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Change feels ominous and often overwhelming. A career change is one of life's special challenges. What will I do? How can I transfer to another area of work? Will I like it? Will I do well? Will I have to take a pay cut? Will I have to go back to school? Where do I begin?

Change need not be dramatic

Sometimes a small shift into a different department or industry is sometimes enough. For instance, secretaries are needed in all fields, all settings, and in all corporate departments. You might look at other similar opportunities in other departments might fill the bill.

Look at how you can enhance your present job.

Can I enhance my skill set? Can I learn new roles or tasks? Do I have to re-think the job to make it more enjoyable?

Leaving a very narrow industry, going from homemaker to working outside the home; graduating and going to work--the dramatic stuff--might take time to sort out, but you can start with small steps while working on the larger picture.

How should you start?

• Do an inventory of your skills, both learned on the job, as well as those you use in your spare time.
• What skills do I enjoy using?
• What parts of your job give you the most satisfaction?
• What are your job motivators? Money? Independence? Helping others? Flexible schedule? Everyone has different and needs and wants.
• What are your specific requirements (we all have them)?

There are non-profit career centers and government programs that can assist you with a traditional career assessment for a nominal fee.

Local community colleges from DeAnza to Skyline College offer assessment classes for course units and for a very small fee. Normally, a battery of tests from the Strong to the Myers Briggs will be given. Such classes will assist you to look internally at your values, motivations, and strengths. You will then be given tips as to how to apply what you've learned to your job search.

10 Things You Can Do To Make Your Career Change a Reality

1. Look at the want ads. Watch for specific titles-and skills that they require to do those jobs. Mark down the jobs that spark your interest.
2. Attend job fairs. Talk to recruiters about what you can do and where you might fit. Are they any patterns?
3. Read the job descriptions on openings from private and public agencies to see if there's a fit, and what for recurrent themes that might help you find out what you want.
4. Talk to people in fields that interest you, whether it be human resources or marketing, or social service, or finance.
5. Attend association meetings. There is an association for everything from technical trainers to MIS managers to warehouse workers. That's where the action is!
6. Speak to heads of degree and/or certificate programs. Find out where are their graduates get hired and what they are doing.
7. Talk to instructors from Educational Resources (UC Extension, ROP, Extended Education from the State Universities, etc.). Normally, the instructors are well-connected.
8. Check out the Internet for Career Resources.
9. Join networking groups from Leads Clubs to Chambers of Commerce to support groups.
10. Read books! There are many good career books that are simple and direct, and some have excellent resources.

Helpful books include:

• "What Color is Your Parachute?" by Richard Bolles
• "Career Satisfaction and Success" by Bernard Haldane
• "Dare to Change Your Job and Your Life" by Carole Kanchier
• "Wishcraft" by Barbara Sher
  
  Remember: ANY journey begins with a single step--including a career change. Start by doing a self-assessment; do your homework; and then set your goals and time line to make your dream a reality!