Table Of Contentswitching
careers
Career Changers
Tell How–and Why–
They Did It.
Learn How
You Can, Too.
Robert K.
Otterbourg
switching
careers
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switching
careers
Career Changers
Tell How–and Why–
They Did It.
Learn How
You Can, Too.
Robert K.
Otterbourg
KIPLINGER BOOKS
Washington,DC
Published by
The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.
1729 H Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Otterbourg, Robert K.
Switching careers : career changers tell how and why they did it : learn how you can too
/ Robert K. Otterbourg.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-938721-86-0 (pbk.)
1. Career changes--United States--Case studies. I. Title.
HF5384 .O874 2001
650.14--dc21 2001038034
© 2001 by The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may
be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
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This publication is intended to provide guidance in regard to the subject matter covered. It is
sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not herein engaged in rendering
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assistance should be sought.
First Edition. Printed in the United States of America.
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Dedication
To Susan, Laura, Katherine, Kenneth and Sam. Each helped
me in their own way to focus on many of life’s challenges.
Acknowledgements
C
areer changing has hit home. Kathy, my daughter-in-
law, after 15 years as a self-employed interior design-
er, has returned to college, the first step toward certi-
fication as a high school history teacher. Switching
Careers was written for folks like Kathy who are planning to
change careers.
Interviewing the folks profiled in this book was a delightful
experience. What challenging stories they have to tell. I want to
thank them for their candor in discussing their careers, past
and present.
As you’ll soon discover, no two career changers took the same
route. You’re in for a treat as they describe how they made their
workplace and lifestyle journeys.
A few people were particularly helpful. As a Colgate
University alumnus, I turn regularly to Jim Leach, assistant to
the president of the university. Jim’s a great guy who has an
uncanny way of ferreting out the names of interesting folks to
interview. Greg Duncan works here in Durham as director of
admissions and student life at Duke Divinity School. I appreci-
ate his forthrightness in describing the intricacies of a world I
know little about—a divinity school education and the chal-
lenges facing ministers.
I am also grateful to the Durham County Public Library for
stocking the books and magazines not available on the Internet.
As I’ve noted in previous books, a library is a great place to do
research when you’re tired of staring at a computer screen.
Once again, I’d like to thank my literary agent, Edward
Knappman of New England Publishing Associates. Among his
many fortes, he moves a book project along and handles the
numerous business and contractual arrangements.
This is my third book that Kiplinger Books has published in
a relationship that dates back to 1993. It’s time to give “gold
stars” to David Harrison, publisher, and Patricia Mertz Esswein,
managing editor. David has a flair in knowing how to work with
authors in bringing books like Switching Careers to market. His
involvement does not stop. David actively supports authors in
the years after the first edition, first printing, hits the market.
Once again, it has been a joy to work with Pat. She brings tact,
skill and a personal touch to editing a manuscript, and she asks
the questions, often humorously, that need to be asked so that
the resulting book is both accurate and easy to read.
Thanks, also, to Priscilla Taylor, who smoothed the manu-
script; to Allison Leopold, who proofed the pages; and to
Heather Waugh, who created such an attractive cover and inte-
rior design for the book.
Lastly, thanks Susan. Did you know when we met more than
40 years ago that you would be listening to me years later drone
on about the people I’ve interviewed and the things that
I’ve learned?
ROBERTK. OTTERBOURG
Durham, North Carolina
Table of Contents
Introduction xiii
Preface xv
CHAPTER 1: Leaving Behind ‘A Foolish Consistency’ 1
Reasons for Career Switching • Fewer Financial
Consequences • Debunking a Few Myths • What
About Downsizing? • Where Are the Jobs? • Multiple
Career Changers • What’s Ahead
CHAPTER 2: Planning Your Mission and Strategy 15
What’s Your Mission? • Take Some Tests • Try It On for
Size • Back to School? • Financial Planning • How the
Military Helps Career Changers • A Handy Planning
Checklist • Some People Who Made the Change:
Career Counselor Was Once a Potter
Name the Career and He’s Done It
Trial Lawyer Becomes an Executive Search Consultant
Former Corporate Marketer Handcrafts Jewelry
Former Maryknoll Priest Finds a New Identity as a Carpenter
Classical and Jazz Bass Player Likes Litigation
CHAPTER 3: Recycling Existing Skills 41
Career Changers Are Packaging Experts • An Opportunity
to Be Creative • Are You Simultalented? • Some People
Who Made the Change:
From Cop to Lawyer to Doctor
Librarian Goes to Law School Blends News and Web Site
Skills Into a Single Career
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Retailer Uses His Know-How to Counsel Entrepreneurs
Small Press Publisher Is Small Town Lawyer
CHAPTER 4:Improving the Quality of Your LIfe 59
Working at Home or Anywhere • Seeking Simplification •
Do Clothes Really Make the Man? • Full-Time,Part-Time,
or Temporary • Where Should I Live? • Converting a
Hobby Into a Full-Time Job• Some People Who Made
the Change:
Shifted Her Social-Work Skills Into Advertising Sales
Analog and Digital Musical Recordings Are His Gig
Trades in Commuting for a Local Job Magazine
Writer Takes a Break and Returns to Work
Lifestyle Critical as a Clinical Social Worker
Buying a Country Inn Is an Antidote to a City Lifestyle
CHAPTER 5: Meeting the Future Now:
Information Technology 85
More on the Job Market • The Web Workplace • Who
Does What and How Do You Obtain the Necessary
Skills? • Some People Who Made the Change:
Nontechies in a Techie World
A Series of Careers Lead to the Computer Classroom
A Trucking Accident Leads to a Career as a Computer Analyst
Took the Leap to Freelance Web Site Designer
A Professional Photographer Becomes an E-Commerce
Web Programmer
From Speech Pathologist to Computer Educator
Nonprofit Consultant Goes Online
CHAPTER 6: Blending Many Skills in the Clergy 109
The Job Market • The Calling • Preparing for Divinity
School • Divinity School • The Pay • Some People
Who Made the Change:
From Naval Officer to Lawyer to Ordained Priest
“There’s No Business Like Show Business”
From Librarian to Community Activist to Rabbi
There’s a Higher Calling Than Commercial Banking
Divinity School Publicist Goes to Divinity School
