Would like ideas on career change

[Sanity Claws]

I'm an attorney for 20 plus years and would like to change professions. Anyone have websites, books, etc. they could refer me to get ideas on how to transform my career into something less combative and more rewarding? I now live in Washington State but would like to move to the Arizona area. (These winters are killing me.)

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. You might be interested in what this retired attorney

has done, and what he is currently involved.

http://www.wallacevbushlawsuit.com/

What part of AZ are you looking to move to? Phoenix area, Prescott, Tucson?

In which area of law do you specialize? Just asking to get a better feel for what could be an extension of or natural move for a career change that would be more rewarding.

I left my career of teaching and went back to school. I earned a degree in Interior Design, and I love it. It was a natural move for me as design had been my avocation for years.

Anyway :hi:

[Sanity Claws]

3. I'll check his website out.

I would move to Phoenix or Tucson in a heartbeat. The rain up here, as well as the short winter days, is getting to me. I just don't know anything about Prescott.I

have done employment law and litigation for 15 years. I don't want to go into Human Resources because HR tends to be powerless; no one really listens to them.

Please let me know if you have ideas of careers I could move into with my background. I used to dream of journalism and investigative reporting. Most of my work has been reviewing documents, interviewing and deposing witnesses, and trying cases. Essentially I try to weave a convincing story from discrete pieces of information. I really think I have transferrable skills to be an investigative journalist. Now if only I could convince an editor of that!!
Do you think there is something that I could do that could be used a stepping stone or segue into investigative journalism?
Thanks again for your feedback and encouragement.
:hi:

[klook]

2. What Color is Your Parachute?

Check out http://www.jobhuntersbible.com

Richard Bolles (author of the excellent book What Color Is Your Parachute?) has a lot of good info for career changers on his web site. With your experience, you certainly have many transferable skills that you can use in a new satisfying career. Good luck, and keep us posted.

[Sanity Claws]

4. Thanks for your response

I read that book probably close to 20 years ago. I'll have to check it out again.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.

[klook]

5. I've bought probably six different editions

over the years. It's really a valuable resource. And the jobhuntersbible web site is a valuable public service, too. Bolles is a real hero in my book.

[CBHagman]

6. I'm working with a career counselor now.

However, in the past I've gone to a community or campus centers which gave career help, testing, and advice. You really might want to consider taking the Myers-Briggs for a little guidance in how to tailor your career change to your personality. I'm reading the book Do What You Are, which uses the Myers-Briggs to explain why and how different types of jobs suit individuals based on their personality type.

In the past I have made use of a number of websites, interest inventories, personality type tests, etc. Here are a couple of links to get you started.

http://www.jobhuntersbible.com/

Myers-Briggs material/test in particular:

http://www.personalitypathways.com/MBTI_intro.html

http://tools.monster.com/perfectcareer/

Monster's catchall section for career changers:

http://change.monster.com/archives/


I've also found that local job boards (i.e., www.jobsin_____.com) sometimes post articles on career advice.

All the best to you on your journey! :hi:

[CBHagman]

7. Career counselor just introduced me to this website.

Frankly, I'd never heard of Quintessential Careers before, but it appears to have plenty of material of interest (articles, tools, etc.)


http://www.quintcareers.com/

You might also check professional organizations, local job search sites (e.g., titles like "Jobs in ____"), and Craigslist.

Wishing you all the best,
CBH