YOUR EMPLOYER, the only textile designing firm within 100 miles, has closed its doors. You could easily get another job — if you were willing to move away. By Susan Goodman Contributing Writer Another day blurred by tvo many meetings, memos and prob- lems. You find yourself wonder- ing, ‘ton the fast track to what?” Your last preschooler has grad- uated to kindergarten and you “have been laid off from your full-time position as mother. Gone are the days when everyone thought of a career path as a ladder to climb toward one pre-determined goal. Today, many people accommio- date different interests and stages of life. As a result, North Americans are changing careers more than ever before. According to the U.S. National Burean for Economic Research, the average person will work for 10 different emptoyers, keep each job only 3.6 years and switch ca- reers three times before retire- ment, These figures, however, cannat describe the emotional struggle that accompanies a shift in ca- reers. First come the encroaching feelings of boredom, claustrophobia or burnout. Then, the suspicion-suited parental. expectations, not your own talents or interests. And finally, the fear of seeking work in a new field, often without the support of an appropriate resume or the support of family and friends. All this adds up to a lot of in- security and anxiety. No wonder the scale of life’s 43 most stressful events, compiled by Thomas’ Holmes and Richard -Rahe, ranks career changing as number 18, just below the death of a dear friend. Switching careers might well be the death of something old, but during your moments of discouragement remember that it’s also the birth of something new — and usually something better adapted to your temperament and needs, The road map calls for hard, systematic work all along the way. Studies show that the average career-hopper devotes only five hours a week to finding new work, Changing careers is a full-time -job, which may have to fill your lunch hours, evenings and weekends -if you already fave full-time employment. This unpaid overtime may seem like too big a burden now, but it -will pay of f with a job you enjoy. In fact, this process will pay off immediately, as a voyage of self- discovery. ‘TA person seeking a new career should start by taking # personal inventory of skills and tal- ents,’’advises Cindy Erb = of Catalyst Inc., a@ non-profit Organization whose services in- clude 175 career counselling cen- tres nationwide. “He or she should also find ouc what's important in a job, a work environment and in life.’’ That’s what Elten did. Despite stiff competition, she became a successful freelance illustrator. Yet, after a few years she found it harder and harder to complete her assignments. Whien she took the time to do a little soul-searching, she realized she liked her job’s autonomy, but the isolation of her work made her miserable. Today Ellen enjoys both self- _direction and sociability in her new career as a graphic artist for an advertising firm. Start your own soul-searching by assessing your . markctable skills, List the ones you've ac- quired threugh previous jobs but don’! stop with the obvious. In deciding upon a new field, it might) be more important to recognize that you are a superb organizer or self-starter than it is to dwell on the fact that you can type 50 words a minute. Are you unusually reliabie or creative? Dependable or able to fead others? Make sure to add the skills acquired through hobbies and domestic projects. Next, delve into your interests and values. What kind of job conditions are important to you? What do you want from your job -—- growth potential, fulfil- ment, prestige? What psychological rewards do you expect from working? What material rewards do you need? How docs a job figure into what you want from life? Finally, start. thinking about career paths that seem eaciting to you. Whose work life have you envied, and why? If you could have any job, what would it be? How would you feel with this job three years from now? Ten years from now? While brainstorming about your ideal job, take a tip from Greg Peay, founder of Careers Ltd., in Denver. **Make sure not to narrow your scope,’ he advises. “If you are interested in sales, consider everything from computer sales to real estate.”’ “You might discover you'd be happiest in fields like construc- tion, math or science."’ Now you can whitde down your choices with a little reality testing. 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Take a course at a local college or adult education centre to test your interest. Eventually, you will have to put your convictions on the line. atceelselontenteetetenteantaaiaetenteskaakartonteptionieialontentaeteatentorterdiateatas | ONE GAME OF BOWLING (SHOE RENTAL EXTRA) if s. OPEN DAILY 9:00 AM TO 2:00 AM — One coupon per ctistomer — with this ad only. Expires Nov. 30/93. Cen Re a ee COMING SOON . -t ' l I CIN EMAS | THE NORTH SHORE'S BEST | ENTERTAINMENT SMALL POPCORN with this ad FOR MOVIE INFORMATION CALL 926-6699 ox ah aS & ELWOOD S SPORTS BAR é Make sure to sell yourself wise- ly. Ask your friends and the con- tacts you've made for even more contacts. Comb the want ads, profes- sional journals and job clearing houses for openings. Interview at placement services, Once you have a job interview slated, ‘“‘Do your research,'’ says Peay. : Most importantly, don't get frustrated too soon. Finding the right job in a new field can take months. Yhen you dip into the doldrums of job hunting, push on. Research shows that for, most people it is much shorter than the agony of 73,500 hours in a field that’s not right for you. - Distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. Dior i (2 buckets for price of 1) Golf lessons available thru Fall Mark Ludeman, Jack Westover, Mel White ! i t t H I 1 ‘ cre ; NOW NICHT LIT 1 i 1 i 1 ' t 4 925-0102 WINTER HOURS: 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week , Featuring Turtle Wax Products Come In And Try Our New Handwash System Park Royal Car Wash * 900 Park Royal South * 925-0302