Alternative Careers in Education

My first question to you would be why did you decided to leave teaching. When I work with clients who begin to search for new career opportunities, we try to determine if they are interested in "moving toward" or are merely "running from." Once that is clearly determined, we can move forward in the process.

So, let's assume you have done that and are interested in exploring other options. The process then includes a measure of self assessment. What are your skills, interests, values, needs. How willing are you to return to school or training or do you want to transfer your present skills? You can work through this all yourself or meet with a career counselor at a local agency.

So, let's assume you have determined you want to use present skills. I might suggest that you use your local library resources and internet to learn what skills are required in various jobs, or check out the Changing Careers section of the Career Coaching page .

Then you can see where you might fit, work on determining and describing your transferable skills and develop a job search strategy to make it all happen.

If you wanted to stay in the field of education, try our education links here on ChicagoJobs.org.

Becoming a Financial Analyst

No one can guarantee that anyone can find a job under any circumstances! But the best way to make decisions about career change is to do your homework prior to spending time and money for exams and additional training. One way people begin to explore a new career path is through informational interviewing and networking. Click on this article by Career Consultant Lola Lucas to learn more about informational interviewing and a series of articles on networking by Janet M. Shlaes, Ph.D. should be helpful to you.

You can also talk to people in an association for the industry to learn more about the possibilities. Check your local library for books on careers in finance.

Speak to people at local university career centers to learn more about the value of a finance degree. A counselor at a university can work with you to determine which of your credits transfer and what it would take to complete your degree. You might also meet with a career counselor at one of the fine local agencies to help you walk through this process.

I wish you great success. Sounds like you are very determined to make this happen!

Career Change to Human Resources

Making a career switch isn't quite as easy as adding up a column of numbers! You are on the right track by looking at transferable skills. That's a great place to start. . . I would first ask you why you want to leave your current position, what is propelling you toward a different direction?

The process of career change includes many steps - and may take some time as well as include a pay cut.

1. Self Assessment - Determining who you are, what you do well and where you want to go.
2. Exploration - Using your critical thinking and analysis skills to research the requirements of a desired position. There are many good websites that can help - among them the government site onetcenter.org. You may want to search salary websites to get a sense of the compensation in the desired field. Since you have something in mind, you can peruse job leads in that field to find out more information about the experience and educational requirements of the HR position you mentioned. You can also do some informational interviewing with people who currently work in the field (this is also a great way to develop contacts.)
3. Decision making - Is this where you want to go - what else to do you have to do to make this switch?
4. Training - do you need more training, certification, etc? Are you willing to take the time to do it?
5. Job Search and Targeting - Developing a resume and search strategy that is tailored toward the new position and field. If you are poised and ready to go down the new path - how will you represent yourself, how will you self market? Begin to develop contacts within that field through networking. You might begin by participating in association meetings and coursework that draws employees from organizations that you are targeting. Begin to read trade journals to educate yourself with the industry language.

Starting something new can be exciting and rewarding. I wish you great success.

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Changing Jobs. . .Right Now!

I have been working in different areas of the medical field on and off for the past 10 years. I have been diagnosed with arthritis of the knees which prevents me from standing for long periods of time. I would like to get a job in a new field but all of my experience and education is in the medical field which makes it difficult for me to find jobs in other fields. I am going back to school in the spring, but I need to find a job right now to provide for my family. What do you suggest?

Finding a job is often difficult and for each of us, we deal with our own variety of challenges. I commend you for seeking additional education. You do not indicate what kind of school you are returning to, how extensive the program is, etc.

It sounds like your question seeks advice on making a quick switch to something that will provide some income for your family - right now! There are many positions available within the medical field - administrative, supportive as well as technical. For you to find a suitable position quickly, it is important that you know your skills and only apply to jobs where you will be a fit. It is important to determine what transferable skills you have and have used in previous jobs that are needed in another area of medicine or are needed in other areas of the workplace. Since most of your experience is in the medical field, see that as a strength and take advantage of it.

