Five Myth Busters of Changing Careers - Breaking Free to Reach Your Dreams

Aside from the statistics about the sheer number of careers across our lifetimes in 2009, there are a multitude of new perspectives on career planning, and career options. Was it an option to be a network engineer in a small office when you were a youngster? How about a nanotechnology researcher? Had you ever heard of international micro-loans? These are a few illustrations of newer trends in occupations and career path options.

Even if you are not changing careers this month or this year, you will still need to adapt to changing job demands and responsibilities. Moreover, you likely know someone who will be helped by this informative and freeing approach. Let's break down the threats of the Changing Career Myths together. Read, consider strategies and options for your future, and share this timely information with your friends and family.

1. Career Bondage: You have to pick one career and stick with it. I did not realize anyone still believed this until I started polling high school seniors and college students. Sure enough, these young adults are convinced that their career choice is an irreversible decision. What pressure they experience in Career Bondage. When people look at the statistics and realize they will likely have several careers across their lifetime, it is a liberating experience. Suddenly they are free to step into the first opportunity. Phew! I have seen this excruciatingly long awaited step happen to 17 year olds and 55 year olds. They have similar issues despite being at very different life stages of course. The freedom to step into your future is always a good thing.

2. Closed Doors: Many careers are closed doors for me because I don't have the correct academic degree. You know I have to use the example of Thomas Edison here, correct? He did not have a college degree and look at the influence he had on our world! It is innovation, dedication and inspiration which make a significant difference in many situations. Today, USA culture expects not only a high school diploma, but also a college degree for professional careers. However, once you have tagged that base, you have a multitude of options available to you. Most careers have entry level positions; consider that as you gain more experience and work up further in the organization and industry it may become even better paid and more exciting.

3. FULL TILT, or not at all: If you are going to switch careers you have to go into it full tilt, or not at all. Indeed, a much more successful approach is to try out your new career as a part-time position while you maintain your current career. If you really enjoy it and find it profitable, determine the best strategy for additional training and career opportunities. Another strategy is that if you are thinking of starting your own business, use the same strategy and research the details, plan your ramp-up to test the waters while you continue your full-time work. This approach often works for consulting services, mail-order, web-based fulfillments, and other home based businesses which can fulfill the needs for products or services during nontraditional work hours. Just be sure your full-time work does not suffer at the feet of your new career exploration. The references and relationships you have now will allows follow you and it is much more advantageous if they are always positive.

4. The Lone Ranger Rides Again: Nobody can help you with your career; you have to go it alone. From the country of the ostensibly self-made person, this myth seems to have become a Golden Rule. Truth be told, it is a Golden Failure when followed.The most successful people realize that they cannot know or do everything themselves and instead surround themselves with sharp, supportive advisers, coaches, and assistants. Use recommendations from colleagues, friends or research people who can assist you. Whichever avenue, be sure to run, not walk, as you begin creating a crackerjack support team. Critical members for this network include a financial adviser, career coach/adviser, proofreader (for cover letters and correspondence), and a lawyer (to review employment contracts, agreements, etc).

5. It's a Matter of Luck. Successful careers are a matter of luck, you have to wait for the right door to open. Upon closer examination,it seems that many people who espouse this myth are not very successful. Successful people have shed too much sweat in their efforts and know better. Early in my 2nd career, I thought I was experiencing a lot of luck; however, when I said this to my supervisor, he said, "You create your luck, Kathy. I watch you do it." I am often reminded of this comment because I find it natural to scan the environment for trends, look for opportunities and seek ways to move ahead. Moreover, I take initiative: I love what I do; therefore, I keep wanting to learn more about it! To the outsider it might look like I am working really hard to create luck. I think it is much simpler. The key to creating successful career opportunities may be initiative.

Whatever your current situation, consider how you can destroy the myths which are holding you back. Reevaluate them, gather new information and slay them one, by one. Where are there opportunities to move ahead? What would you like to be doing for work and recreation in 5, 7 or 10 years? What do you need to do to reach those dreams? Gather your support team and ride on into the world of career change and freedom!

Written by
Dr. Kathleen P. King (EdD)

Certified professional coach, Award-winning author, Professional speaker, Professor of Education Transformation Education, CEO

Transformation Education LLC:Helping Professionals Reach Their Dreams - http://www.TransformationEd.com

About Dr. King
Dr. King is a dynamic, interactive keynoter, and accomplished author who invigorates and empowers audiences on a variety of topics. She specializes in guiding professionals in dynamic and rewarding professional journeys: from coping with changes in the workplace, developing leadership, speaking, writing and time management skills, to navigating organizational demands, meeting the needs of 21st century learners, designing and facilitating distance learning, and "Helping Professionals Reach Their Dreams."

Contact Kathy to discuss availability for in-person and virtual speaking engagements, personalized mentoring/coaching services and educational consulting services.

