Today's Officer - Winter 2007 - (Page 31) HOME FRONT by Janet Farley If your job seems more like a chore than a career, it might be the right time to explore your options and try something new. Time to Change Careers? YOU DREAD GOING TO WORK. You feel like you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t provide the level of challenge, satisfaction, or anticipation you crave — your chosen career path just isn’t doing it for you anymore. If this sounds familiar, then it might be time to consider switching careers. But before you quit your day job … Do your homework. The more research you do, the better equipped you are to make informed and educated decisions that could have lasting effects on you and your family. Accept that changing careers is a process and not a single event that magically will correct itself overnight. It takes time to make a successful transition, and it takes a certain degree of RESEARCH to make it all happen. Review your rationale. Are you truly seeking a change of career? A simple change of responsibilities within the same job or with the same employer might be enough. Or maybe you just need to take a few days off and physically and mentally remove yourself from your job. Making a career change will be easier once you sort through all the mental traffic prodding you in the direction of change in the first place. Educate yourself. Knowing you want to change your career and knowing which new career you want are entirely different. If you’re not certain about the latter, the U.S. Department of Labor might be of assistance to you. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://stats.bls.gov/oco) and the Career Guide to Industries (www.bls.gov/oco/cg) provide in-depth information such as job descriptions, qualifications, working conditions, an earnings outlook, and sources of additional information. Another resource is careers.org (www.careers.org), where you will find similar information, along with links to employers. But maybe you’re not sure what field you want to target. Consider taking an interest inventory. Reputable ones are available through your post or base education center. You also can take a few online such as the Princeton Review Career Quiz (www.princ etonreview.com/cte/quiz) and the Keirsey Temperament Sorter-II (www.keirsey.com). The counselors at your installation’s education center also can assist you in this area. Use them. They’re free, and they like the business! Seek a mentor. This should be someone who can provide you with unbiased advice and guidance. A mentor is an invaluable PHOTO: PATRICIA SIGERIST asset who speaks with the voice of experience. You can tap into their professional network and expand your own base exponentially. A mentor can steer you in the right direction or offer you an objective perspective on the options available to you. If you don’t have someone that fits that bill, start your auditions immediately. Evaluate the feasibility of your potential choices. As you plan your career change, you will face obstacles. As a military spouse, you should be well-acquainted with those by now! You can handle them the same way in your new quest as you currently do at home. For example, you have decided you want to become a lawyer, but the closest law school is several hours away. You don’t simply drop your dream, but work with what you can accomplish from where you are. Have you studied and taken your entrance exams? Can you knock out some basic coursework locally? Distance education is a growing and respectable option as well. Focus on what you realistically can accomplish. If your evaluation shows your plan is unreasonable, then adjust from there. Apply yourself to a course of action. In the end, the best-laid plans remain just plans if they are not implemented. Break down the tasks necessary to make your career change, and prioritize them. Pencil them in your calendar, and begin the actual job of changing jobs. Hold yourself accountable. Remain flexible. You can be certain everything won’t fall into place exactly as you imagine it will. As a military spouse, you no doubt have been flexible enough in your life to make Gumby untangle and take notice. Use that same talent for your own benefit in this area. Commit to the change. Change isn’t easy, but it’s inevitable. If you truly desire a career change, you must commit to making it happen. This means also realizing your change will affect not only you but also your spouse and family. Communication with your family is vital throughout your career, particularly when you are taking major steps to change it. Have faith in yourself. Only you can know whether a career change is right for you. If you logically have thought through the process, then don’t let your future professional satisfaction and happiness wait another minute. You can do it. Go for it! Janet Farley is author of Jobs and the Military Spouse (Impact Publications, 2004) and The Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Guide (Jist, 2004). She also writes a career advice column for the Stars and Stripes newspapers. Winter 2007/08 TODAY’S OFFICER 31 http://stats.bls.gov/oco http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg http://www.careers.org http://www.careers.org http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz http://www.princetonreview.com/cte/quiz http://www.keirsey.com
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