In This Feature
Discover Your New Dream Career
Do you wish you’d chosen a different career? Maybe you wanted to own a bed-and-breakfast or run a vineyard in South America. Or, perhaps you dreamed of becoming a chocolatier, a dog trainer, or a TV producer. It’s not too late to start over. Whatever your dream, there are ways of exploring the path not (yet) taken.
Getting Ready to Change
Professional coach Monty J. Sharp advises career changers to “begin with the “End” in mind. If you were writing your own eulogy, what would you most want people to remember about you and your life? Answering that basic question will give you a good idea about where you are now and where you want to go.”
The National Career Development Association explains the role of a professional career counselor and helps you find an advisor in your area.
Source: National Career Development Association
Before launching your new career, consider your skill set. If you’re interested in becoming a chef, a massage therapist, an acupuncturist, or simply want to learn how to network, plenty of continuing education courses can help. The American Association of Community Colleges’ community college finder lets you search by zip code to find the colleges nearest you. From there, simply do a search for continuing education courses or summer courses.
Source: American Association of Community Colleges
The National Association for Continuing Education provides resources for those looking for a career specifically in the medical and mental health fields.
If you would prefer to study and learn outside the classroom, visit The World Lecture Hall. This site, developed by the University of Texas at Austin, hosts a compilation of online courses and resources including syllabi and often lecture notes.
If you would prefer to study and learn outside the classroom, visit The World Lecture Hall. This site, developed by the University of Texas at Austin, hosts a compilation of online courses and resources including syllabi and often lecture notes.
Keeping the Dream Alive?
For those who’d rather be spectators in the game of life-swapping, the FX show “30 Days” began its third season on June 2. Not every show is about a new career, but each episode does explore a different style of living. One show tracks a football player’s month-long trial living in a wheelchair. Another episode shares a hunter’s experience living with PETA activists. Any episode could be a catalyst for a career change.
Source: 30 Days Official Web site (FX)
For a Change of Scene
Perhaps your job isn’t the problem, it’s just that irrepressible wanderlust is nipping at your heels. Global advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi’s Australian office allowed its employees to trade equivalent positions in other offices around the world. If your company is as open-minded as this one, you could land the perfect compromise.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald
It may be that a compromise is the very last thing you seek. A lot of older workers suffer from burnout or a desire for change. Henry Stewart, 54, swapped his public-relations job to pursue a career as a chef. Stewart said, “I am betting the rest of my life on this. I'm doing what I always wanted to do."
According to the 2005 MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey reported in AARP Magazine, “57 percent of Americans between ages 50 and 70 say they want a job that gives them a greater sense of purpose.”
In addition to insights into the real lives of career changers, the AARP also presents broad suggestions in an article entitled, “10 Steps to Effective Career Change.”
According to the 2005 MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures New Face of Work Survey reported in AARP Magazine, “57 percent of Americans between ages 50 and 70 say they want a job that gives them a greater sense of purpose.”
In addition to insights into the real lives of career changers, the AARP also presents broad suggestions in an article entitled, “10 Steps to Effective Career Change.”
Source: AARP
A Brief Respite
Those seeking a solid but temporary break from their careers can enroll in Gap Year for Grown Ups. This UK-based company offers worldwide placements in volunteer, conservation and outreach projects as well as information and resources about career change.
Source: Gap Year for Grown Ups
Try One On for Size?
In 2001, Brian Kurth, after being laid off from his own job, traveled the country and asked people about their dream jobs. His company, Vocation Vacations, emerged from that trip. In this NPR interview Kurth explained the value of his company: “What you get out of it in two to three days is that test drive, that baby step … you don’t completely have the tool set to go out and make a career change … you need an action plan.” He explained that sometimes this means developing a business plan or going back to school. Equally helpful, you may discover that the job isn’t what you expected.
Vocation Vacations is not cheap. But for a fee, ranging from $400 to $3,000, you can test-drive your dream job. All you need to do is select from the list of professions, from alpaca rancher to flight instructor, and be matched with a mentor. In addition to providing career assessments, the company helps you, the “vocationer,” explore a new job for a few days without interfering with the job you already have: simply tell your boss you’re taking a few “vacation days.”
Source: Vocation Vacations
© 2012 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
