Matthew Said:

Career Change?

We Answered:

Could you take your passion and skills and turn them into a lucrative business? If you have a market that wants your ideas, you should go for it!

I decided to own an on-line travel agency with a really great company. the huge shift of people booking travel on-line and the fact that one baby boomer is retiring every 8 seconds was enough to show me that there is a market for my services. My prices are VERY competitive with the other on line booking sites (often cheaper) and its not hard directing traffic to my site (hand out business cards, flyers, on-line ads, lettering on my van...). I love what I do!

One of the key things is finding something that you love! Good Luck!

Diana Said:

how fair will it be to change one's career to teaching after working as govt. service professional for 30yrs ?

We Answered:

Depends I think you would have better luck with older high school or college kids rather than jhs or elementary but its still going to be a difficult transition since you worked in the govt so im guesiing you have a unique personality trust me i know im a senior in high school and some kids can act very immature you are gonna need alot of patients don't hurt anybody^_^ it gets frustrating sometimes.

-One way 99% of the time this works and that is to show the kids you mean buisness from day 1 to the end of the school year and kids like cool teachers who are layed back and give kids respect and jokes around every once in a while also tell alot of your life expierences to keep the class upbeat and fun, im sure this formula will work and you will enjoy your job.

I seen all kinds of teachers throught my life the ones who fail to reach out to their students and teachers who make learning simply fun and from what i've seen all kids like that type of teacher that i just talked about.

Good Luck if you do take the teaching path you'll need it ^_^

Terri Said:

making a career change to teaching?

We Answered:

Take the CBEST test and get on a list to substitute teach from the Los Angeles School Unified School District (LAUSD) you can get your hours by substituting before you enter the credential program. Since you have a degree in art you can get a credential to teach secondary school. As far as getting your unemployment you have to consult the unemployment office to see what are the latest regulations concerning your case.

Margie Said:

How to change careers after investing 4 years in a career you do not want anymore? How to start over?

We Answered:

I didn't even know you could have a general studies major. Must have been a lot of Socrates and basket weaving.

Anyway, if you like helping people, have you thought about health care? A lot of that pays decent and many require just associate degrees. Be careful, though, a lot of these programs pump out more grads than there are jobs. The last thing you need is more student debt that is hard to pay off. Do A LOT of research. And don't go anywhere called a "career college" or that is advertised in a mall or on local stations during the daytime. They'll overcharge you to learn to do a career that pays what you are making now. If it offers training as an administrative assistant, it's a scam.

If you like to help people, you might also find a nonprofit or business you believe in that needs sales people or fundraisers. I don't know how you feel about commission, but there's more of a chance to make money. But you have to be persuasive, love being around people a lot and willing to work longer, odd hours. A lot of pure "do gooder" jobs are low paid nonprofit outfits.

Otherwise, go to your local workforce center and try to speak to a counselor there. They can probably come up with things I wouldn't have thought of. Libraries will also have a lot of books with personality and aptitude tests that can tell you what you would be good at and list salaries. Also Google the Occupational Outlook Handbook. That will tell you everything you need to know about any job out there.

Sad we live in a world where having a job isn't enough to pay bills. It has to be just the right type of job.

I hope I gave you some things to think about.