Career

« career

career development »

career change

Career is a term defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as an individual's "course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life)". It usually is considered to pertain to remunerative work (and sometimes also formal education).

A career is traditionally seen as a course of successive situations that make up a person's worklife. One can have a sporting career or a musical career without being a professional athlete or musician, but most frequently "career" in the 20th century referenced the series of jobs or positions by which one earned one's money. It tended to look only at the past.

As the idea of personal choice and self direction picks up in the 21st century, aided by the power of the Internet and the increased acceptance of people having multiple kinds of work, the idea of a career is shifting from a closed set of achievements, like a chronological résumé of past jobs, to a defined set of pursuits looking forward. In its broadest sense, career refers to an individual’s work and life roles over their lifespan.

In the relatively static societies before modernism, many workers would often inherit or take up a single lifelong position (a place or role) in the workforce, and the concept of an unfolding career had little or no meaning. With the spread during the Enlightenment of the idea of progress and of the habits of individualist self-betterment, careers became possible, if not expected.

Career Assessments are tests that come in a variety of forms and rely on both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Career Assessments can help individuals identify and better articulate their unique interests, values, and skills. Career counselors, executive coaches, career development centers, and outplacement companies often administer career assessments to help individuals focus their search on careers that closely match their unique personal profile.

Career counseling advisors assess people's interests, personality, values and skills, and also help them explore career options and research graduate and professional schools. Career counseling provides one-on-one or group professional assistance in exploration and decision making tasks related to choosing a major/occupation, transitioning into the world of work or further professional training. The field is vast and includes career placement, career planning, learning strategies and student development.

By the late 20th century a plethora of choices (especially in the range of potential professions) and more widespread education had allowed it to become fashionable to plan (or design) a career: in this respect the careers of the career counsellor and of the career advisor have grown up. It is also not uncommon for adults in the late 20th/early 21st centuries to have dual or multiple careers, either sequentially or concurrently. Thus, professional identities have become hyphenated or hybridized to reflect this shift in work ethic. Economist Richard Florida notes this trend generally and more specifically among the "creative class."

want_2_b_better asked: "If you ever thought of changing your profession or have changed it or want to change it, then please go ahead and answer these questions...1) What is your current profession ?2) What do you want your profession to be ? (it can just be a change of position rather than the profession, more or less, what your profession or position you have to progress to, 3-4years down the line)3) What would you like your profession to be ?4) Why do you want to change your career ?"

Question posted courtesy of:

Walter G replied: "1. Fixing things. 2. Own a business fixing things. 3. Entrepreneur4. Apartment maintenance is a job, not a career. Enough said."

libertarian_atheist replied: "I got my college degree in ceramic engineering. But the job market was as dry as the subject material, so I eventually ended up in my current career, computer networking. I am self-taught in that field and happier doing this than I would have been in ceramic engineering.It's good to have a job that you are personally interested in. That, I think, is what makes it a career."

Jackal asked: "I've been working in the I.T. industry for over 10 years now and think it's time for a change. I dread going in to work everyday and am over having to learn about new technology that will be obsolute in a years time.Any good career change options for someone that has been working in the IT industry?"

Question posted courtesy of:

Crazeddoglady replied: "Maybe it isn't about IT but more about the industry within which you work. For example, if you have been doing IT work in banking, maybe its time for a change to the medical field. I say medical since I know someone who is an IT guy for our state organ donor network. He loves his job and wouldn't trade it for the world. He puts in long hours but loves not only what he does but the people he works with. Soul search about that - IT isn't going away and your skills will be transferrable. It would be a shame to throw away all your valuable knowledge just to start over."

Jenny S asked: "I am an Industrial engineer and want to make a move to Corporate Finance, one of the questions I get most often is why do I want to make such a career change and how I see myself fit into this role ? or justify how you can do well in Corporate Finance role despite your non finance background?I am currently enrolled in a full time MBA program and planning to take finance courses but I want to know how I can really sell myself on this idea ?"

Question posted courtesy of:

rlc_60504 replied: "You need to find a hiring manager that will take a chance on you. Avoid head hunters or recruiters. They are looking for easy, no-brainer, matches. They are usually a step up from used car salesmen in my opinion.You may need to take a cut in pay to make this happen. I made a career change in IT from one technology to another and I was able to find a manager that took a chance on me, but I had to take a 20% cut in pay. At the time, I had no mortgage or kids and I was able to do it without it seriously impacting my lifestyle.Good luck."

kat0217 asked: "I really want to change my career in being an accounting clerk to a Call service representative . Please give me useful information or tips about this job.Many thanks!"

