Expert: Torski Dobson-Arnold - 2/6/2010

Question
Hi, I'm interested in enrolling in a vocational certificate course of some sort, which would be in complete opposition to my prior experience (general labor/plumbing) due to an injury. Perhaps something in a office setting, like a paralegal, working with computers, etc...

What discourages me is that most all job postings require the applicant to have a minimum 1/2 yrs experience.

Do you have any advice?

Answer
Gene,

Before you take any type of correspondence course, I would be clear about the type of 2nd career you want to do. Would you enjoy working in an office setting?  Would you enjoy working on computers?

If you have never had any experience in these environments, I would suggest that you take some time to lend your time to volunteering in these types of positions first so that you can make sure that would be the type of work that (1) you would enjoy doing and (2) that has employment opportunities in your area.

This would help you get past the requirement of having at least 6 mos of experience and it would also help you to identify the types of opportunities that are available to you and what types of work you might enjoy.

I hope this helps!

Claiming nothing but success in all of your career endeavors,

Torski
-The Career Confidence Coach