Back to School for a Career Change / Careers Employment Monster Add to favorites
More articlea about Careers Employment
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76

Back to School for a Career Change

Q. I hate my job as a computer consultant. I am ready for a career change. The aptitude tests say I should be a recreation specialist. I like the idea but I dread returning to school for a new degree.

A. Before you invest in a degree, try out the new career. A test drive will tell you more than any pencil-and-paper test. Find two or three people who are doing what you want to do and ask to spend a day or a week with them.

If you like what you see, visit a few schools or universities that offer degrees in your area of interest. Ask for names of people who have graduated one, three and five years ago.

Ask the alumni, "Did this degree help you get your job? Advance in your job?

"Would you have done better with a degree from another school? Or would you have done as well with a degree from a lower-ranked school?"

Don't stop until you have talked to six graduates -- maybe more.

Talk to students, not faculty. Professors must support their own programs, even when they want to say, "You can do better elsewhere," or, "This program is a waste of your time and money."

And these days, anyone with a title like "Admissions Director" or "Enrollment Management" may be trying to make a sale, not offer objective guidance.

Investigate several options.

You may find an equally satisfying career that offers on-the-job training. You may find an educational program that takes less time or comes with a stipend.

No degree program offers a magic bullet.

Ultimately you may win the job and career success by your power networking as well as you social, interpersonal and technical skills. There are many paths to career fulfillment, not just one.

I offer one-to-one consultations on career strategy.

From Back to School: A midlife career guide

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294


The Computer-Friendly Resume How to Make Money as a Reflexologist

Most Popular:

Related articles:

How to Pick the Best Career for You: Part 3
You'll differentiate yourself from your competition by using the right vehicle to uncover the best career for you. You'll need this same laser-beamed approach to pinpoint the right career.
The #1 Job Search Mistake To Avoid: Not Preparing Your Mind!
Eliminate this bad practice and you'll be rewarded with positive outcomes - not only in your job search - but also in every other aspect of living. Recharging your batteries will result in benefits not only during your job search - but also for the longer term on a personal level.
A Day in the Life of a Freelance Copywriter
For a freelance copywriter, there are a number of important factors influencing quoting. 3) Chasing reviewsThe freelance copywriter is almost never the bottleneck in a copywriting job.
College Labor is Available in Ohio
The labor market in Ohio is a gold mind of opportunity for large, medium and small businesses. We found this to be the case at the Mocha House in town a local hang-out around the corner from downtown and Delphi and GM plant.
Telephone Phobia: Make the Phone Your Job Search Friend
You will sound more engaging and interesting and you should find that your telephone phobia is soon a thing of the past. Telephone phobia is very common even amongst the most experienced and outgoing people.
The Top 10 Mistakes Job Seekers Should Avoid In Contacting An Employer
Don't call the employer and ask them to tell you more about the job before submitting your resume. There are numerous tools and resources available to guide job seekers through the steps of a career transition.
Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm
Our search firm, FGP International (Find Great People) has been building its own proprietary database of candidates and contacts for nearly 22 years. Once you begin working with a search firm, ask yourself these questions.
Unemployment Blues: Staying Afloat
The unemployment checks are running out and there is no potential job in sight. Here are five tips to keep you afloat.
Hot Business Trends for 2004? And Beyond: Maybe One Will Turn Into a Creative Business Idea for You
So I've decided to focus on the markets, trends, and businesses that speak to someone operating on a somewhat more limited budget. Not surprisingly, products and services for women in their 40s and 50s that center around anti-aging and menopause are hot.
Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search
A RED BALL is a symbol of what you can do and want, especially in a job search. May I explain what about what a red ball means to me and how I counsel others as a career coach.
More articlea about Careers Employment
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76
© copyright Careers Employment Monster Link Partners