Ken Schuman
 
Careers Transition Associates



 
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How to Change Your Career:

Figure Out What You Want to Do
 
  1. Understand your values. A value is something you believe in; it is a way of being. When you wake up in the morning or when your mind wanders during the day, what is on your mind? Earning money, social issues, family, beauty, power, religion? These thoughts are an indication of what may be your driving values.



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  3. Understand your passions. A passion is what you get joy from. It is an activity that gives you energy and engages your deepest emotions.



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  5. Understand your strengths. Talents are what you are naturally good at. To become a strength, a talent must be nurtured through knowledge and practice.



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  7. Understand your mission. A mission is a life action plan that incorporates your values. Having a mission helps you to make difficult decisions.



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  9. Be Opportunistic. Opportunities present themselves to us every day. To be opportunistic, you must first to know what you want. Understanding your values, passions, strengths, and mission will help you narrow down your choices.



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  11. Use assessment testing. Assessments can provide additional data in order to make an informed decision. However, they should only be used in conjunction with a basic understanding of your own needs and in-depth knowledge of the career choices.



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  13. Balance Reason With Intuition. Don’t be limited by the choices reason provides you. The more you learn about yourself and a prospective career, the more likely your reason and intuition will coincide.



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  15. Get the Support You Need. Coaches, friends, business associates and family are important supports. They can provide context and perspectives to support you in defining and achieving your goals.



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  17. Trying On Your New Career. Before making the critical decision of quitting your job and moving to another field, try shadowing someone already in the field.



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  19. Have Realistic Expectations. You need to understand the gap between your current status and your dreams, and the obstacles standing in your way.
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