Veterinarian Seeks Career Change

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know how much value I place on finding one’s ideal job/career. And sometimes the change in careers is quite dramatic, as in your situation. Even though you invested a lot of time and money to become a veterinarian, you’ve come to realize that there are more important issues in life, such as being happy with your job and career. What are the steps for realizing this change? Remember to take your time with this decision — do the research and make the transition at your own pace.

First step: Research specific career paths within the computer field and focus on specific career paths that interest you. There are numerous tools you can use to research career paths. You can go online to the Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook or one of several computer/technical association Websites; you can brainstorm with a career professional from your alma mater’s career services office; you can conduct informational interviews with computer professionals in your local area; you can attend one or more computer professional association meetings and network with people in attendance.

Second step: Once you’ve narrowed your choices, see if you can shadow one or more people in your field to help solidify your choice. Use that time to also research the types of education, training, and certifications you may need to enter the field.

Third step: Start getting the training you need — and ideally get experience (through volunteering, internships, etc.) in your new field at the same time.

Fourth step: Once your education and training is near completion, and once you’ve gained experience in your new field, begin networking and job-hunting using all available resources.

For more information about changing careers, go to this section of Quintessential Careers: Job & Career Resources for Career Changers.

For more information about jobs and careers in the IT/technical field, go to this section of Quintessential Careers: Jobs in Technical, Telecommunications, Computers, Software, and IT.