How to Change Careers at Any Age

See how three people are changing careers in their 20's, 30's, and 40's.

By Tony Moton

Think it's too late in your life to make a career change? Think again.
Tom Mackey, dean of the Center for Distance Learning at State University of New York (SUNY), Empire State College, says people have an opportunity to reshape their professional lives by going to school.
"Higher education is a catalyst for change," Mackey says. "It gets you to think in a new way and it provides you with new skills. College also broadens your career options and choices because it provides you with the credentials you'll need."
Whether you're in your 20's, 30's, 40's, or beyond, making a career change at any age is possible.
Check out these real-life stories from people in the midst of taking their professional lives in new directions.

Katie Thompson: Age 27
Career Transition: Occupational Therapist

Katie Thompson's passion in life has always been about helping others.
"I find it very fulfilling to give back to people and the community," says Thompson, a native of Charleston, W.Va.
For three years, Thompson worked in Tucson, Ariz., as a one-on-one teacher's aide for special needs children at a public school. She says she enjoyed the work, but started thinking about changing her career to something with better salary potential and job growth.
"There was not a lot of room for advancement where I was, and I was not making enough money to live on," Thompson says.
In June of 2011, Thompson moved to Pasadena, Calif., after enrolling in a master's in occupational therapy program at the University of Southern California. Now more than halfway through the program, Thompson says she finds her new educational path challenging and stimulating.
"The science part has been the hardest," says Thompson, who earned a bachelor's degree in English and drama six years ago from Kenyon College in Lambier, Ohio. "The medical aspects have been kind of a stretch for me."
During the traditional full-time program, Thompson says she has taken courses in anatomy, physiology, and neuroscience, and focused on two practice areas - mental health and pediatrics. This fall semester, Thompson has been learning about physical disabilities and geriatrics.
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Thompson has some experience working with older adults, having held part-time summer jobs as a caregiver for people needing daily living assistance in a home-health setting.
"I like working with different kinds of populations," says Thompson, who supports herself by working part-time as a graduate assistant in occupational therapy. "It makes my day to make someone's life easier."
When her program ends, Thompson envisions herself working with children again as an occupational therapist.
Other Health Degree Programs:

• Health Care Administration
• Health Information Technology

Amanda Parks: Age 33
Career Transition: Middle School Counselor

A single mother of two children, ages eight and 12, Amanda Parks was finding her life getting more hectic as she moved up the ladder in the grocery retail industry in Lander, Wyo.
"I was working my way up the retail chain into an industry-level management position," Parks says, "but to get any higher I would have to relocate and start working in a management position that would have me working 50 to 60 hours a week. It wasn't conducive to raising children."
Two years ago, Parks made the decision to leave the grocery industry and enroll in a traditional, full-time master's degree program in school counseling at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
"I always wanted to counsel people in a one-on-one setting, but I would need a master's degree to do that," says Parks, who holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Wyoming.
And while Parks did have to move to another city to pursue this career change, she had family living in the Vegas area to help ease the transition.
"It takes a lot of determination to keep going, but I am glad I decided to switch careers," Parks says. "It's something I am very proud of."
Click Here to Find the Right Psychology and Counseling Program Now.
By enrolling in a master's program at UNLV, Parks says she is giving her children yet another example of why education matters to her.
"I am just trying to pave the way for my children," Parks says. "I want them to go to college and I want a career I enjoy."
Other Education Degree Programs:

