| Changing careers can be exciting and frightening at | | | | some training. This can be in the form of online |
| the same time. Those who are in need of a job due | | | | classes, community college classes, or computer |
| to workforce reduction will be anxious and fearful, | | | | based training on DVD, if you're comfortable as an |
| but there are still career choices out there. In today's | | | | independent learner. |
| economy, it won't be easy to find another job. Some | | | | Question #2: |
| will need to acquire new skills, while others may have | | | | Do you feel that your present career is a dud? You |
| to adapt their present skill set to fit into another area | | | | may want to consider a different route - a new |
| of work. | | | | start. Some of the new careers in technology or |
| One thing to remember is that we all have skills, | | | | health care only require a two year commitment. |
| some gained from present and past jobs, and some | | | | Certificates are usually offered for these careers. |
| from daily life activities and even personal hobbies. | | | | If you feel a need to enhance your education, |
| It's the harnessing of these skills, or better said, the | | | | community colleges offer associate's degrees, online |
| "re-shaping" of these skills, that will help you to move | | | | and on campus. Bachelor and Master's degrees can |
| on to a new job or career. | | | | be found online through several universities. |
| "Change is good" - that's what we all hear. It certainly | | | | Question #3: |
| can be. There are many opportunities for the job | | | | Can I afford all this new training? Yes - you can. If |
| transitioner. So many schools today offer online | | | | you're out of work, financial aid is available for most |
| classes and degrees, that learning the latest skills for | | | | all college courses. If your income is too high, you can |
| a new career have been made as easy as clicking | | | | get a low interest loan at many banks, which you |
| the button on your mouse. There are also several | | | | don't have to start repaying until you finish your |
| free career assessment tests online to lead you in | | | | schooling. |
| the right direction. | | | | Online, computer based training, is very affordable. |
| There are a few questions you need to ask yourself | | | | This is a way to learn hundreds of computer courses |
| before moving on: | | | | on your own, including all of the Microsoft Office |
| | | | modules, all of the web design programs like those in |
| 1. Is it new training you need, or re-shaping your | | | | the Adobe Suites, and many certification skills for |
| current skills? | | | | information technology. Keep in mind that many |
| 2. Will you need to obtain a new degree or | | | | companies require at least a two year degree in |
| certificate, or will some classes do the trick? | | | | these areas, as well as particular knowledge in a |
| 3. If you need to return to school for a new degree, | | | | specific application area. |
| will you be able to afford it? | | | | Question #4: |
| 4. What about schedules? Can I go to school and still | | | | As you've gathered by now, scheduling is the easiest |
| do what I need to do at home? | | | | part, since almost all education and training today is |
| So many options are available today that it may be | | | | available at your fingertips. Even on campus classes |
| hard to decide which option is right for your situation | | | | are offered during the day, nights, and weekends. |
| and place in life. Let's get started addressing these | | | | No - It's not easy to turn yourself around. But, I did |
| questions: | | | | it, and you can too. For those of you in mid-career, it |
| Question #1: | | | | can take anywhere from a year to four or five |
| Are your present skills marketable? If so, you may | | | | years, to get yourself going in a new direction. My |
| only need to put them in the right context on your | | | | brother was 44 years old when he decided to leave |
| resume to sit for a new job interview. If your | | | | a dead-end job in service management. Two years |
| resume needs to be redone, there are many | | | | later and he's now a certified Radiologic Technician, |
| resources on the internet to help you with that | | | | with job offers he can't keep up with. |
| process. Transferring skills from one type of job to | | | | If you're older, then you probably have many of the |
| another really isn't that difficult. | | | | skills necessary to transfer to another job if you just |
| However, if you lack some of the more technological | | | | learn some new computing skills. Your resume can be |
| skills needed in today's workplace, you'll need to take | | | | tweaked to show you in the best light. |