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Rethinking Retail: A Guide to Unconventional Career Paths in India

Last updated on May 7, 2023

Are you one of those people who find the idea of working at a big-box retailer or a shop monotonous and wish to explore unconventional career paths in India? Are you looking for a career switch and wondering how to go about it? This blog is a comprehensive guide that will help you understand the job market in India and guide you through a successful career transition. In the coming words, we will discuss the realities of this industry, explore stories of success, and provide insight on wages and salaries of unconventional professions.

Unconventional, Yet Lucrative Career Options

When we are considering a career change, the idea of rethinking retail, in India especially, can seem daunting. We may be skeptical because of the lower salaries and lack of available jobs. But these are just prejudices that can be countered with the right information. Fortunately, there are several career options which are unconventional but are paying well enough in India. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Arts and Crafts

Creative individuals can pursue a career in arts and crafts if they have the talent and the resources. Selling paintings and sculptures, performing live shows, and designing clothes are just some of the ways an artist can make a profit from their craft. Many successful artists have earned a fair amount of money by selling their artwork. Moreover, the pay scale for arts and crafts professionals might vary as per the individual’s skill and experience. You can find useful content and classes on this area of expertise on various e-learning platforms.

Event Planning and Coordination

If you love managing people and events, then a career in event planning and coordination is perfect for you. With the help of the internet, you can create your own website where you can share your work and price range. As an event coordinator, you’ll be expected to organize and look after the entire event. You’ll need to be well-versed with marketing and business to ensure that the event is successful. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of an event coordinator in India is 4 Lakhs per annum.

Data Science and Machine Learning

Data science and machine learning are two of the most talked-about topics in the 21st century. A lot of startups now heavily rely on these technologies and tools to stay competitive. Even large businesses are betting big on this stream. Being a data scientist can be highly rewarding, considering the high demand and attractive wages. A beginner-level data scientist in India can earn anywhere between 3 to 10 Lakhs per annum, as per the experience and qualifications. To get started, you can take up some e-learning courses on data science and machine learning.

Real-Life Stories of Successful Career Transitions

If you are looking for motivation, you don't need to search any further. Reading success stories from the real world is the best way to get inspired and stay motivated. We will share some success stories of people who made a career transition and added significant value to their life. These stories demonstrate that there is always an opportunity if you are well-prepared.

Ramya Sharma, an art analyst, was stuck at a monotonous desk job until a few months back. But she was determined to make her love for art the source of her livelihood. As she already had a professional experience in the field, Ramya enrolled in a course on the latest art analysis software and practices. This helped her gain the necessary expertise and industry connections. Today, Ramya analyses and assesses artwork to sell on behalf of some of the most renowned artists in the country and earns nearly 6 Lakhs per annum. She never thought her career switch will turn into this.

Priya Mukherjee was a part of the media industry, heading the content division of a renowned daily. With her in-depth knowledge of the content industry, she made an early transition to the field of animation and visual effects. In a few months, she was able to learn the basics of 3D animation, and in another few, Priya had secured her first job as an animator. Today, she is working at a respected animation house, making it big in the industry. From a salary of less than 3 Lakhs per annum just a few months ago, Priya now earns over 5 Lakhs every year.

Finally, let’s talk about Amit Saini, a person who was into trading and sales before transitioning to digital marketing. With some knowledge of marketing techniques, Amit decided to become an independent digital marketer. He enrolled himself into an advanced digital marketing course, which allowed him to understand the nuances of the industry. Soon, he started taking up digital marketing assignments and learning the advanced techniques of online marketing. In the first year of his career switch, Amit was able to make 5 Lakhs per annum and today, due to his experience and expertise, he easily bags 8 to 9 Lakhs per year.

Challenges and Tips to Overcome Them

Naturally, transitioning to an unconventional career path – especially if it’s a relatively new and unknown field – isn’t a cakewalk. Most people find themselves in a dilemma and uncertain when it comes to jumping onto the unknown side. This feeling is normal, but the challenge? That needs to be addressed and tackled.

One of the prime agricultural issues with career transition is lack of resources or the right guidance. You will likely be the one person with very less idea about the field. To address this, you got to make use of the information which is readily available over the internet such as e-learning portals, YouTube content, mentor-based guidance, and so on. Do your research and make sure you have the right information about the career before you make a move.

Apart from this, lack of finances can be another major concern. You may find yourself with limited financial resources and that means you need more planning and execution throughout the process. Keeping an eye on the cost and aligning them with the overall requirement is something that you need to take care of right from the starting itself.

Finally, dealing with the unemployment period after quitting a job is something that can be a real challenge. During this period, it is important to keep yourself positive and to maintain a focused attitude. Having a positive outlook towards life and sticking to a plan with discipline can also help you in handling this phase with more finesse.

Steps to Make a Successful Career Transition

When it comes to transitioning to an unconventional career in India, the process needs to be planned and executed well. Here are few steps that you should take in order to make the transition successful:

Determine your goals – Decide on the career you wish to move to, research and analyze the market, pinpoint the skills required and assess the soft skills you possess.
Gather adequate resources – Collect sufficient resources such as e-learning portfolios, online tutorials, and industry mentor programs.
Work on your skillset – Begin to assess the skills that you need to develop, create a detailed plan for learning and buildup the same.
Broaden your network – Start networking with people from your dream industry, get them to mentor you, and connect with influencers.
Practice and persevere – Gain hands-on experience by taking internships, freelancing, and self-learning. Persevere and keep at it until you achieve your goals.

Conclusion

This blog post has provided an insightful guide to unconventional career paths in India, discussing the journey of people who have made successful transitions and offering advice on the steps that need to be implemented. The blog post has also touched upon the salary insights and the challenges you can expect during such a transition. If you are able to keep at it and stay motivated, it is quite possible to make a successful career transition into one of these fields. All the best!