Would you like to join the millions of people that are looking for an exciting new career? If so, it’s not as difficult as you may think or may have been lead to believe. Many individuals that have been in a certain career for years feel that it’s too late for them to change careers. They couldn’t be more wrong. Retraining for a new career can be exciting and very easy. In fact retraining for a new career will probably be easier than it was to train for your original career years ago. Let me explain the theory behind this.
More Choices than Ever Available
If you’ve been at the same career for many years, you probably remember the training that went into your chosen career. It may have been a technical school, a fully accredited college or a succession of classes until you’ve completed the program and earned your degree. You may also remember the choices you were limited to at that time. Today, however, the choices of careers available are endless. For every one field there may have been 20 years ago, today there are twenty or more choices in that same field. The number of different career fields has expanded as well. Let me give you a little example.
Years ago a female that wished to get into the medical field had the options of a doctor, registered nurse or practical nurse. While there may have been a few more choices available in large cities with large major colleges, almost everyone else was limited in their choices. Today and individual wanting to enter the medical field has choices like you wouldn’t believe such as surgical assistant, emergency room technician, x-ray technician, physician’s assistant, nursing assistant, physical therapist assistant to name just a few.
Accessibility Due to the Internet
In addition to the many choices now available to make career retraining possible, we also have many more choices due to the internet. The internet offers online schools and universities that give you the opportunity to earn your full degree while continuing at your current job. Unlike the past when you had to attend college full-time every day, the internet allows you to take courses at your leisure and at your own pace. You learn as fast or as slow as you can fit into your life. Retraining for a new career is not only fun but can be very exciting, especially when it’s done on the internet.
If you’re interested in retraining for a career change, don’t waste another minute thinking you don’t have the time or can’t afford to take time off work or any other excuses you may have used in the past. A new career may be right around the corner-all you have to do is start your research. Searching online will become a full time job in itself when you start looking for the many careers you may be interested in retraining for. You’ll also be given all the information you need regarding program requirements, fees, course descriptions, etc. You’ll be amazed at how easily retraining will be, especially when you choose a specific career choice.

As a psychologist and career counselor, I have worked with thousands of people over the years who are choosing or changing careers, and who are wondering whether they would really like to be in a particular career. Based on this experience, I believe that most people who want to go into a career they think they’d like do not really explore the questions they need to in order to be sure that it’s the right career for them.

Here is a list of 20 questions to find answers to before concluding that a career you think you’d like is really right for you, followed by 9 sources of information for answering these questions:

Questions:1. In general, why do you think you’d “like” this career?2. Why is going into this career important to you? What values, needs, and goals does it satisfy?3. What do you actually know about this career?4. Do you have any direct experience in this career? Have you had any jobs or volunteer experiences?5. Have you talked to people who are in this career?6. Have you done any reading on the career?7. What are the opportunities? What kinds of money can you make in this field, and where are the openings?8. What would your typical day be like in this career?9. What are the drawbacks, disadvantages, and roadblocks of this career?10. Do your interests match the interests of others in this career?11. Do you have the aptitudes, skills, and abilities to be successful in this career?12. Do you have the education or training to get into this career?13. Do you have the personality characteristics that will make you successful in the new career?14. Do you have the motivation and energy to follow through and do what you would need to do to get into the new career?15. What are your “transferable” skills? That is, what skills or knowledge do you now have that you can use in the new career?16. What skills or knowledge do you have that would not only be transferable, but that would also be a unique advantage in the new career? 17. What will it take to get into the new career? What kind of additional training, education, or experience would you need?18. Have you developed a specific plan, including timetables and specific goals to be accomplished?19. Do you have a network of support from family, friends, co-workers, or significant others?20. Having answered all of the above questions, do you still “like” the career and think it’s a good idea to get into it, and why?

I think you’ll find that there are many resources you can use to help you answer the above questions. Among them:1. Reading. This would include not only the hundreds of books and pamphlets on careers and career choice, but also publications describing careers (such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department of Labor and available on the Internet).2. Practical experience. Not only is it possible to get a full-time or part-time job, but one can also volunteer at an organization or a company a couple of hours a week, just to get exposure to the area. Usually, any organization is glad to have this kind of help (unless they think you’re an investigative reporter from some newspaper or TV program).3. Job search counseling. Anyone changing career directions needs a highly competitive job search strategy. This should include resume, cover letter, and job interviewing strategies that are specific to your situation. This may also include advice on researching the job market.4. A thorough self-assessment. This is not an assessment BY yourself, but an assessment OF yourself. A good career counselor can provide this kind of assessment, which would include counseling and testing.5. Career tests. In general, tests divide into three categories: 1) aptitude, ability, and skills tests, 2) career interest tests, and 3) personality and motivational tests that focus on characteristics related to the career world.6. Career coaching. Guided discussions with an expert can help you to clarify your goals, strategies, and commitment.7. Education and training. Before you launch full-time into a degree program, it is possible to take one course, or a seminar, or a workshop, or a brief certificate program in the new career.8. Networking. There are many job clubs and career resource centers available to explore new careers. Schools, career counselors, and other professionals can usually give you information on these resources. 9. Informational interviewing. It’s usually not a good idea to go into a career if you haven’t talked to at least a few people who are already in it and can give you the lowdown. You can also talk to people in academic and training programs.

