Post by The Big PINK One♥ on Jul 6, 2007 10:51:00 GMT -5
A career change doesn't have to turn your life upside down. In fact, the average American rolls the career dice three times throughout his or her working life. A recent Money Magazine poll found that 60% were planning or had made a career change. A second or third take on a career used to signal instability--today, a shake-up is an exciting opportunity to discover your career destiny.
Navigating a Career Change
A shake-up is still a shake-up, though--even when greater career satisfaction follows in its wake. The best strategy is to change course gradually, in stages. This guide to remaking your career should help smooth the ripples.
1. Identify the Problem
Before jumping ship, take a moment to analyze why you want out. If the problem is your boss or your company, you may just need a new job, not a new career. But if the underlying issue goes deeper, it's probably time for a major change.
A new career could be the right solution if you're looking for:
Advancement. If your career is stalling thanks to new technology or economic factors, it might be time to find a better avenue for your talents.
Creativity. If your job doesn't inspire your imagination, you may be ready for a more dynamic, creative career.
Work-Life Balance. If workaholism and stress are pervasive in your career, consider finding a role that respects life's other priorities: family, friends, hobbies, fresh air...
Passion. Personal fulfillment tops the list of reasons to change careers. "Passion is the new king," says Meredith Hanrahan of Salary.com. "Most people in second acts want their contribution to matter."
Money. Work isn't always a source of personal fulfillment--sometimes it's a source of income, plain and simple. There are plenty of golden opportunities in today's economy--it might be time to seize one.
2. Change Tack
The next step: focus your priorities into a specific career objective that fulfills your priority:
...Advancement, consider becoming a Personal Financial Advisor.
Financial advisors help clients manage their money, setting goals and recommending investment strategies. Job outlook is strong--the BLS predicts 35% growth through 2014. Salaries start at $30,000, but results are quickly rewarded with responsibility and six-figure earning power.
How to get there: The standard qualification for a financial advisor is a bachelor's degree in finance. Financial advisors rely on analytical and quantitative skills, so a background in economics, finance, accounting, business, or law provides a solid foundation.
...Creativity, consider becoming a Web Designer.
Web design is the creative outlet of the booming technology market, a perfect place for visual artists who don't want to suffer for their art. In fact, web design boasts some of the best career prospects across the board, landing among Fast Company's Top Ten Jobs for 2007. Monster.com charted 26 percent job growth in 2006 alone.
How to get there: Web designers typically enter the job market with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, digital multimedia arts, or computer science. A degree in a related field may suffice if you supplement it with technical training and develop a portfolio.
...Balance, consider becoming a Teacher.
Teaching offers flexibility, reasonable hours, and work-life balance. It's not just summers off… outside the classroom teachers set their own hours for developing lesson plans and grading assignments. Job opportunities in secondary schools should be "excellent," reports the BLS, especially in understaffed subjects like math, science, and foreign language/ESL.
How to get there: Teachers must complete a bachelor's degree and a teacher training program in order to obtain their state licenses. Fortunately for working career changers, teachers can do most of this training online.
...Money, consider becoming a Management Consultant.
Management consultants work with companies to improve their profitability and streamline business operations. Consulting is an ideal choice for a career changer who values a strong paycheck. Firms hire consultants with diverse backgrounds, looking for transferable skills such as analytical thinking and business acumen. Long hours are rewarded with generous compensation. The BLS reports an average salary of $89,116, and many consultants earn well over $100,000.
How to Get There: Management consulting firms hire people from a variety of backgrounds--business, economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science--but they favor MBAs. The best route for a career-changing degree seeker may be an online MBA. Programs are widely available, catering specifically to working professionals looking for a career boost. An online MBA typically means a world of new opportunities and higher pay.
3. Set Sail
You have a destination. Map your course, develop your qualifications, and sail forth confidently. Use this time to fill in any educational gaps and develop a network. Informational interviews and volunteer work can be great career icebreakers.