If you were a lab tech, might you be able to obtain a position as a registrar or an administrative assistance on a floor. Might you transfer your skills to work in a doctor's office, if previously you've been in a hospital. The key is to use your background to make you more valuable to the employers.

You might also consider searching for a job in an area that will apply towards your school aspirations. I rarely recommend that anyone take a job without thinking about it being a stepping stone to something bigger and better.

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

I am a long time employee of the CTA. I would like to retire from CTA and begin a career with IDOT as a minuteman. Any assistance that you can provide me in reaching this goal, would be greatly appreciated.

Start talking to people who currently hold the position of minuteman (see the great article on informational interviews on Chicagojobs.org). Find out from them what you would need to learn and do to be suited for the job. Ask where the jobs are posted and check the IDOT jobs page frequently. Then highlight your transferable skills that meet the requirements. Go for it!

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Difficult Boss

I can not make a judgment as to the mental health effect of returning to this job. It is also difficult to determine if this will affect future employment opportunities. There are a myriad of factors involved. You are correct in at least considering the possibility that if there is a letter on file that indicates your inability to perform the functions of your job, that might be of concern to a new employer. It is always recommended that when you leave an employer, you do your best not to "burn bridges" as you will need to use them as a past reference. You have to weigh the risks against health issues. I suggest you discuss this with a mental health professional who can help you determine the correct course for you.

Don't give up!! You are on the right track!

I have worked in retail banking for the past 10 years. I'm currently a manager of a branch of a mid-sized community bank, the second community bank for which I have worked. The job is not challenging, and the work I do has so little impact on people’s lives that it depresses me.

I am most recently interested in the not-for-profit sector. I am even willing to take a slight pay cut. Do you have any suggestions? I am at my wits end and I need to locate and secure a new position soon - working a job I hate is having a severe adverse affect on my life in general.

Wow! It sounds like you are making a strong effort to make a change. It is hard to assess where in the process you need to change or adjust what you are doing in order to be more effective.

I would recommend, though, that you look at how clearly you are presenting yourself, how targeted your message about your qualifications, and how strong your 30 second speech as well as your resume are. They all need to be targeted toward a specific direction - many people use too broad an approach and it becomes difficult for others to help them.

You might also look at what first impression you are giving - since your current situation is so difficult, I'm wondering if you are coming across a little too desperate. It is important to convey the image that you are moving "toward" something, rather than "running from" something else. Working with a career counselor may help you work through some of these issues and create a more effective search.

The not for profit sector is huge and offers many opportunities - at many levels. You will need to think about your motivation to move into this area and educate yourself about the areas where your skills would transfer, learn about the salary ranges (which are usually lower than in the for profit sector), re-brand yourself and create a resume and personal presentation that will highlight those skills. Check out the excellent article on informational interviewing on this website for tips on how to meet people in the industry. The United Way Directory of Human Services (available at the library) will be a valuable resource as you explore further.

Don't give up!! You are on the right track!

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Entry Level Tech Positions

Persistence is the key - that and a targeted resume showing your skill set, and focusing your search to uncover positions that will give you additional experience. First you must be clearer about what types of IT positions you seek, it is a very broad field. Clarify your objective and be ready and willing to gather experience wherever you can to build your resume. Can you do something to help out your church or a community agency? Everyone starts someplace. Working with a career counselor may help you deal with the gap on your resume and focus on winning that first position!

Entry Level Web Designer

Networking and more face to face and direct contact with possible employers can be helpful. So networking is always a consideration - and a stronger one than spending all your time perusing the internet sites.

However, you might also want to explore your interviewing techniques, your follow up techniques and other areas of your job search. I would recommend that you meet with a counselor or attend a seminar that can give you an opportunity to have a mock interview and get some real feedback.

Perhaps some informational interviewing would benefit your job search

Getting a Portfolio Analysis Career

My advice would be the same to you as to anyone who is trying to move into a new area of the same field. Research, research, research. Learn all you can about the field, find out who is doing it now, figure out how to talk to them - (check out the article on informational interviewing on the Chicagojobs.org website)- begin to make contacts in that area - offer to help in any way you can - start at the bottom and move up the ladder. After speaking to people in the field, analyze what skills, personality and qualities you have that would make you of value in the area of hedge fund portfolio analysis. A website like HedgeWorld.com may give you more insights on this particular industry.