Question posted courtesy of:

foxfire replied: "It shouldnt be to hard to switch. Do you have people skills and know how to answer the phone? You already know how to do paper work.Job Responsibilities: You will be responsible for receiving calls for customers, processing transactions, answering their questions. You will be responsible for resolving issues and responding to inquiries will be responsible on each call, he/she works to develop an in-depth understanding of the customers spoken and unspoken needs"

dkarlsenyh replied: "Honey, the only thing you can do that I know of is to go 115% in your job search. This means searching the usual monster.com and careerbuilder.com locations. If I understand your question correctly, you want to become a call service representative (CSR). This is a position that does not require a college degree. If I were you, I would apply by e-mail to any CSR position that was advertised by a private corporation vs. an employment agency. The reason being, a private employer is going to save a lot of money by contacting prospective employees directly. Good luck, hon."

Christine B asked: "I work in the finance industry and have for quite a few years. I done it straight out of school coz i was good at it and its good money. Its never been my true passion though. A change in career would be undertaking another course and possibly taking a pay cut. I also have credit card debt to maintain. besides that obvious "just go for it", any word of advice from people who have done this?"

Question posted courtesy of:

Space_Cadet replied: "Consider extending your education via night courses.. I know it is a tough road but both my wife and I did it while maintaining our (then) current jobs with 2 kids so we would be able to live.Taking a pay cut needs to be balanced with the sense of self worth you derive from your job and other sources versus the life style you want. I never looked to my job for a validation of the type of person I was. I just worked for the money and to improve my life style.Good luck!!"

Thin Kaboudit replied: "I am appalled to hear that someone in the finance industry has credit card debt! How are you able to be involved in managing other people's money if you can't manage your own? You should get completely out of debt (except perhaps any mortgage) before contemplating a change of career. Bear in mind that any "real" job you apply for these days will involve a credit background check anyway, and if it's between you and any applicant identical in every way (except that you are "in the hole" with Visa, and they are not), guess who'll get hired?"

Abel replied: "When we find ourselves in this situation we have to plan our career. Career planning is a deliberate process of knowing WHO we are so that we can be sure WHERE we want to go or WHAT we want to be at some defined point in the future. It involves an analysis of career/job options that are new to you. Career analysis is based on accurate, valid and timely information from --- reading, interviewing primary resources persons and direct observation of those persons while doing their job. Career planning helps us clarify our answers to the following questions: Who am I? Where do I want to go? How do I get there? It is not a one-time event. It is a life long process.Here are some sites, which can help you plan your career.Job Hunters Bible Richard N. Bolles, America's dean of Career Consultants, heads the company and is also the author of the book, 'What Color Is Your Parachute.' This book should be available in your library.Careers for the ‘People Person’CareerBuilder.ComCareerPlanner.ComU. S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook HandbookThe Princeton Review Career Quiz - Free. A brief 24-part questionnaire related to the Birkman Method, with intriguing career suggestions. The RHETI Test - Free. Related to the Enneagramhttp:/www.9types.com/Tests for SaleAnalyze My Career - Aptitude tests, personality tests, occupation interests, entrepreneurial index.John Holland's Self-Directed SearchOther Career Tests and Sites...&Peace and every blessing!"

je094 replied: "I'm in the process of doing this and am in the same position you are. What I have done is make a plan to eliminate the credit card debt. I contacted my credit card companies and asked about a low balance transfer rate. I managed to get 5.5% on average between two cards, which is better than the 14-15% I was getting. So, I have consolidated all of my credit and store charge debt onto these two cards. To pay this debt, I'm paying 4-5 times the minimum payment on both. I think it'll take me about a year to pay it all off. How long it'll take you depends on how much your debt is and how much you'll pay. As a finance person, I'm sure you can figure out a good payment plan.As for the change in pay, here's how I look at it. You're leaving a field where the money is good, but your heart is not all in it. But you're going to follow your true passion where the money is not as great, but you'll feel great about what you're doing. What's more important to you?"

Many experts opine that although it is good to learn SAP and even work on ERP package, SAP has lately started losing its sheen and it is not as lucrative as it used to be. The trend has changed now as most of the big and medium scale industries have already implemented SAP.

One of the results is the need for more healthcare professionals, including nurses. One way the industry is changing is by offering career choices in the form of more educational opportunities and options.

Coaching is a process of helping you articulate what you want, clarifying your direction, and working together to get there. As Founder of Overachiever Coach, Washington, DC resident Lee Knight can help you change careers, start a business, or get more out of life. She's done it for other ambitious and professional clients, and can do it for you.

One of the most fun, challenging, rewarding and frustrating careers around - but I love it and wouldn’t change it for the world! If you are thinking about a career in PR, then let me share some tips with you that will make it a little easier.

Fatima - A Career Change Guide Dog for the Blind

what color is your parachute? (project 365 - day 106)

Bookmarking

career change

See also

External links