The Secret of Reinvention - How to Make a Career Change
Pat Boer
Most people do not welcome career change. Even those wanting to reinvent themselves find it costly and stressful, like Minnesota's new governor, Jessie Ventura. He's gone from wrestling in tights and a feather boa to stumping across the state in jeans and a leather jacket discussing policy with legislators in suits and ties. Jessie "The Body" touted himself as Jessie "The Mind" during his gubernatorial run. Now, unexpectedly, he finds himself in the role of Jessie "The Guv".
Jessie wasn't the only public figure to undergo a career change last year. A January skiing accident took the life of Sonny Bono, prompting his widow to take over his congressional seat. House Speaker Newt Gingrich unexpectedly resigned from his position and will not be teaching college.
These political examples show us how career shifts vary. They can be prompted by graduation, divorce, the death of a spouse, the birth of a child, the relocation of a company, the closing of a plant, or any number of events, planned and unplanned.
Examples in my own community include a third grade teacher who is now a TV anchor, an attorney-turned-professional-clown, a basketball star who's become a youth leader, a retail sales clerk in law school, a medical doctor-turned-architect, and a military pilot teaching high-school math.
Visit Monster's Career Change Forum and post a message to our expert
