Planning for a Career Change
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Changing from a career with low satisfaction to your dream job can be one of the most exciting experiences in your
life - and one of the most stressful. Leaving behind all that's familiar for a leap into the unknown can be scary.
Friends and family may try to convince you you're crazy, especially if your current position is a lucrative one
with some degree of status and job security.
Changing careers is one of the biggest decision job-seekers face, and with many possible outcomes and consequences. Before you make
that jump to a new career field, consider these common career change mistakes so that you can avoid them as you make the transition
from one career to your next.
Though you'll want to consult with those whom your decision will impact (such as your partner), ultimate decisions about
your life are yours to make. If your heart tells you you'd make a great lawyer or a talented cinematographer, you owe it
to yourself at least to investigate the possibilities.
In order to make your decision thoughtful and well reasoned, consider the following suggestions before you give notice
and set sail for Hawaii on your quest to find your dream job.
Talk with at least 3 people in the field you're considering, and you think you'll be happy doing this type of work.
Though better compensation may be a main consideration, money isn't the only reason you're considering this change.
You'vetaken at least one interest assessment test to help determine what careers might best fit your talents and
interests.
You've discussed your career change plans with the people who may be affected, such as your spouse and family, and
they are supportive of your decision.
You're aware of the educational, certification, and skill requirements needed for an entry-level position in your
chosen field.
You have developed a timeline and a tentative map for how you will gain the skills and other requirements identified
in step 5.
You are mentally and financially prepared to start at the bottom if that's what it takes to break into this new
field.
You've investigated local opportunities for jobs in your new field and have determined if you'll need to relocate.
If so, you know where the jobs are, and you've looked into what's involved in relocating.
If you've already done the things in the above list, then you've done a thorough job researching your new field and
preparing a plan for getting there. You're on your way!
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
De Raeve, L., Kant, I., Jansen, N. W., Vasse, R. M., & van den Brandt, P. A. (2009). Changes in mental health as a predictor of changes in working
time arrangements and occupational mobility: results from a prospective cohort study. J Psychosom Res, 66(2), 137-145.
Dumas, R. G. (2009). The challenge to change. 1989. ABNF J, 20(3), 73-75.
Gowans, M. C., Glazier, L., Wright, B. J., Brenneis, F. R., & Scott, I. M. (2009). Choosing a career in psychiatry: factors associated with a career interest in psychiatry among Canadian students on entry to medical school. Can J Psychiatry, 54(8), 557-564.
Leeds. R. (2009). One year to an organized work life. Jackson, TN: Da Capo Lifelong Books.
Leeson, P. T. (2009). The invisible hook: The hidden economics of pirates. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
Leyshon, R. (2009). Narrative reflections on occupational transitions. Work, 33(3), 373-375.
Makridakis, S., Hogarth, R., & Gaba, A. (2009). Dance with chance: Making luck work for you. Oxford: Oneworld Publications.
Neil, B. (2002). Selling illusions: The cult of Multiculturalism in Canada. New York: Penguin.
O'Sullivan, T. M. (2009). Changing course-and the world. New Solut, 19(2), 167-170.
Richards, J. M., Drummond, R., Murray, J., Fraser, S., MacDonald, A., & Parks, R. W. (2009). What proportion of basic surgical trainees continue in a surgical career? A survey of the factors which are important in influencing career decisions. Surgeon, 7(5), 270-275.
Schekman, R. (2009). Change is good: life outside the nucleus. Nat Cell Biol, 11(11), 1274.
San Jose Therapy Counseling Psychotherapy psychotherapist therapist
