Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, bsc

It got me thinking… 

My daughter was watching a video on neural timing and behavior, neural plasticity, and neural regeneration (yeah, I wonder as well…), and I was on my laptop working, so without thinking I said, “Oh baby, that’s what mommy studied! I can explain all these things!” She looked at me all puzzled and exclaimed, “Ha! You are kidding me! You don’t know anything about all these things! You are simply a writer!” 

I was shocked! Yeah, I am a writer now.. But this is not what I studied.. I got a First Class Honors degree, I have an MSc, I have had a long and successful career as a psychologist, I majored in neuropsychology and psychosis. Hell, my clients still call me and ask if there is any chance I might be able to see them again! Most people in my field know me, those with access to me always check my opinion before major publishments… and my baby looks at me like I’m an idiot. What went wrong?

“You are simply a writer.” Simply? 

It got me thinking, what if the job you end up doing, the job you love, is not what you studied? What if you have a successful career but then do a 180° and go back to start over, chasing your dreams? I did it, but I’m me.. I always chase my dreams in the end. What about you? Do you do what you love? Do you chase your dreams? Tomorrow morning, are you going to your dream job? I am.

Why not?

I did it, when I had to reset everything. I figured it was now or never, so when I got offered the chance, I grabbed it with both hands and am smiling ever since. Yes, it was hard (it still is.. I’m making much less money, the hours are incredibly long, and people still look at me like I lost it when I made this choice, but I am smiling more, and I am living the dream). But how do you go about it?

If you are considering changing your career path, know it is a bumpy ride -especially if you are now successful. Know you will need to start over, you will be at the bottom of the food chain, and everyone will make sure you know. Trust me, it is temporary. Of course, I had to prove my worth, I had to work hard and listen. I am grateful for my editor, she took a chance with me, and I thank her every chance I get. She taught me everything, and she never made me feel small, but this was my good luck. So be prepared for long nights, relearning everything, and doing it with a smile.

Do you know what you want to do?

• You have a good idea of the kinds of work you wish to avoid doing, but you should still think about what you would be interested in doing before starting to look for a job. What do you want to do? What makes you smile? If you could not fail, what would you do? I would be either an attorney (wasn’t given the chance, but give it some time lol) or a writer! There you go.. What would you do? You have an idea? Ok, then.. Step 2:
• Go to the Bureau of Labor Statistics or Glassdoor and look up the detailed descriptions, average salaries, and projected job openings. Is it still what you want to do?
• If not, take a career test… if yes, let’s go!
• Sooo.. is it something that needs a degree? Do you really want it that much? Get a part-time job and a degree.. But if there is a way that you can start simply with showcasing your abilities and knowledge, then it is much easier. You can get an internship and learn. Do not waste your time, bow down to the people who know the job and learn, learn, learn. Never pass the opportunity to learn. Ask questions, welcome criticism, keep your eyes open, be useful so they will let you learn more things. Always remember that these people are doing you a favor and setting you up for success. Job shadowing is also a good idea, but much harder to find. 
• While you are learning, acquire contacts, make connections, make sure people know you are available and willing to learn and work, despite the fact you lack a relevant degree. 
• Always be sure to learn transferable skills and adaptable competencies. Writing, problem-solving, public speaking, organizational skills, project management abilities are all transferable skills that are highly appreciated in any career path you choose. The marketability of your resume will increase significantly thanks to these transferable talents.
• Employers care about whether or not you are up-to-date on industry developments, therefore demonstrating such knowledge is a must. That’s a good practice for any job seeker, but it’s more important if you lack formal training in the field or internship experience. Follow potential employers on social media, and be sure to sign up for company newsletters so you can stay in the loop.
• Once you learn the new skill, you’ll need to sell yourself to a potential job (for the first time.. again). Remember that, according to the Washington Post, “just 27 percent of college grads have a job that is closely related to their major.” 

It has its ups and downs. You will spend days and nights wondering if you have done the right thing. It is much easier if you are younger and have just yourself to look after; it is much harder doing it all with a baby in your arms. But I did it. And you can, too. Will it last? Who knows… Did I do the right thing? You never know until the fat lady sings, and even then it is debatable. But life is short, and we will all die one day… more money today does not mean you will have more money tomorrow; job security does not mean you will have it forever.

Take a leap of faith, follow up with hard work.. And never forget, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Be willing to work hard, be thankful, and never let them forget you are worth it. 

If all else fails, message me.. We’ll cry and laugh together hahaha