Support During Career Transition: Keeping Upbeat and Focused

Do you sometimes find that as soon as you take that leap and decide to make a positive career change, you’re met with criticism and resistance from those around you? They tell you why it’s a bad idea and try to persuade you not to follow your dream.

Luckily, it only seems that way. One of the biggest challenges that many people in career transition face is trying to convince their families, friends, coworkers and the people who know them best, that change is a good thing. At a time when everything is in flux, it's tough for us to reassure people we are headed on the path to success despite any obstacles which may surface along the way. We may even be uncertain ourselves! And because we frequently experience the most resistance to our ideas from the people who mean the most to us, it can FEEL like our core support system is caving in. But don't worry, I assure you it's not!

As a certified career coach who has helped many people overcome obstacles and who has paved the way for my own career, I make sure my clients know where to find the best type of career support, at the time when they need it most. Here are five sources where you can seek out guidance, education--even commiseration!--during your career transition period.

1. Career networking - both online and in person.

There are tons of career-focused networks and resources on the internet and in your local area. To locate them online, do a Google search. Check out your home town paper to find out where the best career focused communities are hiding. Go out and mingle with like-minded professionals who are seeking a change in their own careers or who are currently in the career you want to pursue. Participate in workshops, contact your college alumni office or attend a networking event. The information is there for the taking, all you have to do is seek and you shall find.

2. Individual career coaching.

On my site I offer what is known as Co-Active Coaching - a style of coaching that empowers the career seeker to find the right answers on their own and navigate their career course in a way that feels right for them alone. A good coach will never just hand you instructions, but is there instead to offer expert advice, an objective viewpoint, positive encouragement and suggestions to help manage your goals effectively, in a manner that works for you.

3. A career seeking buddy.

Sometimes it isn't easy being that "horse of a different color" in your group of friends. If everyone you know is consumed with their corporate job but you have a strong urge to strike out on your own, you may get some resistance from those who can't relate or are fearful you might be making a mistake. The solution is not to try to persuade the naysayers, but instead seek like-minded people or a supportive friend to commiserate with, share experiences with, and bounce ideas off of. It's so important to feel like you have someone who understands what you're going through during the sometimes unpredictable yet exhilarating career transition time. You can find a career seeking buddy by following up with some of the other points in this article--for example, visiting online and in-person networks where career seekers converge, taking a career education course or career teleclass and reaching out to classmates, or even asking your career coach to introduce you to others in her circle of contacts.

4. A mentor or someone who has "been there."

Is there someone in your life who you admire because they didn't follow the status quo, created their own path or just seem to be living out an amazingly full and satisfying life and career? Maybe you have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who started their own business or managed to interweave creativity and flexibility into their professional life in a way that stands out from the crowd. Now is a perfect time to ask for advice and guidance from that person, listen to their story, learn from their mistakes, and apply this knowledge to the changes that you're going through in your own career. Most people are more than happy to share what they have learned. The experience is sure to be enlightening and you will be making a friend and professional contact in the process.

5. Career education courses.

Newspapers, career publications, public libraries, online career resources and even my career website, www.HallieCrawford.com, are all great places to discover reasonably-priced career education and transition courses. Become armed with the knowledge needed to begin your journey on the path to a more fulfilling career. I myself offer a terrific and inspiring Career Seekers Teleclass that's held several times per year. It's a fantastic support program for those who are interested in coaching but either aren't ready to invest in individual coaching just yet, or really like the idea of participating in a group where others are going through the same thing you are. For more information, visit my website at the bottom of this article.

When you're striving for a positive change in your life, the goal is to seek out experiences and people that help you pursue that goal, enhance your knowledge, and offer positive feedback. It's understandable that our human support group won't always exist in the places where we're used to having it... but help is out there. I have confidence that you will receive the guidance and understanding you need to move forward with your dream of the ultimate career for you. Good luck!

Copyright 2006 Hallie Crawford, Authentically Speaking. All rights reserved.

