Finding the Right Career Change
- 1). Determine your likes and dislikes. According to Quint Careers, an organization that provides career tools, most people change careers because they don't like their job. Make a list of what you don't like about your current job. Also, create a list of what you enjoy about your current job. This will help you evaluate what you're looking for in a new career.
- 2). Brainstorm potential careers. Based on your likes and dislikes, make a list of possible career choices. For example, if you enjoy working with people and the outdoors, think about occupations that bring together these two passions. Once you have a few potential careers, determine if these careers include any items from your "dislikes" list.
- 3). Research potential careers. Once you've narrowed career choices to a few options, research the top choices. Target a local professional to learn more about the career. For example, if you're interested in accounting, interview an accountant to learn about daily tasks and job satisfaction. If you're interested in education requirements and salary, this information can be found with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (see Resources). Salary.com (see Resources) is another good tool for finding salary information. If the position requires additional training, talking with a local college counselor can be helpful.
- 4). Secure the necessary education. If your new career requires additional education, investigate programs and courses in your area. Quint Careers recommends starting out slowly. Instead of quitting your current job, consider taking a couple courses to test the waters.
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