Many people who have been laid off are taking advantage of the recession to retrench and learn a new skill, or follow a lifelong dream. But whether you’re an investment banker who’s always wanted to be an interior designer, or a laid off civil engineer dreaming of finally getting in fashion design, transitioning to a second career requires more than just passion. It requires planning.

1. Research the different jobs available in your dream industry. By learning the range of careers that are available, you expand your possibilities. For example, even though you might be interested in fashion design, there are many jobs within the industry besides that of the fashion designer, like the buyer, the fashion merchandiser, or the technical designer. The more options you have, the greater chances of a successful transition.

2. Network with professionals in the field. Set up informational interviews with people who are working in the careers you’re interested in. They can tell you what the job is really like, and what you can expect in terms of work hours and responsibilities. They can also give you insight as to the training and education you’ll need to break into the industry.

3. Connect with social networking sites. Online social media sites can put you just a few clicks away from people who can help you. If there’s a company you’ve always dreamed about working for, you can do a company search, find people who work there, and then ask your mutual friends to connect you. Search the bios of your friends and connections, and see if any work in the industry or career you’re interested in. And search all your friends’ friends as well.

4. Get the necessary education. Before you launch a new career, you will probably need some training, and even earn a degree. Fortunately, many schools offer professional designation programs that can be completed in a year. Even if you think that you can transition to a new career without additional schooling, remember that enrolling in a degree program will provide you with valuable career placement opportunities you otherwise would not have. For example, fashion design schools are plugged into the industry, and can help their students and graduates with internships, mentorships, and job leads.

5. Plan your finances. If you’re going back to school, you don’t have to shoulder the financial burden alone. Seek out financial aid packages from your intended school, as well as independent sources; there are no age limits. And the Department of Education has initiated a program that greatly increases the amount of financial aid available for unemployed workers who want to go back to school, without losing their unemployment benefits.

Your personality weighs significantly as a factor that will steer you toward particular careers. Career choices must be based on your mind set and where your heart is. Whenever you start into the work force, your preferences are even more important than your pay. What kind of an individual are you? Are you a people person? Or, would you prefer to be left alone. Are you prominent in your motor skills? Or are you a thinker, rather than a “hands on” person? When you were in primary and secondary schools, did you have a mathematical or scientific mind such as an accountant or chemist? Or were you driven by poetry, grammar, expression and the like? What I am driving at is this—you may learn from research that an engineer makes a great deal of money; but, if your mind is not geared toward technology and new, innovative ideas, money or no money, don’t go down that avenue. Any job that makes you miserable will become a liability and a painful obstacle in your life.

The military life is one of the great career choices. It is especially rewarding for those whose mind is geared in that direction. There is much room for advancement in the Army, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard. Some find it important to keep up a family tradition and follow in their parent’s footsteps. However, there is something to be said against this scenario. You are who you are and not who your parents want you to be. Now, in making career choices, whenever you find the area of work that you prefer, invest your all into that career.

Whatever career you choose, you will not excel unless you put yourself into it whole-heartedly. If you are not the outgoing type—you will not but 100% of yourself into a career that requires working with people. If you are happy in your field, then you will find the drive you need to succeed. You should be comfortable enough with your career choice that you have no problem taking on any change in that field—go with the flow. If you intend to grow in stature and in salary, get the best education possible, explore many avenues and career options, go into the work world ready to compete, and most importantly, know yourself.

Flight Attendant Job demands the airline employee to be responsible for safety and personal comfort of passengers traveling with an airline they work for. Duties in a typical Flight Attendant job is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration , however the same may vary slightly from airline to airline depending on the type of aircraft flown by them.

Each individual undergoing training for flight attendant job are trained in emergency evacuation procedures, crew coordination activities, security procedures and first aid, they are also briefed on weather and flying time by captain of the flight before the journey. There job demands them to check passenger safety devices and to oversee that the aircraft is well stocked with supplies.

Flight attendants welcome passengers while boarding, check the tickets, direct them to the seats, and assist them with their coats and luggage. Flight Attendants during the course of their job also briefs the passengers safety procedures before takeoff. While at cruise level, the attendants ensure that passenger seat safety belts are fastened whenever required; serve drinks, light refreshments, or precooked meals; distribute materials for reading; and answer general queries of passengers’.

The turnover of flight attendant job which used to be traditionally very high has shown a decline in the last few years as more and more individuals are getting career conscious. Year 2007 should show an increase in flight attendant job openings due to the higher replacement needs of airlines. Replacement need arises due to flight attendants leaving career or just leaving the labor force for better airlines. Employment of Flight Attendants is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2007. Growth in population and income is expected to increase the number of airline passengers. Airlines enlarge their capacity by increasing the number and size of planes in operation. More flight attendant job vacancies are bound to arise with acquisition of new aircrafts and also since Federal Aviation Administration safety rules require one attendant for every 50 seats flown. Competition for jobs as Flight Attendants is expected to remain very keen because the number of applicants is expected to greatly exceed the number of job openings. The glamour of the airline industry and the opportunity to travel and meet people attract many applicants.