Career reorientation poses its own challenges

A. B. Susanto, Managing Partner, The Jakarta Consulting Group

Harry Potter has undoubtedly made a huge worldwide success of his creator, J.K. Rowling, a mother and a teacher who went through some hard times in raising her child. It was precisely during her most difficult period that Harry Potter was born. Rowling's decision to reorient her career from a teacher to a writer proved to be fruitful in establishing her as one of the world's most renowned writers.

Career reorientation can be a golden bridge toward success. Quite a number of ordinary employees have turned into successful entrepreneurs, and so have some doctors, teachers, executives and even military personnel. In the media you often read of the success stories, though you almost never hear of those who failed. Just like any decision in life, career reorientation has to be treated carefully, as the chance of failure does exist.

To ensure that you are on the right track before deciding to make a drastic change in your career, the following steps can be used as a guideline. First, analyze your current job, including the main tasks. Then ask yourself what you really want out of your job, for example concerning financial return, social status, personal development, job satisfaction and so on. Next draw a map of your own strengths and weaknesses in relation to your future plans, including your achievements in your current job.

Job satisfaction is vital as it motivates you toward higher achievements. If you intend to remain in the same place you are now working, ask yourself what other achievements you wish to attain or how many rungs of the ladder you want to climb.

Career reorientation does not always mean a huge leap from one profession to an entirely different one, like Rowling's teacher- to-writer jump, but rather can take place within your current job.

A new profession obviously requires a new spirit and a new commitment that are worlds apart from your previous attitudes. Changing your personality does not come easy, as you have to rearrange yourself and prepare a new mind-set and a totally new set of plans and action modes in facing the completely new profession.

Most important, of course, you have to be very realistic in evaluating your current skills, experience, financial state and "network" or circle of friends/relatives. Then make a more specific long-term plan, which is divided into short-term plans with relevant action plans.

Apart from the personal motivation to give you the energy to realize your ambitions, you must also possess a kind of "emotional reserve" consisting of patience, perseverance, etc. in preparation for the bleak and rainy days when your efforts fail.

Remember your own commitment can also be strengthened by the support of your family, friends and relatives -- "the network circle", that is.

Previsualizing can also add to your creativity and help you implement your plans with maximum effort.

"Willingness to make a fresh and brand-new start" should be one of your mottoes, as changing your current job or taking up a new profession will certainly affect your rank or designation, meaning you and your family should be willing to accept your new but possibly "lower" position.

Your network circle -- family members, friends, relatives, etc. -- can also greatly contribute to your future success once you have clearly identified this circle and the kind of information it can provide in relation to your decisions in career reorientation. Finally, during the implementation stage your network circle can frequently be extremely supportive.