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As the year draws to an end, people tend to become introspective and evaluate where they are on life’s path. For many, the conclusion that their current job or career is unfulfilling, unbalanced or is not a trajectory to lead them to the personal and professional prosperity they desire becomes a stark reality. When this happens, what should you do? According to nationally known and certified career counselor Toby Chabon-Berger, M. Ed, signs that indicate a need for a career change include:
- No joy our passion for the work you’re doing,
- Working with people with whom you don’t respect,
- Inability to move up the career ladder, and
- Internal or external factors outside of the work’s control that threaten or stymie professional growth, income earning or retirement
Berger says “When considering a change of career doing a self – assessment is the first step. By conducting a self -assessment you will be able to clarify the reality of changing jobs or even careers. This process includes identifying what your values are, knowing what your goals are, and researching and talking to other people in different fields to learn how your goals, interests and values align”.
She continues, “Further, after the self – assessment and interviews with others some people may find that they need to be open to relocation or that self – employment is a viable alternative.
Christine Dura M. Ed, Chief Development Officer of OrthoNOW, the nation’s only specialized urgent care franchise, agrees. Dura, a previous four-time Master Franchisee with over twenty-five years of C and V level experience says “Quitting a job simply because you hate it is never the right choice. Career course correction is more prevalent among tenured workers and is highly common in industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical device sales where income levels can be high but which are also frequently highly regulated creating environmental issues that remove or diminish autonomy or threaten income stability”.
Franchising, says Dura, offers the ability to achieve dream equity while reducing the risk of startup failure as the individual is supported by experts in a proven business model. She cautions though that entrepreneurism and franchising is not for everyone. When considering self-employment, Dura believes your self – assessment should also include the following:
- Financial capability and the ability to sustain yourself for a minimum of six months,
- A well-developed and supportive personal and professional network that will support both you and the business especially in its emerging stages, and
- The right personality characteristics
What are the right personality characteristics? Both Berger and Dura believe that entrepreneurs need to be free thinkers who have had some previous degree of experience in operations, sales and marketing. They also need to have a network of business relationships they can leverage and take as talent or customers into the new enterprise.
When you have completed your assessment, and find that self-employment is right for you there are numerous public and private organizations that can aid you with the creation of a solid business plan, financing and other expert guidance on legal, tax and regulatory compliance. When this happens nine to five can take on a whole new meaning!
About Toby Chabon-Berger, M.Ed.
Toby Chabon-Berger has been a consultant in education, government, and private industry from more than thirty years. Her educational background includes two Masters degrees, dual certification as a counselor and career counselor and Charter Fellow designation in the International Association of Career Management and Outplacement Professionals, the first in the State of Florida to reach this competency.
Chabon-Berger also created the original Career Strategies column for the Palm Beach Post and continues to write on a free-lance l basis. Her columns were syndicated through the Cox Newspaper syndicate throughout the United States. She has been featured on all of the local television and radio stations as an expert in her field and has appeared on national television including The Phil Donahue Show, Kiplinger’s Video Magazine and more.
About Christine Dura, M.Ed.,
Christine E. Dura has over 25 years of quantifiable executive management and franchise related leadership experience within the US and internationally with notable franchise startups in the service, technology, retail, food, health and wellness, financial service, medical care, technology and professional services.
As a Senior Franchise Executive and Entrepreneur, Ms. Dura has been both an individual contributor and has successfully led world-class teams. Ms. Dura excels at partnering with all core business operations to significantly increase the company’s foot print, expand market share, and generate sustainable revenue and EBIT gains.
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