Who says that you have to pick just one job or career that you love? On Wednesday we posted our conversation with Rachel Piatczyc who shared her secrets to creating a multi-faceted career by exploring different interests and creating new opportunities. Here’s three non-traditional yet easy ways to start expanding your career options and professional opportunities. Be sure to try our career challenge activities that will put you a step closer to making positive things happen.
1. Creating your own externship/internship: Most traditional internships are geared toward students seeking to gain college credit or individuals who can work full-time onsite. Both situations are not options for working professionals looking to gain experience in a new field. So here is a three-step process to create your own opportunity. 1. Identify a person or business that you can learn from and contribute to (e.g., a former professor or colleague who has their own business, your favorite restaurant, or a friend of a family member seeking to start a new venture.) 2. Develop a one-page proposal that outlines the number of hours you’re available to work (e.g., evenings and weekends while working your current job - I suggest 8-12 per week); and the specific activities you’d like to do (e.g., develop a marketing plan, create a social media page and develop posts and images, or help provide on-site support for events). 3 Outline the length of time and what you’d like to receive as compensation (e.g., I suggest a six month minimum externship and to be creative when it comes to compensation). Perhaps you can be paid in small amounts of products or services. The best option is to position yourself as a “pro-bono” consultant. Offering to work for free will increase the likelihood that your offer will be accepted and provide you work experience to include on your resume and share with prospective employers. Think of one person or business you’d like to approach about an externship and take 7 minutes to outline the key points of your proposal.
2. Volunteering to increase professional contacts/network and eventually job offers: Kat Boogard of TheMuse.com wrote “5 Career-Boosting Reasons You Should Volunteer (In Addition to the Fact That it Makes You A Good Person.)” Volunteering is a non-traditional way to advance your career through making connections in an informal setting. Additionally, it’s an incredible opportunity to network with people who share a common interest, cause, or field. I once volunteered for AIDS Walk NYC where I spent hours walking with television veteran Dennis Swanson, who gave Oprah Winfrey her first show in Chicago! Visit the website of an organization or cause that matters to you and sign up for an upcoming volunteer event or activity.
3. Expanding your side hustle into a business: The perfect time to transform your side project into a consulting business is before the big client comes along. Here are a few quick steps to create a sole proprietorship business in less than a week for less than $100! (1) Select a business name and register the domain/social media handles ($2-40). (2) Obtain a free E.I.N. from the IRS (like a SSN for businesses that is often required by large companies who work with small entrepreneurs ($0).
(3) Apply for a D.B.A (Doing Business As) certificate in your state ($25-$100). (4) Open a business bank account ($0). If you can’t do everything right away, brainstorm business names and search if your favorite domain name is available. If so, register it. Do one step each week (for the next four weeks) to be prepared when your new clients and consulting opportunities come calling.