Looking for a career change - how do I deal with lack of experience in desired field?

M

MCunningham

Cathlete
So, I am currently in a career field that is very limited location-wise. I am a translator for the government, which means that I have to stay in the DC/Baltimore area in order to continue in this career field, since that is where the interested government agencies are located. I've been doing that for 12 years (7 of it in the military).

The thing is, I'm getting my Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and I'll be starting an MBA in January. I'm finishing up my last class for my Bachelor's degree and now I'm considering "what I want to be" when I finish this degree. My husband and I own a house in northern Maryland that we are currently renting out, but we'd like to move back there next summer. That house is a full 72 miles from where our current jobs are, and neither one of us can stomach the idea of commuting 140+ miles per day again (that's what we were doing before, which is why that house is now being rented out; we're currently renting again now). So I'd like to probably look for a new career in Northern MD in preparation for our impending move.

That being said, there are a bunch of jobs that I feel I'd be qualified for with my Bachelor's in Business-- contract specialists, HR specialists, etc.-- but I have no experience in those fields because I'm still working full-time in a field that is TOTALLY unrelated to these prospective jobs. I know I'd be great at them because I am a super-hard worker and I pick things up very fast. However, I'm worried that I won't even be able to get a foot in the door with no experience to speak of.

I'm considering trying to be a part-time volunteer in the fields of HR, payroll, etc. in order to get some experience under my belt (maybe 1-2 days a week). That way it's a win-win: the organization I'm volunteering for doesn't have to find a way to pay me, so they get free labor in exchange for providing me with some documentable experience.

So, question 1: does this sound nuts?

Question 2: does anyone know how I might go about volunteering myself for this type of thing? I've searched "volunteer" job postings but it seems the ones I find only want CPAs.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

MC :)
 
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Question 1: No, thats not nuts. Volunteering is how I got my first two films in the entertainment industry. The third one was paid.

Question 2: I would suggest that you look for companies that seem like a good fit for you and get to know people in the job categories that you want to work in. Find a mentor. Don't assume that the internet is a way to find work. Mostly, its who knows you and that puts you at the top of the pile. You might have to work as an intern. Right now, you are still in school which makes you eligible for many internships that once you graduate, you will no longer be qualified for, I did the college program at the Walt Disney company but (probably not for you, it requires you to put in 4 months in FL working in the park.) that is not the only option. With your skills as a translator I think you will find there are many opportunities that are not obvious. You might look at the state and city. The combination of HR skills, a business degree and foreign language skills make you a powerful and valuable asset. Never think for an instant that your previous experience is to be set aside, that experience demonstrates significant character and intelligence. The one thing you may come across is that you may be seen as over qualified. Just keep trying. Go to business meetings/meetups for people in the area where you want to work. Ask what you can do for them, not what they can do for you. Make it a point to try to help someone in every situation that you come across (without being pushy of course, not that I thought you would do that but you get the gist).

Let it be known that you are looking for work. Brush up your resume. Put up a professional looking website that states your goals and has your contact information (probably a cel number and an email with a strong filter.)

Join organizations that are in your field. Find a women's business group, most fields have one.

You can do this!!! Don't be dissuaded if at first you don't find what you are looking for, thats ok, because looking for work is a full time job in and of itself.
 
My only advice is similar to some things RapidBreath said. Use the experiences you gained in your current field and relate them to the job you want. In your current job, I imagine you worked with a wide range of individuals. This is a big plus that you have a comfort level of being able to work with a diverse group of people, especially in the HR field.

If you are in school and going for your MBA, the university you are attending should have contacts for not only various organizations and groups but also companies looking for talent. They should be able to help you with companies looking for work in the area you want to live in.

Good luck!
 
Actually, I'm in your same spot. My home is going to be rented out so I can move to be in area that has better environment. I have no experience either. My options are: volunteer (if I can get in), temporary, or apply to a position close to my current job in the new industry. I have my MBA and 6S/GB. My focus will be the finance, accounting or customer service part of my new industry.
 
Look towards an international company. If you are a translator, your experience could be a great benefit. I'm in HR and it's not a difficult field. You could take a PHR exam, which always looks nice on the resume. I work for HSBC, which is a global bank, and we probably could use someone like you. But we would probably need you in NYC.
 
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