By Evan Vitale

Are you thinking about a career change? Don’t worry, you’re in the same boat with a lot of people who are considering changing careers.

A friend of mine told me his brother has changed careers many times – mainly due to shifts in the economy and workplace. He started with a marketing degree; switched to real estate and then to working in a mortgage office. When the real estate market went belly-up, he went to sales and then opted to go back to school to become a nurse!

Some people may not like their current job situation and are looking for a fresh start. Regardless, you need to figure out what it is you enjoy doing. Try not to look solely at the financial improvements. Yes, we all would like to make more money, but we need to be happy when we get up in the morning and head to work.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when thinking of a career change:

– Why am I not happy/satisfied with my current career situation?

– What am I looking for in a possible new career?

– Are you looking to accomplish something?

– Is your current job situation causing you too much stress and worry?

Aside from your salary, the ideal career for most individuals is one that offers job satisfaction. People want to go home at the end of their work shift feeling like they have accomplished something. In addition, you need to have a good work-life balance with your career. Work hard, play hard.

If you are considering a change, one good step is to take some additional training or classes to see how you feel about a career shift. It might not be what you expected or, perhaps, taking a course or two might energize and excite you about the possibilities.

Stick with your current career situation while you are taking classes and training. Don’t turn in your resignation notice until you have a new career and employment in place.