Page 81 - Marky Stein - Fearless Career Change_ The Fast Track to Success in a New Field (2004)

Eight Fast-Track Strategies for Successful Career Changers

These colleges are extremely affordable and offer opportuni-
ties for young and mature people alike to take one or two classes to
brush up on their skills or to earn a certificate in a particular sub-
ject like Web design, real estate, physical therapy assistance, mar-
keting, computer networking, computer programming, or early
childhood education. These schools also offer two-year associate’s
(AA or AS) degrees in academic disciplines like psychology, biolo-
gy, foreign languages, theater and television arts, and art history.
Sometimes their catalogs are sent to households in the areas they
serve, or they can be found at places that have other free weekly news-
papers and magazines. Otherwise, you can get a hard copy of their
semester-long offerings by personally visiting the registrar’s office on
campus or accessing an electronic catalog online.
As with most education, training, and even seminars that per-
tain directly to a new or existing business you operate, many costs
for education can be deducted from your taxes. It is best to ask
your tax professional which courses and programs would be eligi-
ble for such a write-off.

The technique of strategic education can also be
used to get a promotion within the company you
already work for.

It may be that, instead of making a sweeping change to another
career altogether, getting a promotion or a new title in the company
you already work for will satisfy your needs. Rodrigo, and many other
clients I’ve coached, got promotions just a few weeks after beginning
just one course in a master’s program.

With the benefit of strategic education, you won’t
have to wait for years to receive a raise and
a new title!

Some people who return to school with the intention of com-
pleting a degree see their employers reimburse them later for as

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