About the Author:

Discover the Essential Components to a Satisfying Career Today
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Career Education: How It Can Propel Your Career Forward

Ongoing career education is something that can help separate from you other job searchers and in some cases might help to win you the job.

As a recruiter, I have worked with companies who won’t hire people without a university degree. In some cases, they specify the type of degree needed but in other cases, the company doesn’t care what the degree is in as long as you have one.

In other words, a lack of education can cost you. And you might not even realize it if the company doesn’t publicly admit this policy but simply lets their recruiters know about this particular form of screening.

When planning your career, education can certainly have an impact on your success or lack thereof.

Here are some ideas regarding various levels of education that might help to determine your long-term success in the workplace.

University/College Career Education

As mentioned above, some companies you apply to might require a Bachelor’s degree or college diploma and some might not even tell you up front that this is the reason you are being rejected. If you haven’t achieved this level of education and feel like it’s holding you back, you can do something about it. If you have a job, furthering your education through evening classes or online university training can be difficult to balance but it can be done. The long-term positive impact on your career can really make it worthwhile, too.

Post Graduate Career Education

If you have already have a university or college-level education, you might find that a further level of education can help take to a much higher level. Not only can a Masters degree or PhD level take you to a higher level of compensation – depending on your industry and existing level of experience of course – it can also help to project you to more senior positions that might otherwise be unattainable. If only getting such a degree was as easy as writing about it…Certainly, attaining a Masters or PhD level degree requires a special kind of person, a dedicated career-minded individual who no doubt clearly sees the value of education.

OK, let’s say that anything related to degrees or diplomas is just not an option for you. There are still plenty of great career education options you can look at:

Industry-Specific Career Education

A good example of industry education is the various platform-specific designations that Information Technology professionals can attain in areas such as computer networking, routers, wireless and Internet technologies. Often these designations will not only separate you from candidates who don’t hold a designation, it might be a requirement for actually applying for some jobs. Other examples of people who hold industry-specific designations are registered nurses and certified trainers.

Skills Training Career Education

There are a number of options you might consider such as computer training, presentation skills training, project management training, financial management training and assertiveness training just to name a few. If you can think of something about yourself that you’d like to improve, you can probably quickly find a course or some sort of training to take. Plus, taking training courses – especially if your employer pays for it – is a great way to keep active and network with others who might help your career.

Second Language Career Education

Getting a second (or third!) language under your belt can really make a difference in your career especially in the eyes of firms who look favorably at multilingual job candidates. If you work for a multinational corporation, a second or third language might open up job opportunities with this or other companies who operate globally. Often bilingual job candidates can be worth their weight in gold to a company.

During your career, education can often help to take your farther than you would otherwise have gone had you not achieved this level. As the above lists show, there are many options you can pursue to continue your education at any stage of your career.

Carl Mueller is an Internet entrepreneur and professional recruiter. Carl has helped many job searchers find their dream career and would like to help clear up some of the job search myths that exist while helping job searchers avoid common job search mistakes that cost them jobs.

Ezine editors/Webmasters: Please feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your website. Please don’t change any of the content and please ensure that you include the above bio that shows my website URL. If you would like me to address any specific career topics in future articles, please let me know.

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Career Education and Planning Your Future

You may or may not have had a career education course in your grade school, high school or even college years. This can be a great tool to help individuals discover the available career choices to them. But, even as a young or middle-aged adult you may have questions about your career path and you may want additional career education. You may be unhappy in your chosen profession, or you may want to update your knowledge and skills but you are not sure how.

The internet is one of the most beneficial tools available to people who need career education. You can find personality, skill, and knowledge assessments; there are online courses designed to give you continuing education, and even universities which offer very type of degree from an associate’s to a doctorate. Once you have gotten the career education, training and skills you need, you can even find a new job online.

