| What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up? Making a Midlife Career Change |
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Colleen writes "by Colleen Langenfeld
Copyright (c) 2004
Well? What do you want to be when you grow up?
If you know you want (and need) to make a career change
but don't know where to begin, here are some suggestions
to get you started.
- Consider your childhood.
Childhood fun is often a good indication of strong
interests and innate talents. Think about the games you
played, both alone or with others. The hobbies that
fascinated you. And don't forget to consider the
activities that looked like a blast but you didn't get to
participate in. Ask siblings and parents for added insight.
- Include your personal history.
Write down every skill you have learned in every job
you've ever had (paid and unpaid). Add everything you
liked and disliked about each job and why. Be thorough.
Ponder your answers and you'll discover much about the
career direction/s that would work best for you.
- Ask for help.
Interview your friends and family; what do they think
are your strengths? Ask as many people as possible (make
sure they are close enough to give you accurate answers)
and add this information to your work history above.
- Watch others.
Start observing people who are in career fields that look
appealing to you. Why are you attracted to these careers?
Match up this information with what you've already learned
about yourself. Invite a few of these people to lunch and
ask them to tell you about their careers. Listen carefully
to what they enjoy and what it takes to be successful in
that particular field.
- Still stuck?
Take a professional career assessment. An objective
perspective can be quite helpful. Coupled with the data
you've already gathered, sometimes an assessment can be
the reassurance you need to move forward in a specific
direction.
- Move ahead.
Take a night class or two in your new chosen field to test
the waters for yourself. Being with other like-minded
people will either pump you up or make you want to find
the door.
- Current responsibilities.
Consider how your potential career fits in with your
family situation. Look at things like working hours
(part time/full time, day or night), education
requirements, etc. Will this career move mesh with mutual
goals with your spouse?
- Now what?
Is something stopping you from doing what you really want,
what you believe is best for you and your family? For
example, are you nervous about going back to school? Sign
up for just one class to get back in the groove. No money
to move ahead? Examine your budget and give up one thing
for your future. Put that money aside and use it to get
started, whether it's paying for a sitter while you go to
class or that career assessment we talked about above.
The bottom line? Just get started. Do it for YOU, as well
as those you love. You are the best investment you can
make in your own life. Take one step forward today and
begin to discover the life waiting for you!
Colleen Langenfeld delivers useful tips and creative
resources to working moms who want the best for their
families and careers at http://www.paintedgold.com .
Sign up for our free newsletter and receive an online
Creativity Toolkit as our gift to you!
"
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Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2005 @ 22:06:09 CDT by go_blue
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