Lee Said:

How to change career from support to programming?

We Answered:

Details? Being a programmer is not really for everyone.. I for one wanted to exclude that from my list of 'to be' but is seems i'll have to do it because I like it and i'm very interested in this.

Do you know C, C++ .. hmm Scripting languages? Depends on what you want to program... You could also apply for a job at Microsoft if low-level development is one of your interests :D.

Jorge Said:

I'm thinking of a career change, what do you think about becoming a science teacher?

We Answered:

Teaching science is harder than it looks and it does not pay as well as other more science related occupations. You are stressed out now with your current job and looking for something less stressful. Teaching has its own form of stress that is nothing like you've ever seen. The work load and marking, planning and reporting and everything that is necessary to do the job well is very stressful in itself. That is not even taking into consideration the variety of students and learning styles that attend each day. Don't get me wrong. It is very satisfying and rewarding when you are a teacher.

I agree that you should volunteer in a classroom and watch the daily work of a teacher before you jump into the water. Watch the kids and ask yourself, "could I do this every day?"

Just my thought.

Jeanette Said:

What kinds of jobs are a good start for someone making a career change from social work to business/MBA? ?

We Answered:

look toward the banking industry!!!

Leo Said:

What is the best way to approach a career change?

We Answered:

Try doing a skills assessment test to determine strenths in other areas. These tests are offered for free at workforce centers, unemployment offices, and even on line

Oscar Said:

When in the foreign service can one change career cones throughout his career?

We Answered:

It's my understanding you must stay with your cone your entire career. However, there's some good news: You need not always "bid" on posts for your particular cone. Indeed ALL junior FSOs must serve at least one consular cone post in their first two (due to shortages). Also, if it's early enough, i.e., you passed the exams in one cone but haven't started, you can simply take it all again (simply, yeah!) for another cone and qualify for that one. Bottom line: Pick the right cone first and afterward, there's still a little flexibility.

Bill Said:

Why is one of my friends from undergrad having such a hard time accepting my career change?

We Answered:

Having been an art major in college, I decided I wanted to eat food ... it was just too necessary to me. One of the prime taboos of the art world is selling out your art. You know, giving in to the demands of the masses, selling the artistic soul by caving in to change your art for mass appeal, or even working in a mass appeal way. In this regard, your friend may worry that your artistic soul is being sold.

You cannot be a full time artist and eat regularly, unless you are one of the very few lucky ones. You need to pay bills, maybe even buy a home, furnish it, get a white picket fence, and maybe even -hark! - buy a Toyota.

You just need to explain how much it bothers you (might even hurt) to not have that stability you crave. You are not selling yourself out, you are merely trying to make it in a world that unreasonably revolves around money, which art can't guarantee. Let her know you won't lose that soul ... tell her something you are working on now (not that you have that much time considering yoru schedule) and how much you enjoy it. But don't even take a breath as you tell her your bank balance, and how much that allows you to sleep well at night.

Good luck -- I've been there. Now, I decorate my house artfully, I dabble in landscape design, and I buy art from starving artists myself whose work I admire. My soul has never been sold, but art is relegated to my passion, my burning fire.

Alma Said:

How does career change and grad school works?

We Answered:

depends on what kind of work you want to be and what kind of degree you already have. the answer is not as simple as "just get a master's degree".