There are numerous experts out there providing you with changing career advice, but do you want to follow it all? Changing a career is going to be tough. There are several obstacles that can hold you back.

• The new career may not have insurance.
• Your new path may lack a better salary.
• Your family may have to forgo this year’s vacation.
• You might think you lack the confidence to leave the comfortable for the unknown.
• You may enjoy the people you work with and fear having to make new connections in the workplace.

We could go on listing obstacles to changing careers. Instead we will focus on the types of changing career advice you can find. The best type of career changing advice is going to look at the obstacles you have personally and focus on you. Instead of focusing in general on changing careers you need someone who will look at your skills, knowledge and situation to provide advice.

Sure there are articles, CD’s, and books that can offer advice, but it will be generic. You need advice from a professional who knows your situation. Consider for a moment this example:

This individual wanted to change where she worked. She enjoyed the work, but there were fears. She was getting older, the current position did not have insurance, and she was unhappy with the business atmosphere. The only thing keeping her at the business was her co- workers.

She spoke with her co- workers, friends, and spouse about changing her position. It did help build her confidence. However, what could she change to that she would enjoy? Did she really need to change careers?

This individual did end up changing careers. She found that she needed a more structured job with insurance and a retirement plan. The good news is she already had training in the psychology field. She decided this would be best as a career change.

Her advice in changing careers came from individuals who knew her well. These individuals were educated in her strengths, her needs, and her fears. While the advice did not come from a licensed professional, it did come from a person qualified to give the individual advice regarding her feelings.

Sometimes a professional you do not know will not be the best person to ask. However, consider using both a professional and your friends. These two classes of individuals can offer you the changing career advice you need in order to succeed. They are going to be better than picking up a book designed to give general advice. You do not have to completely discount books or other media. They each have their own style of advice that can help you round out what you need to do. Books and other media are beneficial in providing advice to get you started before seeking a professional. Remember that in changing career advice you do not have to follow everything that is said or suggested. You still have the power to make your choice.