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Weather forecasters can not reliably predict the weather three days from now. How are 22-year-olds supposed to pick the right careers for the next 40-plus years? Most of us will contemplate a career change at some point. It might be a conscious decision, or the loss of a job might be the genesis of a difference. 

The thought of a new career path can be both exciting and daunting. However, the risk and reward can both be high. A practical approach can minimize the risk and maximize the compensation. 

For tremendous success, consider these tips when you want to change careers: 

1. Be clear on why you wish to change careers. You are dissatisfied with your current job, but why? Too many hours? Not satisfying? Is the salary too low for your field? Understand why you wish to change careers and ensure your new path will not result in the same situation. 

• Avoid fleeing a career and take the first opportunity. Clearly, make a conscious decision about your future and move toward it. 
   

2. Understand what you want. Research shows that people love the general characteristics of their work. The actual job does not matter very much. Helping people, being creative, and having autonomy are a few examples. Additionally, multiple careers can provide the job characteristics that you crave. 

• Avoid believing that you must identify the perfect job. There are several options out there that would fit the bill nicely. 

3. Think big but be realistic. Depending on your age and background, the time for playing professional baseball, becoming a neurosurgeon, or sitting on the Supreme Court may have passed. Only some possible careers are viable options. 

• Setting unobtainable goals leads to frustration and a lack of progress. 

4. Determine the skills and education you need for your new career. Do you need a new degree? Public speaking skills? Computer skills? What do you need to transition to the next level? Furthermore, begin developing the necessary skills as quickly as possible. 
    

5. Avoid quitting until you have a new job. You may not have the option, but wait until you have another position before you leave your current employment. Particularly, with how quickly your savings account can deplete when you do not have an income. 

• If you’ve lost your job unexpectedly, consider taking a job in the short term until you’ve successfully changed your career. Although, the best part-time job would be related to your new field. 
   

6. Realize that you may have to start at the bottom. You may be a plant manager for a Fortune 500 company, but your first position as a computer programmer might put you back into a shared cubicle, working on non-essential projects. The bigger the transition, the more likely, the more significant the change. 
    

7. Make connections in your desired field as soon as possible. Do you know anyone in your future career? Can you do an internship or volunteer? Is there a part-time position available to get your feet wet? Connecting with people today is easy; finding someone you can talk to and begin networking with should be relatively easy. 

Think carefully before changing careers. Ideally, this will be the only time you’ll need to change careers! Determine what your current job is lacking and find a new career that ticks all your boxes. Understand that you may have to begin your new career at the very beginning. But if you choose wisely, you won’t even mind.