For a person with more than ten years invested in a career, changing job descriptions can be extremely difficult. If you stay in the same general career path, you have not changed careers. Going from a computer operator to a computer programmer is not a career change. Going from computer programming to nursing is a career change.
The problem with a career change is that it requires two things that will cost you money. The first is the need for additional education. Going back to school can be expensive. While you are in school, you may not be able to work as much. This will create an income decline. This cost alone may keep many from making the choice to change careers.
The second problem is that after the career move is made, most people will make a diminished income for several years. With ten or more years in a given field, the salary reflects experience. In a new career, the experience level is low. This means that the salary will be entry level for the field. Even going into a relatively lucrative profession like nursing, the salary will be about one third to one half of the position's earnings potential.
So, if you have a friend who works in another field making 50% more than you, this will translate into a 25% to 40% cut in pay for you during your first three to five years in the new field. For most budgets, this is a painful experience.
Getting into a new career without going broke requires some careful planning. The best approach is to go very slowly. Get the education on a part-time basis if it is possible. This will spread the cost and allow you to continue working at your current job until the education is complete.
When school is finished, do not immediately quit your job. Look for something less than full-time work in the new career. If you can work at it for two or three days per week, you will have a nice second income while gaining valuable experience. This may mean working odd days or shifts, but it will only be for a year or so.
Once you have built up the experience, this can be traded for better money. With a year of experience under your belt, you will have negotiating power. In addition to this, that year will allow you to learn more about the field and where to find the better paying jobs with the best benefits and working conditions.
If you are already unemployed, there may be some rehabilitation programs available to help pay for education and living expenses for a while. If you have savings, use that money sparingly. It still may be a year or more after the rehabilitation income ends before your income has become enough to live on. This savings may just be what you need to carry you through this period.
