Planning for a Career Change

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.

  1. Talk with at least 3 people in the field you're considering, and you think you'll be happy doing this type of work.
  2. Though better compensation may be a main consideration, money isn't the only reason you're considering this change.
  3. You'vetaken at least one interest assessment test to help determine what careers might best fit your talents and interests.
  4. 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.
  5. You're aware of the educational, certification, and skill requirements needed for an entry-level position in your chosen field.
  6. You have developed a timeline and a tentative map for how you will gain the skills and other requirements identified in step 5.
  7. You are mentally and financially prepared to start at the bottom if that's what it takes to break into this new field.
  8. 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
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Randi Fredricks is a Naturopathic Psychotherapist with a Doctorate in Naturopathy and a Masters in Psychology. She counsels clients at her office in San Jose, California. You can reach Randi at 408-315-0645 or contact her online. This article may be taken partially or in whole from Randi Fredricks' book Healing & Wholeness: Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Mental Health. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems.


















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