Resources for Wharton Undergraduates & Alumni
Strategies for Career Change

Motives for Career Changes

Changing a job or a shifting into a new career is filled with excitement in the hopes of something new and the opportunity to fulfill certain goals. It can also feel overwhelming for the very same reasons.

Depending on the extent of your employment history, you may have specific needs that you want to be sure to address in this career change and job search. During one's 20's and early 30's, one may be looking for opportunity and challenge. Working long hours, frequent relocations, and so forth may be acceptable consequences. In the later 30' s and during the 40's, one may be more focused on their view of work. There is the realization that there are certain things that you do well and really prefer to do while other options may not be pursued. If a number of career goals have been met thus far in your experiences, the focus often shifts to other goals that have more personal meaning.

During the later 40's and throughout the 50's, there may be a merging of the work and personal interest needs. Some individuals may wish to use some aspect of their education that they have never fully developed, while others are seeking a completely different environment in an area in which they have had little exposure. Still others may be considering a move from a corporate position to the non-profit sector that may allow them to share the skills that they have developed.

Decide on what is important to you.

In a time of frequent down-sizings, you may not have the time that you might need to identify what the "ideal position" might be for you. However, it is important to think about why you wish to change your present position or what you might do if a change is thrust upon you. Create a list of the positive and negative aspects of your job, include the tasks that you found easy to accomplish and the ones that were more difficult.

Decide on aspects of your life that are important......staying in the same city or region....income requirements....supervision and evaluation styles that have felt constructive and supportive....autonomy in deciding the tasks that you will do....flexibility in a work schedule.... the amount of time away from home for commuting or work-related traveling. These issues are very important when you are searching for a new position.

Resources

Check with your local librarian for the names of occupational resources that might be useful, as well as books that provide strategies for re-careering. Some suggested resources are listed below:

• Careering and Re-Careering for the 90's
• What Color is Your Parachute?
• What's Next: Career Strategies After 35
• Transition: Successful Career Strategies Mid-Career to Retirement
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Chamber of Commerce Directories

Some of the above may also be listed via the internet. There are some excellent websites that offer pertinent information about a variety of career fields and job opportunities. Check out the Online Resources we have compiled to help get you started in your search for career information.

Depending on one's circumstances, there may be a network of individuals that you can contact for information about other work environments. However, if that is not the case, there is a network of alumni that you can access from the homepage (PCN). Keeping your list in mind of the satisfying aspects of your job and career, talk to alumni about their career paths and the positions that they hold. Check with the Alumni Affairs Office to see if there is a local alumni chapter near your home. Some chapters are very involved in offering programs through out the year. It is vital that you create a network of people to assist you at this time.

Alumni may seek out counselors in Career services for advice about their resumes, graduate schools, etc. This can be done during telephone and/or in person appointment. Resumes may be faxed to our office or sent via e-mail and returned to you with comments. However, if you reside in another geographic area and seek more extensive assistance that might include vocational testing, contact the Counseling Centers of the colleges or universities that are near to you. They typically have a list of professionals or the names of the local chapters of professional organizations that offer vocational counseling. Graduate counseling programs at universities are another source of professional assistance. It is important to recognize that change can be stressful and that you should spend the time that is necessary to evaluate each career opportunity that you are considering.