By Myrtis Smith
Reprinted: 2003-10-25

Changing careers can be a scary thing. A variety of unknowns can creep into the career transition process. How will you know if you like it? What if you have to go back to school? What is the future outlook for the field that interests you? Like with any other endeavor, the best way to handle the inevitable fear that will appear is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. The 5 steps outlined below are designed to help you prepare for your new career change and make an informed decision.

1. Volunteer. This is a great way to "try it before you buy it." Are you interested in opening a daycare? Volunteer in the children’s area of your church. Are you interested in desktop publishing? Volunteer to create the newsletter for your professional organization. There are many not-for-profit and community services organizations that would love your assistance. As a bonus, oftentimes there is an experienced staff member that you can learn from and ask questions.

2. Research the field. The Internet and the library are great resources for getting more information about your potential new field, but you can easily take it a step further. Ask your friends and family if they know anyone in the field and then interview that individual. Learn what things attracted that person to the field, what a typical day is like, and what things they dislike about the field. Find 3 - 4 people to talk with in order to get a variety of opinions. If you are having trouble locating a person to talk to, remember almost every field has a professional organization associated with it. Use the Internet to locate a chapter for that organization in your city.

3. Maintain a support network. During your time of transition, it is crucial that you are getting all the love and support you can find. Ideally this should be coming from your friends and family. But if you find those closest to you aren’t as supportive as you need then it may be time to hire a coach, find a mentor, or join a professional organization.

4. Be realistic. Changing careers sometimes means starting over. Be prepared to entertain pursuing another degree or taking an entry-level job. It may take several years of "moving up the ladder" before you are able to secure the position you want. Being realistic in the beginning will help you stay focused on your long-term goal.

5. Reduce your spending. One truth about change is that it is unpredictable. While you still have the security of your current job, start to cut back on your spending and save more money. This will help prepare you for the transition (in case you take a pay cut or need to return to school) and will serve to alleviate the added pressure that financial strain can cause.

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