How to make changes like a rock climber or an astronaut

Astronauts and rock climbers have something in common. Both have a rule they follow when they want to make a change. Whether spacewalking or rock climbing, they make sure they have two solid options before making a move so they will still be safe even if a tether fails. Before making a move, rock climbers always secure a new connection before breaking the existing one. And astronauts routinely keep a SAFER (simplified aid for extravehicular activity rescue) device on their person so they are never entirely in danger of falling or drifting off into space. With something as important as your professional life, you may want to employ a similar strategy: have a solid backup connection in place before making a significant change.

Evaluate. Are you considering making a significant change in your professional life? Or are concerned you may have a change forced on you? No matter the reason, spend some time thinking about what that change is likely to be—where are you going to go, what aspects of your job or career do you want to keep, and what can you let go? Where do you have control, and in what circumstances will you have to react to someone else’s decision? Do you already have additional skills and expertise in complementary areas, or do you need to develop some? For example, suppose you are considering stepping out on your own as a consultant. In that case, you probably want to have a supplemental source of income until the business starts making a profit, and you may also want to acquire some business management skills.

Make a new connection. Once you have identified your vulnerable areas, the next step is to determine what complementary skills or resources you need and how to acquire them. Maybe you have strong skills in a particular analytical technique, but learning a second one would make you more valuable to your employer and also serve as a backup if the market changes and your primary skill becomes less in demand. Next, figure out how you can obtain a new skill or experience that you’ve identified—perhaps by taking a class at night, using a sabbatical for learning, or asking your organization to send you to a professional conference or workshop.

Test it. Once you’ve identified your new connection and how you’ll make it, find a way to test it gradually before making an irreversible change. For example, if management skills are your identified vulnerability, you could take some online classes and then seek out a volunteer position where you are required to manage other people before seeking management responsibilities at your paid job.

Make the break. Now that your new connection is solidly in place and tested, you can detach yourself from the first connection with confidence and depend on the new one. You’ll be ready to move into the new role at your current organization, start the consulting business, or accept the new job.

Change is often difficult, and you can’t always plan for it. But ensuring that you have a backup for the most important parts of your professional life will prepare you to handle change and allow you time to adjust and evaluate when change occurs.

Get involved in the discussion. The ACS Career Tips column is published monthly in C&EN. Send your comments and ideas for topics for future columns to careernavigator@acs.org.