New Job, New Community: How to Find Belonging Amid a New Career

There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our way of work. As businesses struggled to traverse the Wild West of new workplace culture, employees underwent a similar transformation—with some pursuing entirely new professions. 

I was one of them. I started teaching in 2019, believing that I would stay in the classroom for years to come. But in 2021, I made the difficult decision to leave education and become a copywriter instead. I was elated but intimidated by the fact that I knew nearly no one in this unfamiliar industry. Starting over in my mid-20s was not on my agenda.

After all, I didn’t know any best practices for building meaningful connections or delivering powerful messaging. All I knew was I wanted to write content that resonated with audiences and drove them to action. And as passionate as I was about making an impact, having no sense of belonging took a toll on my confidence. It took me a long time to grow my network and learn to rely on more seasoned writers with expert advice. 

My journey mirrors many others’ as people continue to reinvent their careers, with more than half (51%) of workers actively looking for new jobs. Entering a new role is exciting and chock full of challenges and discoveries. But it can also be overwhelming for those who have to transition without a community to support them. 

Switching industries is only half the battle. Networking amid a career shift requires us to expand our spheres of influence and establish connections that can guide us meaningfully.

But what exactly are the benefits, and how can we get started? 

Fostering belonging in the workplace—and beyond—opens doors to new opportunities.

Changing careers is like moving to a new town. To lay down our roots, we need to find friends and neighbors who can give us all the information to make us feel at home.

When we feel safe and accepted, we tend to work more efficiently, take creative risks, and grow quickly. Our companies also enjoy various benefits, including a 56% improvement in job performance and a 50% decrease in potential turnover. Cultivating belonging in the workplace is a win-win for everyone and should be prioritized consistently.

However, if we want to see growth in our career trajectory, we need to build a community beyond the comforts of our workplace. Networking allows us to access: 

• Powerful mentorship opportunities: With their lived experiences, mentors can be powerful allies, helping to navigate the ups and downs of a new role. Whether we need a confidence boost or clarity around our goals, their primary purpose is to support us and affirm that we’re not alone. And, when the time comes for us to expand our horizons, they may even be able to assist in our job search.
  
  
• Valuable industry insights: By strengthening personal connections within our field, we can exchange high-level information that contributes to effective decision-making. For example, a leader in customer contact might be unsure of implementing AI into their call centers. Speaking to others with similar titles but different experiences can lead to answers they wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
  
  
• Higher visibility: What makes some social media influencers so successful? Views and followers are important, but their key element is actually high user engagement. To enrich our careers, we must be comfortable establishing our own brand. Engaging in positive interactions solidifies our sense of belonging while showcasing our unique value prop to an audience that might want to partner with us. 

Networking is essential for a seamless career change.

Networking when changing careers is necessary for professional development, but it doesn’t have to be a dry and fixed process. Nurturing belonging shouldn’t just be about maximizing your reach and reaching the right people—it should be about fostering authentic relationships, exploring diverse perspectives, and contributing solutions to a larger community.

Here are a few suggestions that can get the ball rolling, making your efforts both beneficial and fulfilling:  

1. Tap into your existing circle.

If you’re intimidated by meeting new people both virtually and in person, consider leaning on your friends, coworkers, and even previous managers. You’d be surprised by how resourceful your current network can be. 

According to Harvard Business Review, top leaders engage in what they define as “network intelligence,” or asking for help from existing references. In the article, Reid Hoffman addresses a business conflict at PayPal by requesting eight friends for potential connections. Three of those friends suggest meeting one entrepreneur, who then introduces a consultant to fix Reid’s roadblock. Today, they continue to share a strong partnership.

When you have familiar supporters to vouch for you and your skill set, nurturing belonging in a new career landscape won’t feel like a one-person job, but an ongoing collective effort to bring everyone to success. 

2. Attend industry-relevant events.

What’s a better way to learn about an industry than to fully immerse yourself in it? If you want to gain a deeper understanding of your role and meet other professionals who’ve been in the game, attending different types of events can be an effective strategy.

In-person conferences offer thought-provoking keynotes and attractive networking opportunities that typically draw in large audiences. But if you prefer smaller crowds, webinars and virtual workshops are often more accessible, especially for people of color and other underrepresented groups. Whether you want to stay up-to-date on industry trends or engage in more personalized one-on-one learning sessions, there’s an event for every need—the first and most crucial step is to show up.

3. Pay it forward by elevating others.

Many have walked the path before you, and many more will walk it after you. Although it's necessary to engage industry experts, you can also grow your network with people in similar career stages. You may feel uncomfortable being their mentor or guide, but you can still be an ally who provides valuable resources, and vice versa. 

Elevating and spotlighting others fosters a steady culture of collaboration. It demonstrates your willingness to contribute to others’ success, operating from a place of empathy and understanding. (A bonus: if you ever need assistance in the future, your diverse relationships might become your strongest source of support.) 

Grow your network with CCWomen. 

As a professional platform built by women, for women and allies, CCWomen is passionate about making impactful connections that go beyond the surface level. We equip our community with content, virtual events, and conferences to help you achieve your goalswhile finding a place where people can celebrate you just as you are. 

Networking when changing careers might feel like an uphill battle. With us, it can be an empowering journey. 

Ready to be a part of our story? Join our membership today!