Making Career Decisions

Things to consider when changing career

Changing Career? - Things to consider
* Your motives, why are you changing career and is it for the right reasons?
* The length of time it will take to re-train (if this is needed). Be realistic and honest with yourself, will you stick at it?
* The commitment and discipline it will require.
* The cost involved: this may be the direct cost of the course itself or the money you will lose through not working if this is what you have to do. (There are different forms of financial help available however so make sure you have considered these before coming to a decision)
* The effect on relationships - will your family support you through this?
* Research the local labour market. You do not want to invest your time and money-changing career if at the end of it there are no jobs available locally. If you are prepared to travel or relocate this obviously broadens your career choices but it would still be wise to research all aspects of your career idea such as: pay and conditions, job security, job satisfaction, prospects, physical demands, likely work times - shifts weekends etc.
* A good idea is to look at where you are now and where you want to be. Then list all the points that you need to consider separately positive and negative then from the above and see if the end result is justified (a kind of profit and loss idea). For example if you are undertaking some training to improve your salary you may be able to do a financial calculation. This gets more complicated when you are changing career for improved job satisfaction - you will have to weigh up other factors, will the sacrifice be worth it.
* Any good careers adviser will not only give you the information that you need to help you to reach decisions about your career, they will also talk to you about any of the above issues/points and support you through the action that you decide to take.