• Child Care and Child Education
• K-12 Education

John Hernando: Age 44
Career Transition: Business Owner

After spending most of his adult working life in the field of credit management, John Hernando decided to make a career change. His goal? To start his own business.
But to make this happen, Hernando says he believed he needed to add to his credentials and learn more about business from a theoretical standpoint.
The Dallas resident, who lives with his wife and two teenage children, completed an executive master's in business administration program (MBA) at Baylor University in the spring of 2012.
"I have always had aspirations of moving up the corporate ladder," Hernando says, "so I went back to school to really get an understanding of higher-level business principles and theory with graduate-level work."
Hernando says he took traditional classes for the 21-month program at a Baylor satellite campus in Dallas. The school's main campus is located in Waco, Texas. Classes were held every other Friday afternoon and all day on Saturdays, enabling Hernando to keep his day job as director of financial services for a large dairy processor.
Hernando, however, had to miss watching his children play competitive baseball and tennis on the weekends during the MBA program. He also found some of the program's assignment deadlines extremely demanding.
However, the MBA program did allow Hernando to follow through on his goal of changing careers. He teamed up with a Baylor classmate to build a business plan, and together they started a freight brokerage firm that operates as a third-party logistics company for the shipping industry.
"I gained a lot of skills through the MBA program and broadened my network," says Hernando, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, which he earned at Dallas Baptist University in 1996. "The MBA program taught me more on the strategy side of things, how to build and start projects, and incorporate them with certain milestones."
Click Here to Find the Right MBA Program Now.
When it comes to the milestone of changing careers, Hernando says he feels like he's reached his target of being his own boss. He has a five-year game plan in place for his shipping company - a game plan he developed while earning his MBA.
"I think one of the biggest benefits was being able to broaden my network of professionals with my cohorts in the MBA program," Hernando says. "Not only do I consider them classmates, I consider them lifelong friends."

Jobs That Require A Lot Of School But Don't Payoff

Source: Yahoo

These jobs ask for loads of education before you can get in the door, but pay you little in return.

By Danielle Blundell

Jobs come in all shapes and sizes. There are good ones, bad ones, stressful ones, carefree ones, high-paying ones, and ones that are a little light in the paycheck department.
It's easy to rationalize a few extra years in school for a job that will return your investment, but don't get caught chasing after a job that requires loads of education and pays little.
Unless you love school and hate money, of course. But that's probably not the case.
To help you hold onto a little more of your time and money, we've singled out a few careers that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, require at least a bachelor's (and sometimes more), but report median salaries under $50,000.
And just to keep the universe in balance, we've also included alternative careers that require much less school, but still see relatively high salaries. So keep reading to find out which careers payoff after your studies, and which aren't worth their weight in textbooks.

Careers That Require a Lot of School But Don't Pay Off

Career #1: Mental Health Counselor

Are you the go-to person when your friends need advice? Feel like you are wise beyond your years? Then you might consider the career of a mental health counselor.
Why It Doesn't Payoff: Before you commit, ask yourself this: Are you ready to spend extra time in school to earn the requisite master's degree and then log another 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in order to become licensed as a professional? Because that's what the U.S. Department of Labor says it will take to prepare for this career of diagnosing disorders like depression and anxiety.
"You're talking about people's mental condition here, so that's something that requires a master's and several years of schooling before you can start making money," says Kent Lee, the Phoenix-based career expert and CEO of Perfect Resume, which provides interview coaching and resume writing services. "After that, it's also a pretty competitive field for getting jobs."
And what do you get in return for all that hard work and competition? The median pay for a career as a mental health counselor is just $40,080, according to the Department of Labor.

Career #2: Reporter and Correspondent

Maybe you've been told you're good with words, so you're leaning toward a job in journalism. Sure, reporters may look snazzy and authoritative in their fancy suits on television recounting the day's headlines. But how much do you really know about this profession?
Why It Doesn't Payoff: If you think delivering the news brings home the bacon, you might be surprised to find out that reporters and correspondents make a median annual salary of only $35,870, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. "So many people want to be reporters, and I think most people, quite honestly, have no idea how little most of them make - even the ones you see on TV." says Lee.
Making matters worse, the Department notes that employers typically require candidates to have a bachelor's in journalism, communications, or a related field, plus relevant internships. Some local paper reporters, says Lee, take home salaries in the high $20,000 to mid $30,000 range, well-below the national median pay - and certainly less than exciting after spending four years in school preparing.

Career #3: Recreational Therapist

What is a recreational therapist? The U.S. Department of Labor says they help patients with disabilities and illnesses - both physical and emotional. You're an active and compassionate person, so this career is a natural fit, right? Maybe so. But if you pick this profession, just know that the educational road ahead could be long and the pay disappointing.
Why It Doesn't Payoff: First off: You'll probably need a bachelor's in therapeutic recreation or a related field, says the Department of Labor. The Department also notes that most employers prefer to hire candidates who are licensed and certified, which can require an exam and a supervised internship of about 480 hours. Even with all those credentials, the median annual pay the Department reports for this job is only $42,280.
And yet, according to Lee, this field can actually be quite competitive. But for the back-breaking and often emotional trauma you could have to deal with, it might not be worth the compensation and amount of schooling required, he says.

