Jennifer Said:

How did you decide on a career change?

We Answered:

I went through five majors in undergraduate school before settling on one, then started a PhD program in science. After a couple of years, I knew it wasn't right for me - while I loved the theory, I just did not like the deep focus and perfection that had to go into each and every experiment.

I stopped with a MS and worked in a lab for a year while considering my options.

I decided to take the plunge to get an MBA, because I discovered the wide variety of careers that you could pursue with such a degree.

After that two years, I started a new career that felt right - in Finance. I was able to draw on my analytical skills in a different light. However, a couple of years into that, I realized a couple of things: I'd hit a dead end with what I could learn, and would only move up by diving deeper instead of more broadly - and, more importantly, that I crave variety and breadth of projects with continuous learning opportunities to be happy with my job.

I was lucky to find a different position in the same company (kept the stock options, didn't have to move, etc) that gave me what I needed, and I've been happy here for five years now.

I think we all know when we're not getting what we need from our career choice. It just takes some self-assessment and the resources (mine came in the form of student laons for my business degree) to do what you need to do to change.

Joel Said:

Im 26 and want a career change, how do I become a primary school teacher?

We Answered:

ummm... you can take online courses in the subject you wish to teach,and you can take night classes for a BS in teaching. if you want to be a principal, a degree in administration is required...

Clifton Said:

Am I too old to go back to college to change my career path?

We Answered:

Being here means you want to learn something new and probably already have. U obviously are not too old to question anything, so why stop there.

i'm the same age; worked in advertising (10+yrs) now i'm an accountant with a taxi company - go figure!

Micheal Said:

How a single mom can make a career change?

We Answered:

I agree with other post don't quit your day jb until you can aford to.

But, Here's what I did... I started selling Products from Home. Home Interior first and it was a slow start so I stopped. Then I got an idea...what sells fast? SEX. So I started selling adult novelties and gifts through home parties. Oh course you have to me 18 or older to attend , host or sell these items. My typical party is $500 to $1000 a night. so with 40% commission and company paid incentives and freebies to my customers that's $200-$400 a night. Its all in what you put into it. Sell it full time earn more.. part time less. But I have FUN at what I do and work when I want to. I even paid $0 for my kit to start. This is also something you can do in Germany. With 50% commission for overseas consultants.
This isn't a sales gimmick just I believe this is the right fit for me. I wanted to contributed to my family without sacrificing my family time... You need to find the right fit for you and go for it.

We also started renting Hot Tubs for parties private and other wise. I have really enjoyed that too. These to projects seem to compliment each other.



Check out my profile for links to what I do.

Mabel Said:

What can you do for a career change if you are 48 and have been driving a bus for the past 15 years?

We Answered:

Nursing might be an option. I'm always hearing there's a shortage of health care workers.

Elsie Said:

What's the best way to make a career change?

We Answered:

By the sounds of it, any further education would be out of the question, so you need to take a look at what kinds of entry-level positions are available. Are you willing to relocate? That will increase your chances. Sometimes it's more important to just get working right away without worrying about it becoming your new "career". The longer you stay out of the job market, the less employable you become.

So "the best way to make a career change" is to just start working at the best job you can find right now, while you spend some time thinking about your passion. What do you really want to do in life? If money was not an object, what would you do with your time? Is there some job that could incorporate your passion? Are you willing to start at the bottom for the opportunity to do what you really love later on?

Perry Said:

How to finance a career change to Graphic Design?

We Answered:

I admire your decision to leave a job that makes you unhappy and go into Graphic Design.

You have several advantages:
a. You already aa Bachelor's degree (more on that later)
b. You are in New York City.

Here's what I recommend for you:

Start with a very low-cost option. Sign up for the online tutorials at www.Lynda.com. They have excellent on line instruction for all the major Graphics software applications. Don't equate this with "tutorial books." Lynda.com has excellent classroom teachers... they are simply brought to you online instead of your having to go to class. And, they are sample projects that you can download and work on at your own pace. (Don't knock this until you have tried it. They have many free (beginning) modules for all their programs. And it's quite reasonable.. something like $25 per month for anything and everything they offer... Check it out.) This is as close as you can get to actual classroom work without being there... for a small fraction of the cost.

Once you are doing that, use your skills to begin creating real graphic projects for actual businesses. How to do that? Use your friends as contacts. Start by doing work FREE for small businesses. Do good work, then little by little, work up so that you're getting paid. (You don't have to leave your day job yet, and you don't have any sizable cost of education.)

Next, use the money from your first jobs to pay for Graphic Design seminars and short-term classes. (Here's where being in NYC will be a huge help. There are lots of classes out there. Ask your friends in the design world which are best.)

As your work becomes more professional, put it up on your own web site. Use that site to show potential clients (or an employer) your work.

You will find it very helpful to see examples of outstanding work in the Graphic Design field. There are some very good annuals, such as the New York Art Directors Club annual, The One Show, The Creativity Annual, and books by Carter, Big Book of Design Ideas, Big Book of Logos, etc. You don't need to pay full price for those. Most are available used at www.addall.com.

And, you already have a Bachelor's degree. To potential employers, that is a key to getting in the door. They don't care that it is NOT in graphic design. What they do care about is the quality of your work. If you follow these steps, you can improve your work to the professional level.

Good luck.