Armed with all of this information and all of these insights, you should now be in a better position to judge whether taking the next step in this new career area makes sense for you.

Facing a Career Change Economic times are difficult today, and many people are facing a career change in order to maintain their standard of living. As scary as that may sound, it gives many people the opportunity to renew the passion they had for their specialty by finding something new that they can really be interested in. Many people choose what they want to do in high school or their first year in college, and once they realize they have to spend the next 20 + years hammering that anvil, they find out it isn’t what they wanted at all. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for facing that change that will make the transition easier when it comes: Be Passionate About Your New Career Have you discovered what your true niche is? Some people realize what they really want to do while working in the career they previously chose, and once the time for change happens, they are able to truly concentrate on what they are passionate about. It is much easier to choose a position that you can commit to after you have gained more experience, began living a certain lifestyle, and are more confident in your abilities to manage a career path than when you are fresh out of high school. Put some time and effort into choosing a new career path that you will really enjoy. Research New Training and Education When you are faced with the change, it is important to prepare yourself properly for your next move. Be sure to look into different training programs and schools, determine whether you will only need an additional certification or license, or if a degree will be required. Ensure that the school or training program that you choose is credible by checking its accreditation status and find out what other students experiences have been with that school. Feedback from students who have attended that institution is a great way to determine if that program will be worth your time, so be sure to seek out forums or reviews. Prepare Your Budget and Finances Many people do not appropriately prepare their finances and budget for the career change they are facing. When a person changes careers, it is possible that they will not make the same amount of money they made, either in a lower amount or in a higher amount of their previous salary. If your new salary will be lower than the salary you were accustomed to, make a new budget, cut expenses and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your family will still be able to function.

Individuals that are not content in their current jobs want a new career. These individuals feel like moving on or moving forward because they feel stagnant or that they are moving backward. Before you can change careers though, you need to assess the current situation to determine why you want a new career.
You need to identify what needs fixing in your current career in order to make the new career you want right for you. If you do not understand what is making you unhappy it is hard to find the perfect destination for your new job. There are levels of contentment in a career. These levels will help you determine the exact type of career change you need when you want a new career.
Here are a few things to ask yourself:
1. Is the work environment dissatisfying?
2. Is it the company culture, poor management, communication issues, clients, co-workers?
3. Are the hours too long? Or too short?
Depending on the answers to these questions you may need a career change. Sometimes when it is the environment, people, or the hours these things can be easily fixed by looking for a different company to work for. By moving to a new company you can perhaps erase what is wrong and find the passion in your chosen career again.
The next level in discovering if your job is what is unsatisfying for you has to do with the position itself. If you are unhappy with the work required, the activities, or purpose of the position you might consider a career change. For example are the skills you need for the career something you dislike? Do you feel you are not using your knowledge as you should be? Perhaps you cannot be yourself at the workplace? These questions for level two help you get at the heart of what could be bothering you in the current career. The answers you have will determine if you need a change of career.
The last level has to deal with a life crisis. At certain points in our life we feel regrets eat at us. We feel we have not done everything we wanted or that everything is not going the way we planned. During this period it can be burnout, illness, or personal changes that occur to make you feel as if you need a new career.
At any level you may decide a new career is needed. You do not have to wait for level three to come around. If you want a new career it is best to understand where you fit on the levels in order to change accordingly.
As we discovered with level one sometimes it is just changing the workplace that you need rather than a new career. Level two is when you really feel you want a new career. It is in level two that you may find you need more or less challenge. You are looking for something completely different that uses your skills.

If your job is leaving you feeling bored, frustrated, uninspired, or burned out, you’re probably wondering what else is out there. Where can you find a career that makes you excited to get to work each day? Does your dream job really exist? It may seem overwhelming to try to find that perfect career, especially if you’re feeling stuck in your current one, but if you start small and do some hard thinking, you’ll find that a satisfying career is not so far out of reach.

1. Start positive. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, it may be hard to identify the elements you like about it. Most people, though, enjoy at least a few aspects of even the dreariest job. You may hate your boss but love your colleagues. Or maybe you believe in the cause you’re working for, despite the dismal pay. Make a list of the things you like about your current job—these are your first clues about what to look for in a new one.