Then create a target list, develop a strategy plan and pursue your dreams. (A career counselor may be able to help here.) There are no easy answers to job change - just like there are no easy answers to amassing a fortune. Good luck!

Journalism to Social Work?

A friend of mine has been looking for a job change. He's been working as a sports writer for a local newspaper, but he's now interested in finding different work in media or journalism and/or a new career in the mental health-social work field. The questions are, How does one locate a career guidance counselor that is free that could assist him in discovering his possible career options related to these two areas of employment? Could they provide him access to resources? Could they assist him in locating actual job opportunities? It would be helpful if you could help me with my friend's questions and concerns.

You pose some great questions that I am delighted to answer.

Q1: Making a switch from journalism to more journalism or mental health...
A1: There is a BIG difference between the two fields. Your friend should definitely meet with a career counselor and sort that whole thing out.

Q2: How does one locate a career guidance counselor that is free...
A2: There are very few agencies that are totally free - but many community agencies offer great service at very low cost. Jewish Vocational Service is one; community colleges are available as well.

They can provide some assessments and will certainly give him/her the opportunity to think more broadly about why he is making the choice to change, why he might be interested in another field and how to determine what that field offers as well as what one might need to enter it. They can also help him determine his readiness to take on the challenge.

Q3: Could they provide him with access to resources?
A3: Not sure what kinds of resources you mean, but certainly they will direct him to whatever resources might help him move forward, including how to access details about school enrollment or information on securing financial assistance.

Q4: Could they assist him in locating actual job opportunities?
A4: Most agencies that provide career counseling services also offer job placement assistance. That means they help prepare the client to create a more effective job search. That includes teaching them where they might look for jobs, how to expand their opportunities for networking, how to develop a resume, cover letter, strengthen their interview techniques, discuss negotiating a salary and help support the time of workplace adjustment.

For the career counseling/job placement assistance process to work, it has to be a partnership - with the career changer/job applicant doing most of the work with the support and direction of the counselor.
If your friend is ready and willing to take the plunge - he should make the calls and seek the help!

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

How do I get back into the IT (Information Technology) field?

I had been in the IT (Information Technology) for more than 20 years and believe have sufficient knowledge and experience to not only excel on the field once again but also mentor or teach newcomers to the career. I just turned 59 years old. I was with a major telephone firm as a QA manager back in 2002 when due to acquisition, my position was eliminated. For the next 2 years after that, I had been looking for a job. To compound the matter, I could not work until 2004 due to health issues. Since 2004 to date I had been working as an advisor with a major bank (non-IT). Now I would like to return to the IT field, what are the possibilities?

There are a myriad of IT roles, and Department of Labor statistics indicate that it still remains a growth area. The field changes very quickly, I am told, and it is sometimes difficult to remain current, however, that is what the employers require.

So you will have to be strategic as you plan your movement back into the field so your excellent skills can again be utilized. As you begin to survey the market, look toward focusing your search and developing a target marketing plan, you must research current listings (use indeed.com or dice.com, among others) and possibly talk to people in the field to see what skills are currently required in the areas in which you have interest. You may see that you can easily be "repackaged" or that you need to acquire additional education. Many employers seek candidates that have current experience - - you may want to consider doing some temp work in that area or volunteer work to build your resume. Networking will also be extremely valuable in your case as your resume does not yet show recent experience. You will need to talk to people working in the field, expand your connections and contacts and learn to express your value and interests clearly.

I wish you great success as you begin this journey- you might also benefit from the support of a career counselor at a local agency like JVS to help you navigate the process.

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

Job Change After 25 Years in Retail

I certainly would recommmend that you work with a career counselor. You could contact: The Jewish Vocational Service at 216 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 700, Chicago, Illinois 60606, (312) 673-3400. The Skokie office of JVS is at 5150 W Golf Road, (847) 568-5150.

