If you are interested in changing careers you are not alone. Every year the number of adults in the workforce who have changed careers rises dramatically. The average worker will change careers three times over the course of their life, and that number may grow even more.

If you are unable to advance further in your current career you may want to switch positions to one that allow you to grow further. Your interests and abilities may have developed beyond the point where a specific field is able to hold your attention.

Once you have decided that you need a complete change of career path, your next step must be deciding on your new career.

The easiest way to do so is to list jobs you have an interest in and begin eliminating them. Eliminate particular jobs by considering the experience and education necessary, the opportunities available in that field and your long-term goals. Also, remember to consider seeking out opportunities to try out a new field — on a temporary or volunteer basis — to see if you actually enjoy the work.

No matter what field you decide to explore, you will need to decide what skills you have that will help you in a new position and which you will need to acquire. You will need to create a new resume and you may need to prepare yourself to work in a position with less responsibility than your last, at least in the short term.

In short, changing careers can be a great deal of work but for those workers who are willing to put the necessary work into the process, it can be well worthwhile.

You may have grown bored with you current job, unsatisfied with your pay rate, or simply feel that you are not valued in your current company. These feelings can be frustrating, but remember: you have the power to bring about change!

You’ve Got Options

There are several options that you can use to help break the cycle. You can either

1) acquire new skills that will help to advance your existing career, or

2) obtain training that will enable you to enter a new field.

Fortunately, advances in technology have made it easier than ever to take courses online or even complete a graduate degree program!

The Internet has made a distance learning degree a reality and is ideal for working adults. Classes are held online and have message boards where students hold discussions, ask questions, and post assignments. Additional training will give you skills that you can use to market yourself or ask for a pay raise. Continuing education programs are the building blocks for future endeavors. Knowledge is power – so get yours today.

Whether you want to jump start a new career or breathe life into your old one, education and training is the way to go.