Anonymous writes:
I have been a legal secretary for 10 years. At first I used this job to pay for school, where I majored in fashion design. Since then, I have been married with children and did not complete my major. I’ve been in business for myself for three years since then and basically gave it up because of a lack of interest. I’m in the beginning stages of outlining a game plan to change careers and am look toward my creative side.
How do I begin the research for a lucrative job that involves my experience as a legal secretary with a creative flair in fashion/entertainment? I also have interests in computer animation for major films.
The Career Doctor responds:
Well, the coming new year is a time to make radical changes — and you are certainly in that category!
I am going to offer you the best advice I can give you, but I honestly feel that you could really benefit from several sessions with a career coach. I think you have a lot of issues that need to be resolved and focused to help you move forward. For example, can’t you use your creative side in your job as a legal secretary — or if you moved to some other position within the firm? What if you moved to a legal office that practiced entertainment law?
A career change this drastic is going to take time, planning, and organization. I am guessing that your experience as a legal secretary will come in handy as you move forward with this career change.
You obviously have a great collection of skills and interests. I think you need to start here. Make an inventory of all your skills. Circle the ones that you most want to use in the future.
From those skills, start researching career paths that will best fit you. Get as much information as you can, including the types of training or education you need. Conduct informational interviews with people working in those careers. Find volunteering opportunities that allow you to practice some of these skills and build experience.
You can find much more advice in this section of Quintessential Careers: Job & Career Resources for Career Changers.
And for help finding a career coach, check out the Quintessential Careers Directory of Life and Career Coaches.
