How did you decide on a career change?

Looking for some feedback from individuals who went through a successful career change. What contributed to your decision? How did you decide on your new career? How long did it take? Did you have to start at a lower level?



I'm especially interested in feedback from people who didn't know what exactly they wanted to do straight away, just knew that what they were doing was not for them, but still wanted to maintain their lifestyle and position.



Thank you!How did you decide on a career change?
I went through five majors in undergraduate school before settling on one, then started a PhD program in science. After a couple of years, I knew it wasn't right for me - while I loved the theory, I just did not like the deep focus and perfection that had to go into each and every experiment.



I stopped with a MS and worked in a lab for a year while considering my options.



I decided to take the plunge to get an MBA, because I discovered the wide variety of careers that you could pursue with such a degree.



After that two years, I started a new career that felt right - in Finance. I was able to draw on my analytical skills in a different light. However, a couple of years into that, I realized a couple of things: I'd hit a dead end with what I could learn, and would only move up by diving deeper instead of more broadly - and, more importantly, that I crave variety and breadth of projects with continuous learning opportunities to be happy with my job.



I was lucky to find a different position in the same company (kept the stock options, didn't have to move, etc) that gave me what I needed, and I've been happy here for five years now.



I think we all know when we're not getting what we need from our career choice. It just takes some self-assessment and the resources (mine came in the form of student laons for my business degree) to do what you need to do to change.How did you decide on a career change?
I have worked in government funded programs for people in transition. I have a seen lawyers become massage therapist, a nurse become an airline pilot. I have also transitioned a few times myself. Do your homework, job shadow, talk to people doing the career, research -- before you leap. Look at your transferable skills, examine what ';type'; of work you like (routine - or variety) (numbers or people) etc. Allow a year for a major transition. If it is a completely different field you will need to start lower and work up..but usually you are able to more up more quickly.

Kristi Nielsen

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