud engineering.
Data/BI Analyst:
- Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: A comprehensive program to brush up your analytics skills.
- Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate: Specifically tailored for those working with Microsoft Power BI.
Project Management:
- Project Management Professional (PMP): Widely recognized and respected in the field.
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Useful if you're interested in agile project management.
3. Leverage Your Current Skills and Interests
- Build Projects: Start building projects on platforms like GitHub. Showcase your skills in developing Power Apps, SharePoint sites, and IBM Cognos reports. This not only keeps your skills sharp but also serves as a portfolio for potential employers.
- Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses in cloud engineering, data analytics, and project management. Enroll in courses that align with your desired career path.
4. Network and Join Communities
- Join Professional Groups: Look for groups on LinkedIn or forums like Reddit where professionals in your desired field share insights and job opportunities.
- Attend Meetups and Conferences: Engage with communities in your field by attending virtual or local meetups and conferences.
5. Target Job Titles and Industries
- Tech/Cloud Engineering: Look for roles like Cloud Engineer, Solutions Architect, or DevOps Engineer in tech companies or large enterprises undergoing digital transformation.
- Data/BI Analyst: Target industries like finance, healthcare, or retail that heavily rely on data-driven decision-making.
- Project Management: Seek out companies with strong IT project management needs, such as tech firms, consulting companies, or any organization undergoing significant IT projects.
6. Consider a Transition Plan
- Internships or Part-Time Roles: If feasible, look for internships or part-time roles in your desired field to gain relevant experience that may or may not offer a potential full-time commitment.
- Early Career Programs – Many companies these days offer early career development programs. “Early Career” does not mean “College Recruiting”, it does not mean hiring right out of school, it means identifying talent early in their careers, maybe 0-2 years of experience and you could be a solid candidate, as you consider changing careers and getting into a more technical role.
Best of luck with your career transition! If you have any further questions or need more specific advice, feel free to reach out.
Warm regards,
Brandon
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