10 career adventures you should have at least once

A career adventure is the dynamic journey of your professional life, characterised by exploration, growth, and discovery

Having a career adventure means embracing challenges, seizing opportunities, and continuously evolving to achieve personal and professional fulfilment. It involves navigating various roles, industries, and experiences, often transcending conventional career paths. 

Making these moves is not just about reaching a destination but about the excitement and learning gained along the way, shaping your path to success and fulfilment.

Often, going on a career adventure can require a leap of faith. While every situation will not always ask that you act outside your comfort zone, there are times when you should.

Doing so will force you to get uncomfortable; that is how you learn and grow.

Here are ten career leaps to try at least once during your working career:

1. Get a job in a different country

Work in a country that is very different to the one you live in. 

Apply for a working holiday visa, or try a job placement swap if your company has offices in another country.

Working in another country is like a cultural crash course, helping you understand the world better. It's not just about the job; it's about growing and making friends from all over. You'll learn new ways to work and tackle challenges, levelling up your skills faster than ever.

Plus, living abroad boosts your language skills and teaches you to adapt like a professional. And let's not forget, having international experience looks great on your CV, giving you a passport to opportunities worldwide!

2. Ask for a raise, even if your company isn't planning to give them out

This type of conversation isn’t only about your financial compensation. It is about ensuring your company understands the value you bring.

Requesting a raise at a company during a wage freeze is going to be difficult, but just because a company has said they won’t be giving raises doesn’t mean that they don’t potentially have a budget set aside to reward top employees.

You may not receive a raise right away, and that’s okay. This is also an excellent opportunity to discuss tasks and set the goals you need to achieve to qualify for a raise. It also gives you experience in having this kind of conversation in the workplace, which is helpful for your professional development. 

3. Execute a stealth job search while you are still working full-time

Searching for a job while still employed gives you the upper hand, allowing you to be selective and patient in finding the right fit. You can explore new opportunities without the pressure of desperation, focusing on roles that truly align with your goals and values.

Being employed also keeps your skills sharp and your resume current, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers. Additionally, maintaining your current job provides financial stability during the transition period, reducing stress and allowing you to make thoughtful career decisions.

Finally, you can leverage your network and seek advice discreetly, ensuring a smooth transition to your next career adventure.

4. Work in an internship position that gives you an advantage

Interning is like a sneak peek into your future career, offering valuable hands-on experience while you're still learning the ropes. It's a chance to test-drive different roles and industries, helping you figure out what you really love to do (and what you don't).

Internships often lead to full-time offers, giving you a foot in the door before you graduate. They also provide an opportunity to build a network of professionals who can mentor and support you along the way.

And let's not forget, internships look fantastic on your resume, showing future employers that you're proactive and ready to dive into the real world!

5. Start a side project 

Starting your own business will develop your entrepreneurial abilities, and side projects are the perfect opportunity to learn and expand your skills.

You may find that what you have learned enhances your current role and takes you in a direction previously unavailable to you. Or you may find that your side project grows into your next career.

Any side project benefits yourself and your company – and will remind them how much value you provide!

6. Quit a new job right away if it doesn't feel right 

Though rare, there may be times when you quickly realise that you’ve made a mistake in accepting a position. There may even be an occasion where you realise this within hours of your first day.

Sometimes, the information you're given during interviews doesn’t give a full picture of what the job will entail.

Sticking it out for a year in a job that makes you feel hopeless and frustrated can hurt you so much more than a month of unemployment can.

If this happens, you should be honest with your hiring manager and hand in your resignation straight away. It's okay sometimes if you need to walk away. 

7. Leave a job interview if you don't feel comfortable

It's important to remember that interviews go both ways. Even though you are being interviewed for the job, you are also interviewing the company to see if they will offer you everything you want in your next job.

If the interviewer starts insulting or demeaning you while on their “best behaviour”, how will they treat you daily? If they make you feel uncomfortable or you're unsure if the position is right for you based on their interview technique, get up and walk away.

If you're having these feelings now, likely, the company will not be the cultural fit you are looking for.

8. Get out of your own way and do something that seems impossible

Every career has something all employees deem impossible. If everyone already believes it can’t be done, then why not give it a try? Since nobody expects anyone even to try, the bar is pretty low.

For example, an engineer might dive into designing and implementing a complex system that significantly reduces carbon emissions, while maintaining or even enhancing productivity and efficiency. This task might seem impossible due to the technical challenges involved, such as integrating renewable energy sources, optimising energy usage, and ensuring seamless operation of the entire system.

However, with innovative thinking, advanced engineering techniques, and collaboration across disciplines, the engineer could turn this seemingly impossible goal into a remarkable achievement that benefits both the environment and society as a whole.

Any success you have will prove that no obstacle can ever defeat you, no matter how impossible. This will be instrumental in helping your determination mindset as your career grows.

9. Take a risk and seize an opportunity 

Companies are constantly changing and evolving as their business goals change. Think about companies you would love to work for and opportunities you want to try.

Even the very act of seizing an opportunity demonstrates initiative and ambition, which can earn you recognition and respect from colleagues and supervisors. It allows you to expand your skill set and knowledge base, contributing to personal and professional growth.

Seizing opportunities often leads to new challenges and experiences that can enhance job satisfaction and fulfillment. It can also open doors to advancement within the organization or pave the way for new career opportunities elsewhere. 

So what are you waiting for? Go and take that risk! If you are unable to get out of your comfort zone to grow your career, you run the risk of being left behind.

10. Negotiate your starting salary by asking for a significant amount more

It's common advice to push back on a company’s first offer, yet so few of us negotiate our wages when starting a new job.

Negotiating salary when accepting a job is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures that you are fairly compensated for your skills, experience, and contributions to the company. Negotiating can lead to higher pay, which not only improves your financial well-being but also establishes a higher baseline for future salary increases and bonuses.

Negotiating also demonstrates confidence and assertiveness, qualities that are valued in the workplace. It also signals to employers that you understand your worth and are willing to advocate for yourself, setting a positive tone for your professional relationship. 

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