The Jewish Vocational Service would be a great place to start and there are also other agencies available that are listed on the ChicagoJobs website Career Counseling and Legal Help section. The Skokie Public Library also offers free 1/2 hour sessions with a counselor to help you begin to plan your next step. There is a great deal to consider - what industry were you working in (retail covers a lot of area), what other skills have you developed, what size retail business did you own, etc? Are you willing to consider additional education and what financial needs do you have at the moment. . . . . What are your dreams for the next "chapter" of your career that have not yet been filled? You are right to understand that you could benefit from speaking to a counselor who can walk you through the process!

Leaving Real Estate

No good counselor gives answers without asking many questions that you may or may not have answered yet for yourself. So here is a place to start! The process of career counseling includes many steps

1. Self Assessment - understanding skills, interests, values and needs
2. Exploration - what jobs are available, what are they like, what are the requirements, what are the opportunities?
3. Decision making- choosing between alternatives, determining motivation 4. Action - meeting people in the field, determining a direction, obtaining additional education, networking in the field, job search techniques
5. Evaluation - have I made the right decision? - how might I adjust as I move forward?

So, I believe the right direction would be to meet with a career counselor at a local private or public agency and begin this exciting journey! Start asking yourself the questions and let someone help you interpret the answers. Good luck!

Also, there are a myriad of good books at your local library - start with a classic like What Color is your Parachute or any other. Career changing takes a lot of effort and some really hard work, both internally and externally, sometimes that path is challenging but it can certainly bring great reward.

Leaving Sales

Your request for a simple answer is difficult (maybe not for you, but certainly for me). It would be like me asking a financial planner to pick a sure stock that would secure my future, without a strong review of many circumstances. A good career counselor asks questions, offers information and suggests directions that help clients make there own decisions. So, here are some questions for you to ponder.

1. What drew you to the world of finance originally? What of those needs have been satisfied? What have not?
2. What part of the process are you "fed up" with? What do you mean by fed up? Is it the situation, the tasks, the environment, the salary, etc?
3. What are your current needs? What is your current life situation and how does that affect your work life?
4. What are your skills and interests? What are your career dreams? Where do you want to be in 5 years, 10 years?

But what might be helpful to you at this time is to peruse some of the internet sites that offer career assessment and information about careers and begin to explore possibilities. You obviously have the opportunity to meet with many people who sit across the desk from you, if any mention jobs that seem interesting, strike up a conversation and gather information. Begin to get a picture of what the marketplace expects and then, working with a career counselor or friend, begin to assess your transferable skills that fit that qualification. Many people are able to make successful career changes but it takes dedication, focus and hard work. The only way to get started is to take the first step.

Military to Civilian

Congratulations on your retirement! There may be many career opportunities in the Chicago area for someone with your strong skills, and I commend you for starting to think about it now. (You didn't say exactly when all this will happen.)

The answer isn't so simple. . .Here are some suggestions that may get you started on the right track.

1. Look back over your army career and begin to think about those skills you have gained that will transfer in the workplace. Develop a list of selected accomplishments that will be of value to your next employer.


2. A good way to begin to think about this would be to research civilian jobs to see what the requirements are, what language is used and begin to formulate a strategy that will highlight your skills and experiences and make them of value - in language that matches "civilian talk." This is often a challenge in the military to civilian transfer.


3. Prepare a resume that highlights your strengths in those areas and directs you to your new objective (which you have clarified from your research).


4. Begin to research companies that may be a good fit for your skill set - and begin to focus your search toward those industries. You may have to do some informational interviewing.


5. Learn to write a strong cover letter, network to uncover opportunities and start to meet people in the field that may be able to help and support your search.


6. Apply!

There is much written about people with a military background who want to transition into an "encore" career in civilian life. Some sites such as: Military.com, Baseops.net/transition, Military Transition Times, or MilitaryJobZone.com may be very helpful. Also check out a general job aggregator like Indeed.com and type in military. You may also find some positions that look for people with military background. Also go for the strength!

A good book to check out at your local library that may also provide some good information is Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Guide: The Essential Job Search Handbook for Service Members by Janet I. Farley (Impact Publications, 2005).