Career #4: Curator

Love visiting museums and discussing art? You might think being a curator is right up your gallery, but if you're not exactly thrilled at the prospect of grad school, then think again.
Why It Doesn't Payoff: Turns out, being opinionated about a Jackson Pollock actually requires some serious school. In most cases, you're looking at a master's so you're well-versed in a given style of art or medium to lecture and write about it, says Lee, which will obviously take more time to earn.
The U.S. Department of Labor does say most museum curators have a master's, though some jobs may only require a bachelor's and work experience. Some museums also like candidates with doctoral degrees. That's a lot of years spent in the classroom for a relatively low median pay, which the Department of Labor says is $49,590.
To top it off, if you walk down this career path, you'll inevitably encounter other obstacles. "The problem here is competition," says Lee, as there are only so many museums or galleries to work in.

Careers That Are Short on School, Big on Pay:

Career #1: Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Median Annual Salary: $65,860
Top Ten Percent of Earners: $91,070
Bottom Ten Percent of Earners: $44,990
Are you a patient, level-headed person who can easily keep cool? A well-paying career as a diagnostic medical sonographer could have you delivering some bad news to patients. The good news? This solid career does not require an advanced degree - or even a bachelor's.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, sonographers are responsible for using imaging equipment to diagnose and assess patients' medical conditions. The Department of Labor says they're also taught to read the images so they can communicate their findings to physicians.
Payoff Potential: One reason for the high salary sonographers fetch may be the long hours they're forced to log at a hospital or doctor's office, says Lee. Sometimes that even includes holidays and weekends. But while hours on the job might be long, he says, for the amount of schooling you'll need, pay is certainly competitive.
Click to Find the Right Medical Sonography Program.
How Much School? You shouldn't need an advanced degree to prepare for a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor says you will need to complete an associate's or postsecondary certificate. Employers might also require that you are professionally certified.

Career #2: Police Officer

Median Annual Salary: $55,270
Top Ten Percent of Earners: $89,310
Bottom Ten Percent of Earners: $32,350
Think you've got the guts and bravery to serve your community as an ambassador of the law? Then you might want to look into a career as a police officer. You might have to attend an academy, but you won't need to spend years slaving away in school to learn how to uphold the law.
In the life of a police officer, it seems like no two days of work are exactly the same. The U.S. Department of Labor says police officers do a mix of patrolling for crime, arresting criminals, conducting traffic stops, or even testifying in court.
Payoff Potential: "Think about it - policemen are risking their lives," says Lee, which is a big reason pay skews on the higher side." One thing to keep in mind, however, is that even though there's little schooling and good pay, a police officer job can be dangerous and stressful. "Also the hours are long and often are well into the night/early morning." Well, two out of three ain't bad.
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How Much School? Education requirements for this job run the gamut. According to the Department of Labor, police officer candidates usually have at least a high school diploma or GED and have graduated from the agency's academy. Many applicants have completed some college coursework or have a degree. Many colleges and universities offer programs in criminal justice or law enforcement, says the Department.

Career #3: Computer Programmer

Median Annual Salary: $74,280
Top Ten Percent of Earners: $117,890
Bottom Ten Percent of Earners: $42,850
Been called a techie one too many times in your life and finally ready to do something about it? No, don't send people viruses. Look into pursuing a high-paying job as a computer programmer, which requires a strong foundation in computer languages - but not a PhD in them.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor says that most programmers learn coding languages like C++ and Java to create software programs for computers. Programmers also test, fix bugs, and update programs when needed.
Payoff Potential: According to Lee, you can't go wrong with computer programming, as the skills involved in creating instructions for computers to perform certain tasks is specialized knowledge that not a lot of people have. What that means, says Lee, is big salary jobs that fewer people are qualified for.
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How Much School? One possible first step to pursuing a computer programming career is getting an associate's or bachelor's, as the U.S. Department of Labor lists these as two degrees that programmers have. The Department of Labor says that most programmers study computer science or a related subject.

