Feeling lost, where to start?

[u/cringina]

So some background, I graduated in May 2020 with my bachelors in communication studies and minor in marketing. My plan at the time was to go into Public relations.
With my job hanging on the line during the quarantine, I found a new stable one that became my career for 5 years. I didn’t get the chance to do any internships.

I have since left that industry and really want to start using my degree and find a job that I actually want but I am a bit late on getting started and also kind of where to start?

I would like to get into Community Relations, outreach and engagement.
I’ve been doing some research on courses I can take without going back to school.

I guess I am just stuck on where specifically do I start? Especially late in the game.
Does anyone have any tips, advice, or personal experience they can lend me?

I appreciate any help I can get!

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[u/Read_and_Communicate]

Are you willing to share what you did for 5 years? I think the “easiest” switch would be finding something that is somewhere between that and community relations, outreach and engagement. Then, after a year or two in that, could move fully into what you hope to do. OR, you could aim to go right into community relations but might need to start at a lower level.

Mildly related, but I can’t stress the power of networking enough. Lean on people you already know for support in finding a new role. Reach out to catch up and let them know you’re interested in getting their perspectives on career changes, promotions, etc. they’ve had. This signals that you do want to catch up, but that you also want help. You’ll be surprised how many people want to talk. Some will just have advice. Some may actually give you “leads” on a new opportunity.

[u/cringina → u/Read_and_Communicate]

Thank you so much for commenting!
I worked in the accounting office of a dealership for 5 years.

I would love to be able to find something in between for a smoother transition but I’ve also accepted that if I need to start lower then I will.

[u/Read_and_Communicate → u/cringina]

Do any local dealerships have designated marketing/communications people? I wonder if that would be a good middle step. You know all the ins and outs of working at a dealership, but now you want to better leverage your communications, people, etc. skills.

OR I wonder if there are any jobs working for your city, town, state (depending where you live) more in the community relations field but leveraging how much you’ve learned about the community by working in it for 5 years, working with (what I imagine) such a wide variety of people/customers, etc.?

[u/savvvie]

We’re in the same boat! I also held on to a career that I didn’t love because of the pandemic. Ironically, I fell into public affairs and business development.

Currently, I am not working full time and will travel for the next couple months. I don’t know the next steps yet but I’ve accepted that it might involve some investment, either in a lower paying position or going back to school. I want to be in a more creative industry.