It’s no secret that the world of work has changed dramatically over the past few years. I’ve experienced it firsthand, leaving behind a traditional job to pursue my dream career and work for myself. Without a completed college degree, I spent years feeling stuck in roles that didn’t align with how I wanted to work. But today, a college degree is no longer considered the only—or even the best—path to success.
It’s funny to think back to TV shows from the ’90s and early 2000s, where getting into college was portrayed as the ultimate achievement. Parents worked tirelessly, saving every hard-won dollar to send their kids to college. Were we sold a dream? Fool’s gold? In a world where the healthcare system often feels out of reach and student debt buries so many, it’s easy to feel like the system was designed to hold us down.
I remember how easy it was to get a credit card as an 18-year-old fresh out of high school. Looking back, it feels like a trap. Us millennials seem to agree: the traditional system wasn’t built for everyone. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to stay stuck. You have permission to take charge of your career and design a way of working that fits you.
Let’s Build Your Career Strategy
Imagine a strategy that’s custom-tailored to your goals, how you want to work, your skills, and the benefits you need. You can implement it today. Whether that means working part-time, going remote, or offering freelance services, the possibilities are there for you to explore.
Ask yourself:
- What am I good at?
- What do people often come to me for help with?
With your knowledge and expertise, you can create a career solution that works for you—even if it’s just until you land your dream role. Or maybe that is your dream role! Entrepreneurship is a valid part of today’s work journey.
Yes, entrepreneurship has its challenges, but there are so many tools available to support you along the way. Here’s a quick tip:
If you’re looking for a career strategy, try this ChatGPT prompt:
“Create a career strategy for [insert your goal or field] that incorporates my skills in [list skills], accommodates my preference for [remote work, freelance, part-time], and positions me as a strong candidate for [specific roles or opportunities].”
Let me know how it works for you!
An Example of Career Reinvention
What if you wanted to be a writer? Here’s how it could look:
- Start a Free Blog Launch a WordPress blog to share your thoughts and expertise. Pair it with an Instagram account to grow your audience, and start an email list by offering free, valuable content tailored to your target readers.
- Land a Part-Time Opportunity Your blog gains traction. A small copywriting agency stumbles across your posts, loves your style, and hires you as a junior content writer. Now you’re an entrepreneur and an employee!
- Expand Your Offerings As your audience grows, people ask how they can support you further. You learn free design tools to create print-on-demand items and resources for your readers. Suddenly, you’re also a shop owner.
Just like that, you’ve built a multi-faceted career that combines passion, creativity, and income streams.
The Current Landscape: Challenges and Possibilities
Navigating today’s career landscape might feel overwhelming at times, but it’s also filled with opportunities. That’s what I love most about it—it gives me hope.
If you land a traditional role in your desired field, I’ll be cheering you on! But if you’re still searching, or if you’re ready to pour your energy into building a path that feels right for you, take heart. There’s a world of possibilities waiting for you to explore.
Let’s get started.
