Change is not necessarily easy, especially when you start a new job or move into a different career. If you’re thinking about changing careers, here’s hoping you can draw a dose of inspiration from these famous career changers.
Arnold Schwarzenegger — The Austrian-born bodybuilder won 13 major events, including five Mr. Universe and seven Mr. Olympia titles, before he turned to acting in the 1970s (Remember the line “I’ll Be Back”?). After his film career began to peter out, he did indeed come back with yet another career change when he was elected governor of California in 2003, a role he continues to play.
Martha Stewart — She started as a model, then became a stockbroker, a businesswoman, and, finally, a lifestyle guru (plus a brief stint as a prison inmate), launching Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., in 1991. Her empire soon grew to include two magazines, a recipe publication, a popular cable TV show, a syndicated newspaper column, how-to books, a radio show, a web site, and $763 million in annual retail sales. Today, she’s worth $1.2 billion.
Ronald Reagan — He appeared in more than 50 films and served as president of the Screen Actors’ Guild. That honed his communication skills — far and away his most effective talent — for when he plunged into politics in the 1960s, stumping for Republican candidates before winning the first of two terms as California governor. In 1980, "The Great Communicator" was elected the 40th president of the United States.
George Foreman — He was the heavyweight champion of the boxing world for nearly two years in the 1970s. After giving up the ring for the pulpit and preaching for a decade, he returned to boxing and stunningly regained the title in 1994 at the presumed over-the-hill-for-an-athlete age of 45. Over the past 15 years, he has become uber-successful in business, serving as TV pitchman for his line of eponymous "lean, mean grilling machines," and has authored several books, most of them focusing on religion and the joys of barbecuing.
Ken Osmond — Who? OK, he was more popularly known as "Eddie Haskell," the smart-mouthed kid on the ‘50s and ‘60s sitcom Leave It to Beaver who raised brown-nosing to an art form (or lowered it, depending on your perspective). After his child acting career ended, Osmond served as an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department from 1970 until the late 1980s. Even while he wore the badge, Osmond did a little film work.
[poll:6]
If you've changed careers, what made it work (or not work)? If you haven't changed careers but want to, what's stopping you? Share your story in the Comments section.
RELATED LINKS
What the Heck is 'Networking' and How Do I Do It?
Back up Your Soft Skills with Hard Facts
Take a Leap of Faith in a Job Hopper?