| For most people changing careers, acquiring new skills | | | | general subject classes are offered like foundations of |
| could be an obstacle. But let's face it, who wants to | | | | management or time management skills. If you're |
| pay huge amounts of money to return to school? | | | | employed and your company offers this option, use it. |
| Your life experience and past education provides a | | | | Take full advantage and enroll in as many course |
| reservoir of transferable skills. Skills like negotiating, | | | | offerings that you can handle. It's free for you. Your |
| analyzing and synthesizing are considered transferable | | | | employer will interpret your eagerness as a sign of |
| skills but for a career change industry specific skills | | | | your commitment to producing quality work for the |
| may be needed. | | | | company. Never a bad thing especially in this economy. |
| The rising cost of education may prevent you from | | | | The other option: work for a company with a robust |
| taking the plunge into work that satisfies. Don't let this | | | | education compensation package. If only to have your |
| be a deterrent. There are several no to low cost | | | | education paid for. |
| avenues you could use today to improve and capture | | | | 4. Volunteer / Free Internships - On-the-job training |
| the skills you need to make a better life | | | | takes only time and effort on your part. If you have |
| tomorrow.Don't fear, you don't have to return to school | | | | the time and possess keen observation skills |
| just yet. Depending on your career change you may | | | | volunteering may be your avenue to low cost training.If |
| never need a formal education. Should you decide to | | | | you are an intern, try to be exposed to as many job |
| go the way of the self-employed, the decision to | | | | roles and responsibilities as possible. The more options |
| adopt a formal course of study could be delayed. | | | | you have the better decisions you can make when it |
| Want to get a first rate education and improve your | | | | comes to achieving your career goals. |
| skills? Here are 6 no to low cost "tools" you could use | | | | 5. State Department of Human Resource |
| today to capture or improve on skills you may need to | | | | Management. Most states offer job seekers free or |
| make your career change a success. | | | | low cost job training options. Contact your local or |
| | | | state agency today to evaluate their offerings. You |
| 1. Library - once you've determined the gap in your | | | | may discover hidden grants or scholarships that are |
| knowledge, focus your attention on books that cover | | | | not widely publicized. |
| that topic. This is by far the cheapest way to get | | | | 6. Invest in a Home Study Course for niche specific |
| specialized knowledge on a particular topic. It only | | | | knowledge. This last option is for those who have |
| costs time and energy. Don't forget to return your | | | | decided to be entrepreneurs. Sometimes you are |
| books on time. | | | | missing information gaps on marketing, time |
| 2. Adult Continuing Education Classes - most local | | | | management or accounting.You may only need a 3 |
| counties or community colleges offer afternoon | | | | month course of study. This is the best option. The |
| classes on a variety of topics. Research their offerings | | | | cost of these systems vary, depending on their |
| to determine if they suit your needs at this time. This | | | | content. Don't delay a career change because you |
| may cost a small fee. | | | | suspect the cost of education will prevent your move. |
| 3. Employer Sponsored Education Classes - These | | | | Research and explore as many options as possible |
| classes may be industry or niche specific. Sometimes | | | | before you abandon the idea of a career change. |