About TELLC Transformation Education LLC is an educational service organization providing keynotes, seminars, training and faculty development, mentoring, and coaching for groups and individuals. Building upon our extensive experience and success in professional settings, since 1992 we have served a global, but always personal client base. Our primary concern remains to bring the highest quality of work and attention to professionals' learning needs. How? We provide cutting-edge, relevant, and critical support for mastering lifelong professional learning in a virtual age!

Career Test - Guide Towards The Fulfillment Of Dreams

Choosing a career is hard.  You have to choose the one which you think is best for you, the one which you think will help you in the future and the one which you really like.  There are some individuals who choose a career because it is what their parents want or because it is what their friends are also taking.  This method should be discouraged because it is you who should be thinking of what is best for you.  It is you who will be working towards the fulfilment of your dreams and definitely not your parents and neither are your friends.

There are different career tests that will help you and guide you when you are looking for a career.  The career test will determine what career is best and is suited for you.  It is usually based on your character, your traits and interests and your approach on work.  The tests may be difficult but they are intended that way so you will really know what career suits you.

You might find choosing a career as fun and exciting.  It is fun and exciting but you also need to look into the other side and that is taking it seriously.  If you are more on being caring, competent and soft hearted, the career that is best for you might be those which are related in the medical field. If you have the personality of being wise, makes firm decisions, uses critical and analytical thinking, then a business related career is best for you. You see, your traits and character will help you choose the right career.  

If you are already experiencing a dilemma on choosing the best career, the solution to this is simple.  Take a free career test.  As mentioned earlier, career tests will serve as your guide.  You can take this type of test in your local career test center.  They will help you with your needs.  You can also find a free career compatibility test in the internet.  There are already online centers which will also supervise you with your needs. 

The only key to finding the right career is through answering the questions sincerely.  No matter how hard it is, you just have to answer the questions based on what you have learned and based on what you think is right.  Whatever the result of the career test may be, it is still up to you what you will choose.  The results might not be what you have expected and if this happens, you can either take another test from other career test center.  You should also take note that not all centers offer a career test. There are some who will make you pay a small fee.  What you have paid will still be worth it since it is for your own good anyway.

You can also find free employment tests if you want to re-evaluate or re-examine your job choice.  This too will help you determine if you are still satisfied with the job that you have.  You will greatly benefit from the different tests.  Not only will they help you determine the best career for you, they will also help in determining whether you are on the right track of your career or job.

If you are having a difficulty from choosing a career, the different career test center will help you with your needs. You can take a free career compatibility test when you visit local test centers or perhaps online test centers. For more details, feel free to visit http://www.Free-Career-Test.org and gather as much information you need.

Career Transition Centers - How They Help You Realize Your Dreams

Do you always think that a different sort of work is better for you? Do you feel bored in your present career? Are you no longer interested in the job that you previously love to do? Or, perhaps, have you never liked it at all? Do you feel that you want a new career other than what you are presently doing? Are you in the verge of quiting your present job?

Did you answer "yes" to most of the problems above? Therefore, you are most likely in an episode of one's life some would call mid-career struggle. Probably, you are struggling to make a decision whether to stay or let go of your present job. Should you stay in your job or quit it? You are trying to weigh the pros and cons. However, there are times your way of thinking or your financial resources interfere in your decision-making. If the situation is like this then a career transition center can help you out.

What is a career transition center? If you still haven't heard about it, then here are some bits of information to introduce you to the entire idea of shifting careers. To help workers not just with the selection of a career or the search for a job but also to help workers and their families during the entire career transition process are the main purposes of a career transition center. You can approach a non-profit career transition center to help you go about switching jobs and changing careers.

A career transition center will aid you through the change as smoothly as possible whether you were fired, you quit your job, or are about to. If you need a new career, some centers will even help you go through training. They will provide assistance when searching for employment. Adult education and training programs are also available in these centers to further help you out.

If you plan to go through a career transition, always come prepared for a battle. Preparation is most essential during this period. When you prepare yourself, a career transition center will be of assistance not just in the physical and emotional aspect but in the financial aspect as well. To manage all the aspects that can be influenced by this change, careful planning will help you. Also, career positioning, right sizing or re-engineering are common in a number of careers. So, being prepared is very important to anticipate and accommodate such things.

A career transition center will supply you with the appropriate resources for available positions. In addition, counseling services, mentoring and mentoring forums, career organization, and career transitions seminars will also be given. They will also propel you to the right track with regard to getting a new job. Writing cover letters, resume building, and going through interviews are among the helps provided in some centers. If you need help and advice regarding your career, search the Internet now for a career transition center close to you.

Abhishek is a Career Counselor and he has got some great Career Planning Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 71 Pages Ebook, "Career Planning Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Career-Guru.com/769/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.