Switching Careers, Part 3

Once you’ve taken the self-assessment tests, it’s time to put those tests to use.

• What did they tell you about your personality?
  
• What did they tell you about your ability to work with others?
  
• What did they tell you about your ability to learn new things?
  
• What did they tell you is a good fit—job wise?
  

Having read the answers to the above questions, without reserve or a closed mind, can you see any truth in the answers provided? How do you feel about what these tests revealed? And how can you apply these results into your current situation?

Understanding how the results apply to your desire to switch careers is vital to the success of this life altering change you are about to make. After all, you wouldn’t want to end up in a career only to discover you were happier where you were before.

Once you have a basic understanding of where your talents lie, what your personality is like, and what careers fit best in those areas, it’s time to lay it all on the line. You must take a hard look at your current skills, degrees, and certifications, and ask yourself, “Do I have the necessary skills to switch careers now, or must I return to college to obtain those skills?”

If returning to college is necessary, you won’t be able to switch careers immediately. You’ll need to take preparatory steps to make the switch successful and the first place to start is by answering the following questions:

• What type of additional training, certifications, or degrees will you need to complete the transfer?
  
• How much will it cost to return to college?
  
• How will you fund the cost of college tuition, books, supplies, and sitter fees?
  
• How long will it take you to complete the necessary training?
  
• Will you need to start at an entry-level position upon graduation and if so, how much money will you need to make up the difference in your current salary and still support your family? (This is the money you’ll need to put into savings before you quit your current job and if that’s not possible you’ll need to cut out expenses to help cover the difference.)
  

Come back on Monday as we continue our discussion on switching careers.

Sonograms Help Military Dads Stay Connected

Many companies are showing support of our troops by providing free or discounted sonogram services to active-duty military personnel and their spouses. These programs are designed to offer moms-to-be the opportunity to share their pregnancies with their overseas spouses—thus building bonds and easing the feelings of isolation.

Our only caution is to remember that these ultra-sounds should not take the place of a competent doctor—women are advised to maintain regular check-ups with their doctors.

Small Wonders Imaging, LLC in Charleston, SC offers free 3-d ultrasounds to spouses of deployed servicemen. To learn more about the program, visit:
http://www.pr.com/press-release/37366

Pacific Coast Ultrasound offers military wives the chance to send a DVD of the ultrasound to their active-duty husbands, for free—when their insurance pays for the first ultrasound. Contact for more information, scroll to bottom of this page:
http://www.pacificcoastultrasound.com/4dultrasound.html

Tiny Images Ultrasounds offers a 15% discount for active military personnel. Their 4-D imaging program gives the clearest indication of baby. To learn more visit: http://www.tinyimagesultrasound.com/pricing.html

To locate more facilities that offer free ultrasounds to pregnant women of military personnel, contact your local hospital, your nearest free clinic, or your nearest pro-life center. If these establishments cannot offer advice, check with your local universities; sometimes medical students need practice patients.

Come back on Monday as we discuss our week long series on switching careers.