Changing a career is never easy. Doing so at mid-life is, arguably, even more difficult. After all, at this point in your life, you have probably spent all your working years specializing in one field or industry. Unless you're planning to go solo, this can be a big drawback since potential employers will look at your past work experience rather than what your potential may be. Implications on your lifestyle and finances can also make you think twice about shifting career gears.

Done well, though, making a radical mid-life career change can be fulfilling, assures Dr. Susan Cartwright, a senior research fellow in organizational psychology at the Manchester School of Management and co-author of Mid-Life Career Change: Desire or Necessity? "Nowadays, three out of 10 people successfully make a radical mid-life career change. The trend is to move towards jobs that provide more autonomy and flexibility ¾ such as self-employment and consultancy ¾ and away from large organizations. Indeed, taking the opportunity to change to a more fulfilling and satisfying way of earning a living can be extremely energizing and [very good for one's] well-being."

Changing one's career may require some retraining, warns Dr. Cartwright. This means you need to assess your existing skills and psychological make-up and make an objective evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses. Some other things you need to do include:

• Getting objective advice of friends and professionals, particularly those who are in the field where you want to jump into.
• Researching the job market and making realistic career change goals accordingly.
• Getting support from one's partner and family, as they, too, will be affected by your career change.
• Preparing yourself for what "starting at the bottom" means after you've held a more senior job in your old occupation.
• Assessing your health. Ageism can be an obstacle, so you will have to be robust and positive in your attitude.
• Making lifestyle changes since your income may no longer be as high, stable or secure as it once was.