New Grads Changing Careers...Already?

Ms. Career Girl recently had a post about changing careers. It was interesting (she makes it all sound so easy!), and it got me to thinking about how many new grads are contemplating this.

I'm not talking about changing jobs, which can be just as risky. I'm talking about scrapping it all to take a different direction. And why not...it's your life, right?

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are thinking about transitioning to a new career!

• Determine why you don't like your current career. Is it just the job you are at? Many times you can switch roles and use other skills, maintaining your interest in the field.
  
• Research the new career path. Why do you think this is the career you want to be in? What will it take to enter the field, and get to where you want to be? Do you want to be a hands-on worker or a manager? Will you need to relocate? What's the market like in this career field? Who can you talk to to get a feel for the career before taking a job in the field? Can you "try on" a job in the new field or take an internship?
  
• Think about finances. Can you financially afford to scrap it all right now (assuming you have a decent job) and get a new job in the new career field? Would it serve you better to stick with your current job? What's your timeline like for progressing to the new field?
• Revamp your resume. How can you play up your applicable skills and experience to create a winning resume targeting jobs in the new field?
  
• Think about it. What ramifications will you encounter if you get a job in the new career field? What benefits will there be to switching careers?
  

Now's a great time in your life to explore new things. Just make sure you think things through completely. Often times, people don't like their current jobs and leave a field completely--you may just want to switch jobs, not careers.

But if you know you're in a field you don't like, and there's one more enticing, you've got plenty of options to make a smart career switcheroo.