Assessments can help you to narrow down your career choices. Many career education courses provide them for students. Online you will find assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Personality profile, conflict resolution style, negotiation style, and so on and so on. Once you have found out what your strengths and weaknesses are, you will be better able to choose a career. Some government agencies even offer career education and job counseling for individuals who are looking for a career.

It may be a helpful step to you, as you embark on your career education path, to set up a plan. You should think about your skills, your values, your interests, and your personality. Decide on a career and then outline exactly what you will need to do to get there. Update and change your plan as necessary-then comes the real career education.

You will be amazed at the number of online universities and training programs available. Some are offered as an extension of traditional universities as a distance learning program. Whether you are looking for a degree program or just a recertification or training program, you will need to make sure that the university or organization offering the courses or program is accredited or recognized by those in your field of choice. You can usually take the courses at your own speed. You can often find financing, grants and scholarships, to assist you if you need it. As you take classes, evaluate yourself from time to time to make sure that this is still your career of choice.

Now you are ready to look for a job. There are online classifieds and job search services for nearly every profession. Many are free and allow you to personalize your search as needed.

So, go online, and get to work.

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How To Prepare Yourself For A Paralegal Career Or Advancement

Did you know that these days when professional opportunities are declining, the Paralegal field is blooming with opportunities you can grab with two hands? Yes, opportunities are positively expanding in the paralegal field.

This, obviously, is because the practice of law is expanding necessitating the need for Paralegals. There has never been a better for a Paralegal job. As more and more lawyers graduate so also is the need for Paralegals mounting on a daily basis.

As should be expected, this great need for Paralegals has also brought about the mushrooming of both accredited and none accredited Paralegal schools and institutions, both online and offline.

Therefore, selecting a Paralegal institution, whether online or offline entails some research on your part. What you must know in the first instance is that Paralegal institutions that are worth your trust must be ABA (American Bar Association) approved, belong to National Paralegal Organizations, and have, among other levels of Paralegal courses, a foundation course for beginners in which you will be taught the rudiments of Paralegal concepts following which you can then decide to specialize in areas such as litigation, real estate, estate and will, trust, and corporate law.

If you are desirous of doing a Paralegal course on a part time basis, the online option is advised, because of the following reasons:

1. An online Paralegal course will allow you the convenience of taking the course at your own pace.
2. There is flexibility and the benefit of studying at home using your PC and Internet connection.
3. Fees are paid per course module for most Paralegal online courses.

Obtaining an online paralegal degree will provide you with opportunities for advancing your career or finding new employment opportunities with law firms, the judiciary or the legal departments of organizations and the private sector, give it a thought in 2007.

Neshah writes for your Success. Recommended: Online Paralegal Degree Success blog or Online Paralegal Degree Programs Success, the road maps to successful online paralegal degree programs.

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Career Education In High Schools

Education is the most important requirement for a person to be successful in life. Schools impart education to students and train them for future jobs. Choosing the right career is a very crucial decision. However, many students are unable to decide or choose the appropriate field for a successful career. Students can ask for effective advice on career education from counselors of various career forums or programs. Students can also take advice from their friends and family members who can determine their aptitude and interest in different fields.

Students who have finished high school can seek guidance, from professional advisors at career education forums. Here students are given information about existing and most favorable fields that can be pursued.

Career education involves analyzing the skills, area of interest and basic knowledge of students by asking a number of questions. These factors reflect on the kind of career that suits their capabilities. They are introduced to a variety of career options, and learn the level of skills and education required in fields such as culinary, dental, heating, air conditioning and refrigeration, plumbing, hotel and restaurant management and real estate. Career education helps students select the most appropriate field that compliments their interest and aptitude. Students are also counseled on different financial programs that can help fund their education.

Career education given by specialists helps students increase their market value within a particular field. They specify suitable programs that prepare people for favorable jobs. There are many programs that help assess the interests, work behaviors and aptitudes of students. There are many websites on career education that guide students to prepare themselves for favorable jobs.

Career Education provides detailed information on Career Education, Career Education Online, Life Centered Career Education, Career Education Programs and more.

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