You're looking to make a career change. What are the best ways to develop your new skills?

2 Choose relevant and realistic goals

Once you have a clear picture of your strengths and gaps, you need to set some goals for your skill development. What are the specific skills that you need to learn or improve for your new career? How will you measure your progress and success? You should choose goals that are relevant to your desired field and role, as well as realistic and achievable within your time and resources. For example, if you want to work in public relations, you might want to learn how to write press releases, pitch stories, or manage social media campaigns.

3 Find the best learning resources

There are many ways to learn new skills, depending on your preferences, budget, and availability. You can enroll in online courses, webinars, or workshops that cover topics related to public relations. You can read books, blogs, or articles that offer insights and tips from experts and practitioners. You can watch videos, podcasts, or webinars that showcase best practices and case studies. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups that connect you with other learners and professionals who can share their experiences and advice.

4 Apply your skills in practice

Learning new skills is not enough; you need to apply them in practice to reinforce your knowledge and gain confidence. You can look for opportunities to use your skills in real or simulated situations, such as volunteering, freelancing, or interning for an organization that works in public relations. You can also create your own projects, such as writing a blog, launching a podcast, or organizing an event, that showcase your skills and portfolio. You can also seek feedback from others who can evaluate your work and suggest improvements.

6 Keep learning and improving

Skill development is a continuous process that requires curiosity, motivation, and persistence. You need to keep learning and improving your skills as you progress in your new career. You can do this by staying updated on the latest trends, news, and research in public relations. You can also seek new challenges, opportunities, or projects that can stretch your skills and expose you to different scenarios. You can also reflect on your performance, achievements, and feedback, and identify areas for improvement.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?