Career #4: Paralegal

Median Annual Salary: $46,990
Top Ten Percent of Earners: $74,410
Bottom Ten Percent of Earners: $29,420
Okay, so pay could be a little higher in this profession. But considering that you don't have to spend several years in law school and can still work as a meaningful part of a law firm, paralegal compensation really isn't that bad.
Paralegals assist lawyers in various ways. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, they are often responsible for keeping together the documents of a case, researching information on laws and regulations, and collecting affidavits for evidence in court. They also write and file legal reports, says the Department of Labor.
Payoff Potential: You can make a decent salary on relatively little schooling in this field, says Lee, but "you have to love research." Much of your professional life will largely entail hours and hours of researching cases and filing paperwork, which is precisely why it pays, he says. A paralegal's tasks are absolutely integral to lawyers putting together arguments for court, and their salaries reflect that.
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How Much School? One path for preparing for a career as a paralegal could be earning an associate's in paralegal studies, says the U.S. Department of Labor. If you already have a bachelor's degree in a different field, the Department of Labor also notes that you may be able to earn a certificate in paralegal studies.

Eight Medical Jobs On The Rise

Despite a sluggish economy, these eight health careers are picking up steam.

By Terri Williams

Job growth may be stagnant in some industries, but health care isn't one of them. Many careers in the health sector are growing at a much faster rate than the national average, which the U.S. Department of Labor estimates at 14.3 percent from 2010 and 2020. The health care industry added 23,000 jobs in March alone.
So why is the health care industry booming? Well, it's a combination of many reasons.
"Technological developments, politics, our aging population, the economy, and other factors have all impacted the growth of health care careers," says Francine Fabricant, a New York City career counselor and co-author of the textbook, "Creating Career Success: A Flexible Plan for the World of Work."
More good news: You don't have to spend half of your adult life in medical school and residencies to get into one of these fast-growing health professions.
Keep reading to learn about eight sizzling health careers with educational requirements ranging from a high school diploma to a bachelor's degree.

Hot Health Career #1: Registered Nurse

Nursing is the hottest career in the nation's workforce. Why? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 711,900 new jobs will be created in the profession from 2010 to 2020.
Why It's Booming: Ruth Winden, an international career management consultant in Great Britain, attributes the growth of this occupation to "the health care sector adapting to provide cost-effective care solutions in non-traditional hospital settings" such as outpatient care centers and physician's offices.
And what might registered nurses do in these health care facilities? Registered nurses could provide medicine and treatments, record medical histories, or educate patients about different health conditions, reports the Department of Labor.
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Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, aspiring registered nurses can choose one of three educational options: a bachelor's of science degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. The Department adds that all registered nurses must be licensed as well.

Hot Health Career #2: Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Talk about hot. Diagnostic medical sonographer jobs are expected to increase by 44 percent, or 23,400 new positions, from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's Booming: "Technology is responsible for growth in this area," says Fabricant, who isn't surprised by this career's growth projections. "In the quest for efficiency, demand for technology increases, and the need for those who understand how to use it also increases."
And sonographers sure know how to use technology. According to the Department of Labor, sonographers use imaging equipment to direct high-frequency sound waves inside a patient's body to produce images. Later, they'll analyze these images and send their preliminary findings to physicians.
Click to Find the Right Medical Sonography Program.
Education Options: To pursue a career as a diagnostic medical sonographer, you'll need formal education, such as a postsecondary certificate or an associate's degree, according to the Department. Many employers might require that you also obtain professional certification.

Hot Health Career #3: Dental Assistant

Dental assisting is another health care career that is expected to see a meteoric rise in coming years. A 31 percent growth rate is projected for dental assistants from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. All told the dental assisting field could see 91,600 new jobs by 2020.
Why It's Booming: "One factor that is impacting the growth of dental assistant jobs is the research finding that oral health positively impacts overall health," says Fabricant.
How so? Investigations have shown a link between periodontal disease and other diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Which, believe it or not, will motivate more people to go to the dentist, according to Fabricant.
And as dentists' schedules start to fill up, they will hire more dental assistants, who, according to the Department of Labor, prepare patients for procedures, sterilize dentist's tools, and even help dentists with certain procedures.
Click to Find the Right Dental Assisting Program.
Education Options: Some states do not require dental assistants to have formal education, while other states require completion of an accredited program and passing a state exam, according to the Department. Accredited programs may lead to a certificate, diploma, or an associate's degree.

