The career switcher. Who is this person? It’s not your typical major changer in college. It’s probably not the one in their twenties who switched it up after hating their entry-level position and scorning the whole field. It isn’t even the one who moves up in their job or switches departments at their own same company.

The career switcher is a brave soul – one who may decide to go after their dreams. They don’t necessarily need to quit their job, but they will find that they’ll be busy with night classes, a job, and sometimes a family to support. So how can this second or third or fourth career work to your advantage without totally throwing you in a hole?

Short-term effects are always important — time, money, etc. — but sometimes long-term effects can far outweigh these things. Will you be happier at a new career? Do you have this interest to do something more? If you have any doubts about your current situation, a career switch may very well be in order.

My friend’s dad is currently thinking of retiring because he is of the age when he can collect his pension. But thankfully, he is not in need of stopping work. Naturally, he’s looking to see if he can get another job when he leaves this job he’s been at for 30 years. He’s nervous because he knows he has limited skills (though his managerial skills can certainly translate to another industry). I suggested that he look into a certificate program, as additional degrees will give you a greater possibility of securing a dream job. But he’s not sure that he’ll actually have the will to see it through. So – what to do?

Well first, be sure to dust off that resume. You’ll probably need to do an overhaul and really think about what you’ve done recently and all the skills you’ve acquired in the past 30 years. The most relevant to a new job are most important. Keep in mind that although you’ve been working for a long time – you’ve been working nonetheless. Work experience is invaluable. And if you’ve participated in any extra-curricular activities that are relevant, include those as well. It may seem so high school, but it can work to your advantage.

Be sure to apply no matter what. Like I’ve said before, if you don’t try you’ll never know and you’re also never too old. If you have even the slightest interest in something – apply for it and be sure to follow-up. They may see something that really interests them so you really never know.

Of course if you can do it and have even the slightest drive pushing you then you should definitely look into a program of some sort. This will give you that bit of proof that you can use to show that you have some experience in your desired switch field.

If you’ve always had this feeling of waiting for your life to begin, a career switch may be what you’ve been waiting for. And the most effective way to get there is to take action, update your skills, and get going, no matter which career switcher you may be.

-Amanda Fornecker

“A lot of students have been asking the question: ‘We came to Harvard as freshmen to change the world, and we’re leaving to become investment bankers — why is this?’ ” – Adam M. Guren, as quoted in the NYT

The answer to this question, I believe, is money. An article in the Times states that students are attending top-notch colleges and then selling out for the corporate business jobs. I don’t think that’s necessarily true.

Everything must be taken on a case-by-case basis, but some people do actually enjoy business. My brother, for example, loves numbers. He’s so good at math (he got an 800 on the math portion of the SAT), loves the company he interns for, and will likely end up working with them full time when he graduates next year. I always joke around and say that he picked a better profession because he’ll make more money than me, the writer. However, if I had taken a business job, I really don’t think I’d be so thrilled.

Apparently there isn’t much incentive to take a public service job these days (according to the article), but when you think about it not everyone wants to help other people. And some who take the big business jobs may volunteer on the weekends. It’s very hard to just make a general statement like that.

I understand how it may look. You see someone with such potential to help others take a business job and think that they’re only in it for the money. But isn’t it the case that basically everything in the world is dependent on money? You don’t want to live in poverty so sometimes it’s just logical to do something that you’re naturally good at.

Personally, however, I would never suggest taking a job just for the money. It’s important not to sell out and it’s so important to do what you love. While we may not always have this luxury, we can try our hand at a variety of careers. It all depends on the person. I encounter people daily who look at me and say that if they had to write all day every day they would kill themselves (figuratively speaking of course). But if I had to take care of hedge funds and work as an accountant, I may be able to afford more shoes, but I don’t think I’d be quite as satisfied.

You may want to help people, but picked the wrong career. You may love numbers, but decide that it’s not where you want to be after some time. We mustn’t sell out, but don’t forget – there’s always career switching…

Click here for more on career switching.

-Amanda Fornecker

Father’s Day has come and gone. We broke 100 degrees in the New York area last week. And I’m already barbequed out! I guess we can say that summer is in full swing.

Before you fall into a summer routine that’s full of beach bumming, TV vegging (in the AC, of course), and vacation hopping, keep in mind that there’s plenty you can be doing for your career, too. Start with these tips from Betsy Richards, South Florida-based Kaplan University’s director of career resources:

• Take stock of your resume. Especially if you just left a job or graduated from school, your rez is probably in need of a facelift.
• Be social. Network whenever you can, wherever you can, and keep your contact information handy.
• Reach out. Contact companies and ask for an informational interview. You’d be surprised at how many pros would be happy to give you their two cents.
• Work for (almost) free. Find an internship or volunteer opportunity to hone your skill set and build new ones that will keep your resume fresh and show potential employees initiative.
• Temp when the temps and bills rise. If you’re still playing the field, consider working at a temp agency to stay afloat in the tough economy and make more contacts.
• Keep school on the brain. Education is never final. If your field demands it, stay up to date with certifications or training on the latest innovations.

Do these things, and you’ll be ahead of the beach-lounging pack.

It’s cap-and-gown time again, and for college grads, that means it’s time to face the job market. (Cue eerie music.)

But is it as bad as they say? That depends on who you’re listening to.

Here’s how the Economic Policy Institute –a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank — sees it:

College grads are confronting a more inhospitable job market than their predecessors faced in 2001, the beginning of the last recession.

With persistent job losses and rising unemployment expected, there is little evidence to suggest that the job market will improve for recent college graduates in the near future.

Talk about doom and gloom. The U.S. Labor Department has been the bearer of negative news as well, announcing that April was the fourth straight month that non-farm employment was down from a year earlier.

But there’s another side to this story. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2008 Spring Update survey, employers plan to hire 8 percent more new college graduates from the class of 2008 than they hired from the class of 2007. OK, that’s some good news.

Here’s more: according to a recent survey by Experience Inc., a company that provides software and services for job recruiting to colleges and universities, 31 percent of college seniors graduating this spring have already received job offers, compared with 22 percent a year ago.

It’s hard to say who’s got it right and who’s got it wrong, but here’s a bit of free advice: ignore the national job market statistics (especially the depressing ones). Instead, focus on what you need to do to get a job.

Along those lines, Alexandra Levit, author of “How’d You Score That Gig,” made some interesting quotes in a recent issue of The Wall Street Journal:

“College graduates today have very high expectations of their first job,” she explains. But in a sour economy, “you might have to settle for a situation that’s not 100% ideal.”

Broaden your search to lesser-known firms and less glamorous roles. “Just because you’re not going to fall in love with a job doesn’t mean you can’t learn something and make some money, too,” Ms. Levit says.

I have mixed feelings about Ms. Levit’s comments on lowering our employment expectations. While it’s true that we need to be pragmatic sometimes so the bills get paid and our bellies get full, I also think it’s a mistake to settle for too much less than the life we were hoping for. Your job may not be “100% ideal,” but it shouldn’t be something you hate, either. Nothing is worth that kind of misery.
It may be hard to ignore the bleak job market stats and doom-and-gloom commentary out there, but try. After all, you don’t need an entire market full of jobs. You just need one.

-Robyn Tellefsen