Universities haven’t yet started focusing on this issue, but if you are in your 20’s, you need to have an open mind to multiple careers.
For many young people I meet through my work as a mentor, their dream career is working in media but it is clear this career path has changed dramatically and the opportunities are now far less. This is the type of career where having a second option is not only wise, but in my opinion, mandatory.
A second option for someone hoping to work in media might for example might be running a fitness business, or an on-line beauty business or blog, or even a real world beauty business.
But how do you work out how to be open to multiple careers when you may not have even locked in your first?
- Talk To People: You may be surprised to learn that most people have had multiple careers, possibly more than two. The older people are, the more of life they have experienced and the more they will potentially be able to help guide your decisions using their own life experience.
- Think of it as a side hustle: Passive income is the ultimate, as it is income that flows in whilst you are sleeping. Right now this type of income is mainly coming from online businesses. Something as simple as a beauty product that flies off the instagram shelf or a business providing information can generate plenty of income and even lead you into a second career over time.
- Be open minded: There are so many different ways to make our dreams happen, but often we get stuck on one pathway. There has been a lot of talk lately about study with Elon Musk insisting for example that an MBA is not worth it. Only you can decide what is right for you, but be open to different ways of achieving the same thing.
- Be super open about what your second career is: The world is undergoing massive change, in terms of the way we communicate, the way industries work, (think uber, uber eats and go-get as three examples). The more open you are, the more hope you have of achieving more, finding that second career and exploring all of your options.
- Separate your ego from your achievements: We all want praise and respect from those around us, so we often gravitate towards industries and careers which we think will bring us that satisfaction, like fashion, beauty or other glamorous pursuits . But often the real joy and financial success comes from industries or careers that are not sexy to chat about at dinner parties. Think toilet roll production or industrial cleaning, but those types of industries are lucrative with flexible hours and great challenges.
- Do the same things differently: A lot of side hustles and careers have been born from re-creating services that already exist but doing them differently. For example After Pay was once Layby, a resume is now Linked In and so on.
- Put in the hours: One career is tough enough to get off the ground, but having a second in the wings can be even harder, but now is the time, and you do reap what you sow.
