5 Signs a Nontraditional Career Might Be for You
Whether you’re a college student or full-time worker, the terms side hustle, influencer, and freelance work have probably overflowed your social media feeds and daily advertisements. That is because the entrepreneurial, nontraditional spirit is more alive than ever.
Nearly 5.4 million applications were filed to form new businesses in 2021 — the most of any year on record, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics.
Now, with social media, online advancements, and more work-from-home options, people of all ages are itching to see if they can form a career outside of the 9-to-5 world, such as freelancing, owning a small business, or in the arts. So how do you know if nontraditional career might be for you?
In my new book Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams — 99 Stories From Families Who Did, I interviewed more than 30 successful female entrepreneurs — from Aviator Nation founder Paige Mycoskie to actress Emmanuelle Chriqui — to see what helped them succeed on their non traditional paths.
Though these women come from diverse backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, and ages, they all share common characteristics that propelled them to entrepreneurial greatness from passion, creativity, grit, ambition, fearlessness, and persistence.
To start weighing the pros and cons of entrepreneurship versus a steady job, consider the following:
1. You’ve had a dream, passion, or idea for a long time.
Maybe it’s a project you started in high school, but haven’t been able to finish while in college. Maybe it’s a product or a service that you created as a stay-at-home parent, but haven’t had time to grow and don’t know where to start. If you’ve thought, “If only I could devote myself to this full-time,” ask yourself:
Am I willing to give up my weekends to finish this project faster?
Am I willing (and do I have the energy) to work on my project for hours after an eight-hour shift?
How far will my project need to develop before I can comfortably leave my 9-to-5 job?
How much are my living expenses, and how long could I afford to work without an income, if at all?
2. You think outside the box.
You cringe at the thought of a workplace that embraces the mantra, “This is how we do it because this is how we have always done it.” You are innovative and love problem-solving to create a better version of a product or service. Does this ring true? If so, you could be a budding entrepreneur.
3. Your mission drives you more than money.
Uninspiring projects are the bane of your existence. Instead, you desire a sense of purpose and dream of making a difference in the world. Are you envisioning your future product or service and how it will help with your mission? If so, start to research the market and competition. Begin by listening to podcasts; network by attending virtual or in-person Meetups; joining LinkedIn, Facebook, or other social media groups that seem reputable and provide interaction for free at some level; and reading books or online resources to understand what it takes to build a business.
4. You’re not afraid to fail.
You look at failure as a learning experience, or you fail forward. Other people are easily discouraged and give up. If you lose a tennis match, aren’t cast in a play, or receive a rejection from your newspaper for an article you wanted published, you keep moving forward.
Sure, rejection can sting, but you believe “This is how I will learn, get better, and become the best.” If this is your mindset — you are likely a natural risk-taker — who is not afraid to fail. Surround yourself with others who embody this attitude, because it will only make you stronger on your entrepreneurial trek.
5. You work intensely when you love what you’re doing.
Growing up, you didn’t want to sit all day in school, and the selected homework reading bored you. You couldn’t concentrate on assignments unless you loved the topic. After school, you’d spend hours practicing your passion: sports, acting, singing, drawing, sewing, cooking, writing poetry, graphic design, coding, organizing your friends for an exciting group project, running for student government, or raising money for a nonprofit.
When you are interested, you can work for hours without interruption. No one can stop you. Determination is a common entrepreneurial trait.
My advice to recent grads who have ideas other than going to career fairs or taking one of the jobs offered by their school’s placement office?
Don’t fight your instinct: Embrace it!
Learn about your passion.
Make a game plan — and commit to it. This also means a sound financial game plan.
Interview as many people as you can who have chosen a similar path.
Let your parents know how they can support your choices, no matter how unconventional they are. If they have constructive criticism, it costs nothing to listen.
Tell your friends and family that you want to follow your heart and see where it leads.
Be realistic about your financial situation and prepare in advance. You ideally should have three to six months worth of expenses in a rainy day fund saved ahead of starting a venture, and you may have to work part or full time to make ends meet while you are getting your entrepreneurial venture off the ground. There are also accelerators and incubators to help you grow your idea into a viable product or service.
Remember, a traditional job is not the only path to a successful life.
Entrepreneurship could be a better choice, but do not overlook the hardships, such as financial instability and less time for friends and family.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, however, those hardships will not stop you. You’ll find ways to overcome obstacles.
No matter the amount of time, emotional peaks and valleys, and investment, you believe you’ll still be more fulfilled on a nontraditional route.
At a minimum, you’ll try and grow.
This expert produced this original thought leadership piece free of charge to SheVentures. This expert values educating female entrepreneurs and the SheVentures community. SheVentures is not receiving affiliate compensation from the author/expert. Questions? Contact social@sheventurespodcast.com.