2. Think big. Now’s the time to make a wish list. What characteristics would make a job perfect for you? Would it be flexible hours, a cooperative team, more responsibility? Maybe you’d like a chance to work in a creative or artistic setting, or the opportunity to show your leadership potential. Don’t worry about whether these things are realistic or whether there’s a job out there that fits the bill (not just yet!). Make a list of all the factors that you’re looking for in a dream career.

3. Brainstorm. Compile a list of every job, no matter how farfetched, that you’ve ever thought you might like or be good at. Don’t censor yourself; once you’ve got a good list going, you’ll start to see patterns. Look for common factors in the jobs you’ve listed. Maybe your fantasy careers are all active, fast-paced physical jobs (like firefighter, forest ranger, and FBI agent), or they might involve caring for and helping others (nurse, teacher, counselor).

4. Test yourself. There are dozens of career tests on the market designed to help you discover your ideal career. While these tests range in quality, from novelty tests on free sites to scientifically validated tests provided only by psychologists, there are many excellent resources online. Look for a website that provides well-researched career assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Strong Interest Inventory, which will provide you with comprehensive information on appropriate careers for your personality type and interests.

5. Do some research. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a great resource for career searchers. Visit their website at bls.gov and click on the Occupational Outlook Handbook to view salary ranges, educational requirements, job descriptions, and growth projections for hundreds of careers.

6. Check with an expert. A career coach can help you further identify the elements of a career that will bring you lasting satisfaction. A knowledgeable coach can also suggest careers similar to ones you’ve come up with yourself, and help you decide which careers best fit your goals.

7. Start where you are. If it’s not practical for you to completely retrain for a new career right now, think again about what’s missing from your current job. Is there a different position within your current company that provides more of what you need? Could you keep your job title, but find a new company with a better work environment? You might even ask your boss about making changes in your regular responsibilities that would allow you to do more of what you enjoy. Changing careers is a major goal, and if you can start by taking gradual steps towards doing what you really want, you’ll find that your efforts pay off quickly in greater satisfaction with your work.

Baby boomers. They’re the generation born between 1946 and 1964. They came of age in the early 70s and early 80s. They’re the generation that made changes and waves, worked harder and longer, put off marriage and children, did things differently than previous generations.

Whether because of financial necessity or because they have something to offer, baby boomers are staying in the workforce longer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and projections indicate that by 2010 there should be 18.5 million boomers ages 45 to 49 in the labor force, as compared to 14.7 in 1995, and 16.8 million versus 10.6 million in the 50- to 54-years-old range.

They’re still making changes. They’re retiring later, or not at all. If not downsized or laid off, boomers often continue to work. When they don’t choose to continue in the same career, it doesn’t mean they’re ready to stop contributing, and sometimes they’re making transitions to new careers.

“On average there are three to five career changes in a person’s lifetime and that’s pretty common,” says Kevin Gaw, Director of Career Development, University of Nevada, Reno. “It’s pretty common that a layoff ends up being a great opportunity for someone to find something that’s more suited to them, too.”

But it can be challenging to a baby boomer to be suddenly confronted with a career change. They were raised in a world where you got your education, then got your job, and while you may not have stayed with the job until you retired, you would probably stay in the same profession. “It can be jarring to realize you have to transfer your skill set to another area,” says Gaw.

In 2004, Gaw’s office worked with 208 alumni. Nearly 7.5 percent were going through a career change, three percent because of a forced situation such as layoff or company closure or relocation. The rest of them just wanted to do something different.

When you’re faced with an important career shift, there are things you can to do make it easier on yourself and achieve a more enjoyable, productive career change.• Look at your skills. Determine which are transferable to other jobs.

• Find your passion. What do you love to do? “It’s not about the money,” Gaw says. “The money isn’t what makes us happy. What makes us happy is doing something that’s meaningful to us.”
• Look at reality. If you want to be an astronaut but can’t do math, Gaw says, the reality is it’s unlikely. People need to work through that disappointment and maybe change that passion to a hobby rather than a vocation.
• Determine whether you want to make a radical career change? say from legal secretary to Web designer? or stay within the same profession.
• If you like the company you’re with but feel the need for change, see if they can retain and retrain you. If it comes down to a complete career change, there are also some things you can do to help create a whole new career for yourself.
• Promote yourself rather than your age. Once you get into a position and can show off your skills, you’ll be known for those skills rather than your years.
• Start slow. Before investing heavily in education, determine if it’s the right career path for you.
• Network. Many non-entry level positions are found by references. Join professional organizations in the field you want to enter.
• Consider working for yourself. A job market survey conducted in 2005 by global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., quoted on thematuremarket.com, indicated that of 3000 job seekers, 13 percent chose to work for themselves, and 86.6 percent of them were over 40.

From Small Business Administration chapters based on most university campuses to SCORE? Service Corps of Retired Engineers? there are programs that can help you start up.