Hot Health Career #4: Medical Records and Health Information Technician

And opportunities in the health care field keep heating up; the U.S. Department of Labor expects 37,700 new jobs to open up for medical records and health information technicians from 2010 through 2020 - a 21 percent increase overall.
Why It's Booming: "With paperless offices, the need for technicians who understand how to enter data, update records, and process information is critical," according to Fabricant. And medical records and health information technicians know just how to do that.
In fact, according to the Department of Labor, these professionals might spend their day electronically recording patient data, maintaining clinical databases, and coding patient information.
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Education Options: Although medical records or health information technicians might have an associate's degree, typically they need a postsecondary certificate for entry-level positions, says the Department of Labor. Certification is also required by many employers.

Hot Health Career #5: Medical Assistant

Medical assistants should see their numbers grow significantly in coming years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the profession should expect 31 percent growth from 2010 through 2020, an increase of 162,900 new jobs.
Why It's Booming: An aging population is also fueling jobs in this area. According to Winden, "aging baby boomers create a greater demand for primary health care, and medical assistants are taking on more regular medical and administrative tasks to free up physicians' time to consult patients."
And what tasks do they take care of? Well, according to the Department of Labor, they might schedule appointments and record patients' personal information, as well as help doctors with examinations.
Click to Find the Right Medical Assisting Program.
Education options: Although in most states there are no formal education requirements to pursue a career as a medical assistant, some medical assistants graduate from formal education programs, which employers prefer, says the Department of Labor. These programs could lead to a certificate, diploma, or an associate's degree.

Hot Health Career #6: Pharmacy Technician

Hold onto your prescriptions, a spike in pharmacy technician positions is expected. With projected growth of 32 percent, this occupation is expected to add 108,300 jobs from 2010 to 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's Booming: Growth in this occupational field is the result of several factors: "Medical advances, new drug discoveries, and a higher demand for prescription drugs by an aging population all contribute to the demand for pharmacy technicians," according to Winden.
Which makes sense, as the Department of Labor says, pharmacy technicians are the ones who fill prescriptions after counting tablets and mixing medications.
Click to Find the Right Pharmacy Technician Program.
Education Options: Usually a high school diploma or the equivalent is required to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician, according to the Department of Labor. However, most states regulate technicians in some way and might require candidates to complete a "formal training program" or pass an exam.

Hot Health Career #7: Physical Therapist Assistant

No cooling off here, as employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to increase by 46 percent while creating 30,800 new jobs from 2010 to 2020, says the U.S. Department of Labor.
Why It's Booming: The need for physical therapy assistants will increase, says Winden, because "the aging population has a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and chronic diseases." Not only that, but "medical advances may also result in a higher number of trauma patients and surviving infants with birth defects, who will require physical therapy treatment," she says.
Physical therapy assistants play a big role in delivering physical therapy treatment, since according the Department of Labor, they are the ones who observe patients during therapy and help patients do different types of exercises to help them regain movement.
Click to Find the Right Patient Care and Therapy Program.
Education Options: According to the Department of Labor, in most states, an associate's degree from an accredited physical therapy program is required to pursue a career as a physical therapist assistant.

Hot Health Career #8: Medical and Health Services Manager

Job opportunities for these health care administrators are on fire. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor projects a 22 percent job growth that will create 68,000 new medical and health services managers from 2010 to 2020.
Why It's Booming: Winden attributes the growth to "higher life expectancy rates and greater demand for general and more specialized health care provision for the aging baby boomer generation." And as the demand for health care provision increases, so does the number of facilities and the number of health care administrators needed to manage them, says the Department of Labor.
Medical and health services managers, who manage an entire facility or a particular clinical area or department, may represent the facility at investor meetings, supervise assistant administrators, or take care of the facility's finances, adds the Department.
Click to Find the Right Health Care Administration Program.
Education Options: Although "prospective medical and health services managers have a bachelor's degree in health administration," the Department adds that "requirements vary by facility. However, it is also common for these professionals to have master's degrees in health services, business administration, public health, long-term care administration, and public administration.