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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
Other Articles in This Category: What Recruiters Hate About Resumes And Cover Letters5 Things Every New Caterer Should Know 10 Major Signs of Job Dissatisfaction 10 Ways to Speed-Up Your Job Search Effort Have You Given Up On Yourself? Is a Career Change on Your Horizon? Overcome Interview Nerves: Be Better Prepared than Your Interviewer Learning a Foreign Language Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response The Top Ten Ways to Jump Start Your Career Unlimit Your Life! Everyone Should Have a RED BALL in the Job Search How To Win the Job-Hunting Game Avoid Mistakes and Gaffes in Your Job Resume Behaviour To Climb The Stepping Stones To Career Success Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers? Career Change - Creating Wealth & Happiness Resume Writing - Get That Job Ten Careers For High School Seniors Who Hate School Discover What You Really Want To Do |
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