Get Smart

Your first step toward making this transition is to make time in your schedule to do homework on the industry that interests you. Diving headfirst into research can be overwhelming, though, so start by making categories of what you want to find. Think like an entrepreneur starting a business in this field. Who are the customers, and why do they need these products or services? Who are the major companies serving these customers, and which are the biggest players? Who are the newcomers or industry disrupters? Is the industry growing or slowing?

Get Social

Once you start to get a grasp of the area that interests you, it’s time to step up and build your personal brand by starting a blog or website. Not sure what to write about? Keep an eye on the business book lists of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, then write reviews of the ones that are relevant to your industry. And don’t be afraid to have a bold, provocative opinion. Lukewarm perspectives are rarely remembered, so take advantage of being a relative outsider and engage critically with their arguments.

Get Seen

You’ve studied up and you’ve built an online presence, and now it’s time to be where the action is: In-person.

Find networking events in your area by engaging with professional organizations and using sites like Meetup, watching closely for for the subjects and names you’ve been researching. Then, show up with some really good questions to ask the people you meet. While you should definitely plan to approach any panelists or speakers, connecting with fellow attendees is just as important because they are likely to become your peers or co-workers if you make the transition.