Search 4 career colleges

I’ve never been one to talk people out of chasing their dreams. In fact, I generally encourage it – people are more productive, creative and fulfilled when they’re doing something they’re passionate about.

But, in some cases, I think it’s important for dream-chasers to have something they can fall back on. That way they can still pay their bills even if they don’t get a call-back for a dream role they auditioned for. Call me practical – I’ll take it as a compliment.

Actually, lots of today’s celebrities once upon a time had practical aspirations of their own. And, they have college credits to prove it.

Halle Berry. Long before Berry was Catwoman she attended Cuyahoga Community College where she studied broadcast journalism.

Will Ferrell. Before SNL and a slew of hilarious movies, Ferrell studied to be an actual anchorman at the University of Southern California where he earned a degree in sports broadcasting.

Ashton Kutcher. Now known mostly for dating Demi Moore and for his role on the popular That 70’s Show, Kutcher was once known as a student studying biochemical engineering at the University of Iowa.

Eva Longoria. You may know her as a Desperate Housewife, but before Longoria made her move to Wisteria Lane, she earned a degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University – Kingsville.

Sean Penn. Penn’s educational experience extends well beyond Ridgemont High. He attended Santa Monica College and studied auto mechanics and speech.

Denzel Washington. Before Washington achieved super-star status, he studied journalism at Fordham University, graduating in 1977.

Oprah Winfrey. Now the reigning queen of daytime talk, Winfrey was once a Speech and Performing Arts Major at Tennessee State University.

Forest Whitaker. Long before The Last King of Scotland solidified this actor’s household name status, Whitaker graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in drama.

Reese Witherspoon. Before Witherspoon ever made it big playing Harvard student in Legally Blonde, she studied English Literature at Stanford.

So, if you aspire to make it big Hollywood-style, I say go for it! But, keep in mind that the road to celebritydom is rocky. An education can always give you some solid ground to stand on.

This is just my practical opinion, though. What’s yours? As usual, I’m interested in knowing what our readers think.

Maybe you’re ready for a new challenge. Maybe you’re not paid what you’re worth. Or, maybe you’re just plain bored. There are as many reasons for changing jobs as there are jobs in existence. But, if you’re thinking of changing careers, it’s important to identify the motivation for your move.

Knowing why you’re thinking about a career change will help you decide what you’re looking for in your future career. Think of it this way – even if your current position is completely missing the dream job mark, at least it can help you more clearly define what it is that you don’t want.

Get started by asking yourself a few key questions:

Do I hate this job, or do I hate this company?
If you hate your current job, but love your company, approach human resources and ask about openings in other departments. Maybe it won’t be necessary for you to leave the company to find fulfilling work.

However, if you hate the company but love your job, you already know what career path you’re suited for. Now, you just have to find a new environment that will make room for your professional growth.

When did I start to hate this job?
Everything has a season – even your company. Maybe your company is going through a particularly rough patch at the moment. If you otherwise enjoy your job, consider waiting it out. Maybe things will come full circle.

However, if you started feeling dissatisfied with your job several months ago and there is no foreseeable change in sight, it’s probably time to jump ship.

Why do I get out of bed in the morning?
Try to understand what motivates you and what you genuinely enjoy. Do you get to do anything that you’re actually interested in at your job? People who work in jobs that align with their interests, core beliefs and values are more fulfilled employees.

If you can think of a way to earn a living doing what you love, do that instead. You’ll be happier and you’ll be a more productive, valuable team member. And, if your beliefs or values are in conflict at your job, chances are you’ll be much happier working elsewhere.

As I said earlier, there are a TON of reasons why people change jobs. These days, most employees are job searching on a regular basis. Staying at a job for about 2 years has become the norm.

And, hating your job isn’t the only good reason to look for new work. Some people leave jobs they genuinely enjoy in order to face new challenges, grow professionally or for salary increases.

If you’ve left your job recently, or you’re thinking of making a career change, I’d love to hear your story – especially if you have some good advice on how to change jobs. What worked for you?