Another option is to leverage your experience and teach or train. Moving into training? coaching people just entering the profession you’re leaving? is a fairly informal move. Teaching requires state licensing, and there are programs helping place retiring workers into teaching positions. The University of Nevada Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning takes executives through a first-time licensing program and puts them in the schools in just a couple semesters, often teaching in high-needs areas like math, science and languages.

Likewise, IBM unveiled their Transition to Teaching program in September, reimbursing them for tuition and providing stipends while they student teach. Many of their executives are highly trained in math and computer sciences.

Whether making a career change to a new profession or a new position, Gaw says such changes are a normal life pattern. “It’s a good thing to be open to change. The challenge is recognizing skill sets and knowing how to capitalize on them and present them to the new opportunities.”

Now begins the hard questions that you have to explore to make your decision. You need to begin evaluating who you are and what you want in life. Maybe a different job and not a different career is what you really want.
You won’t know until you really take a good long look.
Step One – Identify What Suits You
The first step one should take when considering a career change is to make a list of jobs you want to explore. There are free career tests online to help you narrow down the list and decide what you want to focus on. Next you want to research your list.
Take a good long list and research all the jobs on it. Look into all aspects of these potential occupations you can think of.
Get a book from your local library so you can see all the good and potentially bad aspects of the occupations and get a book on career change while you are there. Career change can be scary but worthwhile.
What would bring you more happiness in your life? Are you looking for more money or are you more interested in affecting social change?
Step Two – Sounds Like A Plan
Any career change is going to require you to set some goals and make an action plan. Are you willing to get further education? Try to talk to someone in the occupation you are interested in.
Grill them about the skills needed, how they got started, what they see as the challenges. Any career change requires some flexibility on your part. Are you willing to go all the way and do what it takes to be successful. Do you feel passion when you think of it?
Trying to get an internship is one way to test your career change. Is it all you imagined it would be? Before you go out and get a degree, answer these questions.
Step Three – Tactics In Your Existing Job
If you are currently employed, keeping quiet about your plans may be the best thing for you. That may mean not telling co workers you are close too. You especially don’t want anything getting to your boss if you are just testing the waters.
Remember many people before you have made a career change and were happier people for it. Finding a mentor to guide you can offer valuable career change advice.
This opens up a whole new network of people for you to gain experience and may eventually lead to a job.
For most of us the thought of a career change is so scary. But, if we all just stayed right where we are right noe, what more can life offer us? Look inside yourself and take inventory of what you want out of life and it is entirely possible that the fear is the only thing holding you back.
Sometimes it only takes one initial step to overcome fear and to get you up and running.

As you move through life, your needs, goals, and interests can change. If you’ve lost your spark for your current career, you may decide that it’s time for a major change in occupation. While this can be a scary process, following these tips and guidelines can help you make a career change successfully and more easily.Review Your Current Career

First off, you may want to decide if it’s your career or your job that needs changing. If you find that your company or industry holds promise, you may want to consider if there is another position within the company that would be more compatible with your job skills and interests. Don’t be afraid to talk to your boss and to ask around in your company about other available positions. Employers have an investment in their employees, and an employee that expresses the need for growth and more responsibility can be considered an asset.List Your Skills and Aptitudes

Take inventory of your strengths and weaknesses before making a change. Your list of attributes should consider not only what you think you do well, but also where you have received your accolades in and outside of work. Also, be honest with your list of “needs to improve.”Assess Your Interests

You should also write down what you enjoy doing in your spare time. Is there any way you can take a hobby and make a career out of it? If you find this process difficult, you can use career assessment tests online or at a college or university. These tests analyze your personality traits, skills, and interests. Some excellent assessment tests include the Meyers-Briggs (personality assessment), the Jackson Vocational Interest Survey (interests), and the Strength Finders Profile (skills and aptitude).Finding Inspiration

Many successful career changers will tell you they took their passion and turned it into a career. A great book for putting your interests and dreams to work for you is Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by Barbara Sher. This book will show you strategies for determining your interests and discovering your skills and strengths. It can also help you develop a game plan to achieve concrete results.Analyze Your Income and Savings

Making a career change can mean a change in income, especially if you’ve decided that you need more education or training. Before moving forward, sit down and analyze the time and money needed to get a degree or certificate in your new career. You need to decide if you’ll be able to continue your current job while attending school to fully determine your monetary situation.Do Your Homework!

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent way to learn about different careers and the income potential, expected growth, and training and educational requirements. Research your chosen field by going online, reading trade magazines and testimonials, and talking to those in and around the profession. Volunteer or take a temporary job in your new field of interest. Doing so will allow you the opportunity to decide whether or not your new career is a viable one for you.Take Your Time

Remember, be honest in your assessments and take time to research carefully. Career changes are a big deal, and we want yours to be successful. Time spent now in preparing for your new career will lend to your success and enjoyment of it later.