Change Careers? Why Not?

By: Karen Larsen
Submitted: 2007-01-17 11:47:19
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

Changing careers? Thinking about it? If not, why not? If you’re not happy where you are, then changing your career may be a wonderful move. However, change is a scary concept and shifting careers can be downright terrifying to consider. Relax, it doesn’t have to be.

Are you happy where you are? If so, congratulations, best wishes, stay there. Change for change’s sake is just silly. However, if you feel confined, know that you’ll never go anywhere on the corporate ladder or are just plain unhappy, then investing in your future by switching careers is an excellent idea.

Careers are something many of us choose for the wrong reasons. We decide what to do with our lives based on what our parents do, what our friends decide to do, or what makes more money than what we really love. Worse yet, some careers start from jobs we fall into and end up stuck in. You’re not stuck, you can change!

The easiest - and hardest - thing to do is decide what career you want to pursue. Switching careers without a clear vision of what you want to gain from the change is an effort in futility. So, sit down and think about what you like to do outside of work. Not everyone can make a hobby into a paying job, but why not think about it? Maybe you’ll find a way.

For example, if you enjoy coaching children, perhaps you could change careers and become a teacher. If you have a strong sense of justice, perhaps being a police officer or a judge is something to consider. Shifting careers doesn’t have to be difficult or noble. Do you like being outdoors? How about starting your own lawn service?

Once you’ve narrowed down the field of careers to just one or two, start researching them. If you know someone who is in the field you’re considering, ask them about the pros and cons. Find out what they really do in the course of a day, which may not be what you think. Look at all aspects of a career, not just pay. Consider the work environment and the stress levels, the hours and the potential for advancement.

Now you’ve decided on the career you want out of the huge number of careers available. Do you need extra education? Specialized training? Or can you just start the new job? Can you afford to leave the old job without all your financial ducks in a row?

This is the time to figure out the nuts and bolts of the changing careers thing. If you want a job that requires additional education or training, how will you get it? There are many schools offering online degrees now. This may fit into your schedule and your needs. Perhaps just doing some research on the internet at a site like Alternative Careers or checking books out of the library will be all you need to get started.

Now you’re all set to change careers, yes? Feet a little cold at the thought of leaving the familiar? That’s normal. Change is scary, especially when it can affect your financial wellbeing. There is no good way to get over the hesitation you’ll feel at switching careers except to just do it. Make the change. Once you’ve jumped into the process, you’ll become more comfortable and will probably end up wondering why you ever worried about changing careers.

So, if you’ve thought the careers process through, and are ready to start on your new path, then go ahead and take that first step. And have fun with it!

Whether your looking to change careers or just enhance the one you’ve got, check out http://www.careerblder.com and http://www.abccareer.com two great sources of information on all things dealing with careers.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Careers category

  • Are You Ready For Your First Job? - By: Wei King
    Perhaps you are just a young student, but you need more money to afford your life, so you may want to find a proper job. However, don't be so impatient to find a job, you should think if you have good ability for job.
  • What Can Teens Get From A Job? - By: Wei King
    As you grow up, you will find more and more teen friends begin to find jobs and work, perhaps you are also going to do that, but a part-time job may take your some time, so, is it worth to get a teen job? yes, it's worth, you can get lots of things from a teen job.
  • Master Delegators - By: Kenneth J. Skiba
    If you are reviewing this article, my guess is you are the go to person who finalizes projects in your organization. We can all learn from sides, a micro manager, and a master delegator. Both have strengths and weaknesses. The best way to work with a delegator is to understand what motivate them, be organized and be prepared as you may be the person that drives the important details of tasks.
  • Being a Caregiver - By: James O. Armstrong
    Following is part two of an interview with Phyllis Slater, owner of Slater Solutions LLC. Ms. Slater has devoted years to providing coaching and concierge services to the working caregiver and aging parent. Visit Phyllis Slater's website simply by Googling the name Phyllis Slater.
  • The Simple Guide to Become a Holiday Representative - By: Nick Redding
    Nowadays, many people are mull over to do something dissimilar and courageous, as to be a Holiday Representative. A holiday representative is person who takes care of all types of tourists. Airport duties: These consist of collecting tourists at the airport and shift them to their housing or hotels and the reverse where tourists are returned to the airport in preparation for their flight home.
  • How to Become a Successful Mobile Hairdresser - By: Nick Redding
    To become a successful mobile hairdresser you need to accomplish some requirements. More than 60% of mobile hairdressers are now trained to this standard. It is the direct entry level for growing hairdressers. National Vocational Qualification in Hairdressing.
  • Key Responsibilities for become a holiday representative - By: Nick Redding
    For becoming a holiday representative you need specific qualification but this qualification is depends on the type of position you are going to choose. it means, that if you are choosing for the position of children's representative it would mainly require specific qualifications as the representative. The proper qualification is normally not required for become a holiday representative.Make sure to deal with all the troubles faced by your clients very efficiently and also look for direction from the Resort Team leader or manager if necessary.
  • Careers In Music Industry... These 4 Words Sum Up Some Of The Most Glamorous Futures Ever - By: Dave Weston
    Careers In Music Industry! Our idols, our dreams, our interests, our themes... our lives!
  • Passed Over: How to Survive Promotion Let Down - By: Daryl Green
    Discover how to survive being passed over for a job promotion.
  • How Can I Find Work in Music When There Are Only 25 Music Careers? - By: Dave Weston
    The Music Industry is not only limited to 25 music careers and - is not just for singers, rappers, musicians, dancers, song writers, producers, etc. that are super talented... and some not so talented. It's also for those that love a behind the desk job, or hands on work or technical electronics or the office executive and so on and so on.