Thanks for your service to our country and good luck as you move into civilian life!

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org

No Longer a Floor Trader

Sounds like you are in the "market" for some career counseling. It will be best for you to meet with someone in person. There are some excellent agencies and private practitioners in the area, it all depends on what type of services you generally feel more comfortable with.

You might start with an agency such as Jewish Vocational Service (847) 568-5150. JVS has offices around the Chicago area and a counselor there can help you navigate the process. You might also check with local community colleges, or contact someone at the ACPI (Association for Career Professionals International) for names of counselors in private practice. There are many good agencies in the area that offer low cost or free services to help you. Check the ChicagoJobs.org website's Career Counseling & Legal Help section.

It can be a frightening, but exciting path to follow, I wish you great success as you "move on down the road" toward another career destination.

Paycut?

Sounds like you have had some great success in your career, and have been rewarded for it. If you have finished your master's in counseling (and congratulations for that!) you understand that the answers to a person's dilemna rarely exist in a short answer and it is important to gather additional information before offering anything that resembles a "simple solution."

The answers, of course, have to come from you! Counselors ask questions, clients search for their own answers. Actually, I made a similar move from business to counseling and faced the same dilemma. Tough choice. Sounds like you didn't quite do enough research prior to completing the program but I would have to ask you to think about and describe the reasons you were interested in redirecting your career in the first place. Do those reasons still exist? Have you really spent enough time thinking through what is really important to you? What, if anything, has changed since you entered the program?

You would also have to think about exactly what those transferable skills are, research where and how you might use them in the field of mental health (if you are still drawn to the field) and where you want to be over a period of 5, 10, 15 years from now. Is there continued financial security if you continue on the administration track. In most cases, whenever you are making a move into another field, or taking on a new skill set, there are dues to be paid - additional education, internships, entry level positions, etc. This also might be a good time for you to think about and pursue connecting with people in fields of interest to you for informational interviews. This will give you more information about the realities of the workplace. There are also some excellent government and salary websites that can offer you information on what different types of positions pay. So, you have your work cut out for you!

One area, however, that does come to mind that might combine your training and your skills might be organizational development, you might want to do some exploring into that area to see what is required. Sounds like a pure career counseling case to me!!! You might benefit greatly from talking this out with someone at Jewish Vocational Services or another agency. Lots to think about and with your eagerness to move forward you should be able to make some good choices.

Trying to Break in as a Compensation Analyst

I have worked as an auditor/accountant for the past 10 years and I currently work for one of the Big Four firms. Within the last two years I have decided that I have no desire to continue on this path, although I am not completely sure where I would like to end up. My interest right now lies in Human Resources as a compensation analyst. I have no compensation experience but I do have experience in analyzing data and critical thinking. What is the best way for me to break into this field? I realize that I would most likely have to take a pay cut also and I'm okay with that as long as I'm rewarded appropriately.

First of all, as a career counselor, my first suggestion is that you might find it helpful to talk this out with a career counselor so that you can look at why you have become unhappy in your current position. They may help you determine if you want to "run away from" or if you truly are in the market to "turn to." A counselor can also help you learn how to research a variety of fields after determining your skills, interests, aptitudes, values and needs. Even if you are willing to take a pay cut (which you most likely will have to do), you want to make as informed a decision as you can.

OK, that being said - how does one find out about working in a Human Resources department or as a compensation analyst. I might direct you to the Human Resources associations ( SHRM or HRMAC) for information, check their websites and begin to gather information. Check the government ( O*NET) sites that give career information. And most importantly, begin to set up informational interviews with actual people in the field. There is a great article on questions to ask in an informational interview on the Chicagojobs.org website. That will help you formulate your questions. The next step might be to review job listings for that position (look across the country) see what the tasks and educational requirements are and see if the leads actually interest you.

Unfortunately, many of us try to figure this all out in our heads, when the real answers come from asking a million questions of those people who are actually doing the work. Seek help and enjoy the adventure!

The Career Experts @ ChicagoJobs.org