Starting over can be scary, no matter how much experience you already have.
Whether you’re moving into communications or pivoting from admin work into strategy, changing industries comes with a lot of unknowns. You may question if you’re qualified. You may wonder if people will take you seriously. And most of all, you may find yourself battling one quiet, persistent thought: Do I belong here?
The truth is: confidence doesn’t always come before you start; it often shows up after you’ve tried, learned, and kept going. If you’re in the process of making a career switch into communications or any new field, this post is for you.
Here’s how to build belief in yourself as you step into new territory.
- Recognize the Transferable Value of Your Background
Confidence begins with perspective. One of the most empowering shifts you can make as a career switcher is to stop viewing your previous experience as unrelated. Instead, consider how your past roles whether in teaching, sales, customer service, admin, or another field have prepared you for this next step.
Communication is a skill that spans every industry. Perhaps you’ve spent years writing reports, training teams, navigating client relationships, or managing internal communications. These are not side skills, they are foundational in a comms career.
When you begin to view your prior experience through the lens of communication, you’ll see that you’re not starting over, you’re repositioning what you already bring.
- Take Strategic Action Before You Feel “Ready”
Confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you “feel ready.” It comes from doing something new and realizing you can do it.
If you’re unsure about your footing, start small:
- Write a blog post or LinkedIn article about something you care about
- Offer to help a friend with their brand messaging or content
- Join a comms project in a volunteer capacity
- Take a short course and create a sample project
Every small win becomes a proof point.
- Connect with Professionals Already in the Space
Engage with professionals already working in communications through informational interviews, LinkedIn conversations, industry webinars, or networking communities. Ask about their career paths, the challenges they faced when starting out, and the skills they use daily.
These conversations offer more than insight, they offer validation. You’ll quickly discover that many successful professionals began in entirely different industries and built their careers step by step.
- Refine the Way You Introduce Your Career Story
As a career switcher, how you talk about your transition matters — especially in interviews or networking settings. Instead of framing your past roles as unrelated or “former lives,” position them as chapters that shaped your ability to succeed in communications. For example:
“I spent the last few years working in project management, which involved a lot of internal communication, client engagement, and storytelling. Over time, I realized those were the areas I was most passionate about, which is what led me to pursue a career in communications.”
Framing your shift with clarity and purpose builds trust and positions you as someone who is both intentional and forward-thinking.
- Set Measurable, Encouraging Milestones
As a career switcher, it’s easy to compare your early days in a new field to someone who’s been there for 5–10 years. But that’s not a fair benchmark. In this phase, success might look like:
- Sending your first pitch
- Getting positive feedback on a content piece
- Being shortlisted for an interview
- Feeling excited instead of overwhelmed
Tracking these moments helps reinforce that you’re not just hoping. They’re signs that you’re moving forward and that confidence is starting to build.
Career transitions require courage, but they also offer growth. If you’re stepping into a new industry, remind yourself that it’s normal to feel uncertain at first. What matters is your willingness to show up, learn, and stay committed to the direction you’re building toward.
You don’t need to wait until everything feels perfect. Confidence will meet you in motion.
And if you’d like support on that journey, the Comms Accelerator Course is designed specifically for professionals like you who are ready to grow, reposition, and step into communications with structure, clarity, and confidence.
You can register here.
