Michele writes:
I am a 30-year-old woman in need of a career change. I have my bachelor’s degree in psychology and am currently working on my associate’s in graphic design. I worked in the field of mental health and became “burned out.” The reason I’m writing to you is that I need to increase my salary and find a career that I enjoy. I am very creative and work very well with people. I enjoy the arts and have thought about working in museums as a curator or art dealer. I have had difficulty finding information about these careers and whether the salary could pay my bills!!! If you have any advice on where I should go from here, I would appreciate it.
The Career Doctor responds:
Wow. Your letter is almost a textbook example of a person in career crisis. Too often we stay in one job or one field too long and experience burn out, as you mention…and then we often move into panic mode because we don’t know where to go.
The good news for you is that you are doing all the right things. You have taken a self-assessment and reviewed both your strengths and interests — and you are moving in the right direction in finding a new career you’ll enjoy. But while I understand the need to pay the bills, I always worry about someone who mentions salary so close to career. First, because many career changers often must take a lower salary as they pay their dues in their new career field, and second, because while I recognize money is a big part of who many of us are, salary should not drive our career choices.
OK. Take me off my soapbox. You are obviously creative, enjoy the arts, and work well with people — a great combination. I’m not sure about the graphics design degree, but if you are also taking some art courses, it certainly could help you as you possibly transition into the art world.
Where do you go from here? You’ve done the hard part in taking a hard look at yourself, so now comes the fun part — researching careers in art. There are so many possibilities: go online, go to your local library, contact the career services professionals from your alma mater, track down alums who work in the art field, conduct informational interviews. Please realize that you may need to volunteer or intern to get the necessary experience to make the transition to your new career, but you’ll learn the most by talking to people in the field.
Find more resources for career change in this section of Quintessential Careers: Job and Career Resources for Career Changers.
