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Anonymous

11/10/20 at 4PM UTC

Career

Considering a career transition - seeking to learn what day-to-day life is for folks working in different jobs/sectors than me!

I am 10 years into my career as a researcher/evaluator in university and non-profit spaces in international development. The large ethical and moral quandries of international development are really affecting how I think about next steps in my career (eg Should there be a place for "experts" coming from Western countries? Does my existence remove resources that could go to national staffing? Does "development" actually do more good than harm given the deeply colonial roots and power structures of the sectors?). As such, I am interested to learn what other jobs are like from really different sectors and explore ways to apply my skills outside this current line of work. Following the mantra, you can't dream it if you don't know about, I am feeling a bit lost in exploring new career paths as I've only experienced these really specific professional spaces thus far. Two questions for this wonderful community: 1) Would anyone be willing to talk to me about their job, whatever it is? I would be so appreciative to set up some 30-45 minute calls to learn: What do you do? What is exciting/interesting? What are day-to-day challenges and frustrations? What are the pathway(s) to doing that type of work? 2) Could anyone share insights as to jobs outside of non-profit/university-led research where my skill set would be valued and I'd have a shot at getting a job without prior experience in that sector? I have strong skill sets in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis and communication, synthesis of information, project management, personnel and contract management, and writing/presenting skills. Thanks very much for any insights or potential conversations/connections.

Join the conversation...

Stacey Champagne

Founder & CEO of Hacker in Heels

11/22/20 at 4:16PM UTC

If you're open to exploring cybersecurity as a next career option, Hacker in Heels has a 5-question quiz to give you an idea of which focus area might be of interest for you. I echo everyone else's advice of also spending time to determine what YOU want first, regardless of the occupation. Figure that out first and then identify a career that compliments your desires.

Anonymous

11/15/20 at 7:21PM UTC

Congratulations on beginning this exciting chapter. I’ve read your post several times and have a question for you. You state that you’d like to use your skill sets in your next job/career path and you do not express dissatisfaction or boredom with the current position. If you remove the troubling aspects of international development, have you clearly identified the tasks and responsibilities that you find intrinsically satisfying? What keeps you intellectually or creatively engaged? Where do you feel your mastery is the strongest? What impact do you want your work to have? Successful career transitions build upon skills and expertise but are also very much informed by an understanding of personal strengths. Commenters have made fine recommendations, and many are far more familiar with opportunities that utilize your research and data analysis expertise. Have you considered working with a career counselor or does the alumni relations department of your alma mater offer professional development assistance and networking? Finally, you mention securing a position without prior experience in the sector. Keep in mind at some point you may also have to decide what is the lowest level position you are willing to take in order to make the transition. This may never come to pass but sometimes one has to go backwards to move forwards.

Kelli

1.46k

Helps senior-level women make career changes

11/13/20 at 7:47PM UTC

I've transitioned out of higher ed and now help women leave unsatisfying jobs and start careers that are wildly fulfilling. Happy to have a chat with you about how to make it happen (love your statement about not being able to dream it if you don't know about it). So true, but I can already tell you're making great progress and going in the right direction.

Krista Coutts

336

Marketing Professional, Cross-Functional Leader

11/12/20 at 11:29PM UTC

Your question is really interesting...I am experiencing the exact opposite of your job journey. I have been in broadcast media industry for the past 30 years and am transitioning into the non-profit sector. One thing I know is my experience in broadcast media (specifically marketing/sales/business development) is helping me with fundraising and development. Fairly similar skill set. I'm happy to have an offline conversation as well!

Jaclyn Wishnia

11/12/20 at 4:55PM UTC

Anonymous, I recommend reading Finding Your Own North Star by N. Martha Beck and The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy to put your plans into motion. As for jobs you may want to search for, your skillset lends itself nicely to being a consultant, joining a think tank organization, becoming an actuary, working as a research librarian or at a legal company (e.g., Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis, etc.), and potentially doing business development or even contract management for a government agency. Hope this helps and best of luck!

Barb Hansen

6.67k

Startup Product, Growth & Strategy

11/11/20 at 1:52AM UTC

I work in startups and I have worked with many (former) university researchers/development specialists in many startups. Generally well funded startups have money to hire researchers and international development people, so startups in post Series A funding rounds. You might want to look at funded Startups to see if there is a fit for you. I'm a Technical product lead by history and now I'm the CTO at the startup that I founded. I'm happy to chat about my career path (from laboratory scientist to CTO), if you want to talk about that or working at and finding a job in startup land.

sandmanstone

135

11/11/20 at 1:41AM UTC

Pragmatic advice - Consider Designing Your Life as a book to guide you through considering a change. Good idea to reach out to folks here, and +1 to the person above who said 'data is data'.

Nicole Fortune

192

Reporting & Data Lady in "BHAM"

11/11/20 at 1:05AM UTC

I believe someone already mentioned you could easily transfer and lead a group or team in the tech sector of any industry. Data is Data..and its not easily understood. The tools/software used can easily be learned and it will vary per company and even per leadship changes or whats the latest. I work in IT, mainly with the data analytics and reporting, currently working on data maigration activties. I do not mind sharing at all what make up our days.

Leann Malone

Nonprofit CEO

11/10/20 at 10:40PM UTC

Hi! These are wonderful, thoughtful questions and I congratulate you on taking the time to reflect on your career choices. That being said, it sounds like you have some tremendous skills that would be welcome in a local or national NPO. Not sure where you're located, but as a nonprofit CEO, I can tell you these skills are in short supply and great demand. Increasingly, foundations and major donors look for grant proposals that provide in-depth, research-based evidence in the case statement, as well as impact reports that are supported with empirical data. Unfortunately, many NPOs don't have staff with enough (any) research/evaluation skills to provide this. As far as looking outside the sector entirely, use LinkedIn to identify individuals in the areas you think you'd like to explore and then reach out to them and ask. People are generally very happy to help out with informational interviews, and it never hurts to build your network.

Gwynne Monahan

Write well, edit better.

11/10/20 at 10:31PM UTC

"...conducting qualitative and quantitative research, data analysis and communication, synthesis of information, project management, personnel and contract management, and writing/presenting skills." all excellent skills that are in demand, especially in the tech sector. Tech companies, ad agencies, everywhere these days is looking to hire data analysts. Figure out what industry most interests you, which sounds like the first point will help you do, then work on finding companies you want to work for. Unless the research is proprietary, you can use examples from academia, any talks you've given (esp at conferences), etc.