Compare the day-to-day work
Write down common tasks, tools, schedule patterns and working environments. Ask which tasks are frequent and which appear only occasionally. Two jobs in the same industry can feel different if one is customer-facing and the other focuses on analysis, maintenance or delivery.
Use occupational profiles to build a picture of typical education, experience and pay. National data is a starting point. Search recent vacancies in your area for local requirements and compensation.
- Compare routes to entry, including work experience, coursework and apprenticeships.
- Look for skills that overlap between your current role and the new one.
- Ask someone in the occupation what they wish they had known when they started.
Take a low-cost next step
Choose one role to investigate further by attending an information session, arranging a brief conversation, or completing a small practice task. Record what you learned and whether it changed your original preference. The next step should help you make a decision without requiring an expensive commitment.