If your current career leaves you cold, you owe it to yourself to explore other career options. NPR's Ketzel Levine notes, "the pursuit of meaningful work is no mere luxury, but a way of life that many of us cannot do without...Life is simply too rich with possibility to justify a job that doesn't challenge, delight, or pay." Don't let your career destiny pass you by--seize it.
Navigating a Career Change
A shake-up is still a shake-up, though--even when greater career satisfaction follows in its wake. The best strategy is to change course gradually, in stages. This guide to remaking your career should help smooth the ripples.
1. Identify the Problem
Before jumping ship, take a moment to analyze why you want out. If the problem is your boss or your company, you may just need a new job, not a new career. But if the underlying issue goes deeper, it's probably time for a major change.
A new career could be the right solution if you're looking for:
Advancement. If your career is stalling thanks to new technology or economic factors, it might be time to find a better avenue for your talents.
Creativity. If your job doesn't inspire your imagination, you may be ready for a more dynamic, creative career.
Work-Life Balance. If workaholism and stress are pervasive in your career, consider finding a role that respects life's other priorities: family, friends, hobbies, fresh air...
Passion. Personal fulfillment tops the list of reasons to change careers. "Passion is the new king," says Meredith Hanrahan of Salary.com. "Most people in second acts want their contribution to matter."
Money. Work isn't always a source of personal fulfillment--sometimes it's a source of income, plain and simple. There are plenty of golden opportunities in today's economy--it might be time to seize one.
2. Change Tack
The next step: focus your priorities into a specific career objective that fulfills your priority:
...Advancement, consider becoming a Personal Financial Advisor.
Financial advisors help clients manage their money, setting goals and recommending investment strategies. Job outlook is strong--the BLS predicts 35% growth through 2014. Salaries start at $30,000, but results are quickly rewarded with responsibility and six-figure earning power.
How to get there: The standard qualification for a financial advisor is a bachelor's degree in finance. Financial advisors rely on analytical and quantitative skills, so a background in economics, finance, accounting, business, or law provides a solid foundation.
...Creativity, consider becoming a Web Designer.
Web design is the creative outlet of the booming technology market, a perfect place for visual artists who don't want to suffer for their art. In fact, web design boasts some of the best career prospects across the board, landing among Fast Company's Top Ten Jobs for 2007. Monster.com charted 26 percent job growth in 2006 alone.
How to get there: Web designers typically enter the job market with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, digital multimedia arts, or computer science. A degree in a related field may suffice if you supplement it with technical training and develop a portfolio.
...Balance, consider becoming a Teacher.
Teaching offers flexibility, reasonable hours, and work-life balance. It's not just summers off… outside the classroom teachers set their own hours for developing lesson plans and grading assignments. Job opportunities in secondary schools should be "excellent," reports the BLS, especially in understaffed subjects like math, science, and foreign language/ESL.
How to get there: Teachers must complete a bachelor's degree and a teacher training program in order to obtain their state licenses. Fortunately for working career changers, teachers can do most of this training online.
...Money, consider becoming a Management Consultant.
Management consultants work with companies to improve their profitability and streamline business operations. Consulting is an ideal choice for a career changer who values a strong paycheck. Firms hire consultants with diverse backgrounds, looking for transferable skills such as analytical thinking and business acumen. Long hours are rewarded with generous compensation. The BLS reports an average salary of $89,116, and many consultants earn well over $100,000.
How to Get There: Management consulting firms hire people from a variety of backgrounds--business, economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science--but they favor MBAs. The best route for a career-changing degree seeker may be an online MBA. Programs are widely available, catering specifically to working professionals looking for a career boost. An online MBA typically means a world of new opportunities and higher pay.
3. Set Sail
You have a destination. Map your course, develop your qualifications, and sail forth confidently. Use this time to fill in any educational gaps and develop a network. Informational interviews and volunteer work can be great career icebreakers.
If your current career leaves you cold, you owe it to yourself to explore other career options. NPR's Ketzel Levine notes, "the pursuit of meaningful work is no mere luxury, but a way of life that many of us cannot do without...Life is simply too rich with possibility to justify a job that doesn't challenge, delight, or pay." Don't let your career destiny pass you by--seize it.
