How to Plan Your Career in Uncertain Times

(HigherEducating.com) – Embarking on a new career can mean a better future, and it can give you the chance to see your lifelong dreams come to fruition. With the surprise visit from COVID-19, some plans have come to a screeching and uncertain halt. So, what can you do to sculpt your career and make the best financial choice now and for years to come? Here are some tips on finding what’s best for you.

Consider Affordability

The question you really need to focus on when it comes to planning your career is, “Can I truly afford it?” If you’re planning on embarking on a college degree, the topic of financial aid and how you’ll pay for living expenses needs to take center stage.

Remember that while you can finance almost all of your education, it’s best to find other ways to raise enough cash. Utilize any savings to pay for as many expenses as possible.

Discuss With Your Household

To properly plan your career through uncertain times, your entire household should be on board. This means discussing finances with your spouse or other family members to work on a clear budget that will help you stay afloat while you take the necessary time off work or other duties to complete your education.

Study Career Projections

Been dreaming of a career in fashion merchandising or related field? The pandemic has left this industry and many others in shambles. This means it will take a lot of restructuring for certain industry sectors to regain strength in the economy moving forward.

Now is a good time to take a close look at career projections to see what direction the industry you’re pursuing is heading. This will help with deciding on what will be the most fulfilling and profitable.

Set Achievable Goals

Be sure to set achievable goals. This means making sure you have enough money saved to reach for your new career or expand in the direction that you wish. If your career change involves taking a temporary pay cut, can you afford to do that? Is there enough in your savings account to cover household or unexpected expenses? If not, you may wish to wait or take a second look at planning your career.

The future forecast holds a bout of uncertainty, but you can’t lose track of your hopes and goals. While you may feel slightly uneasy about investing your time into a new career, look at the pros moving forward. Your future awaits, so take a shot at it and reap the rewards.

~Here’s to Your Success!