5 Ways to Reinvent Your Career--Without Risk

Laurie Cozart, 47, used to work 15-hour-days as the COO for a handbag company. She and her husband had always enjoyed acting and modeling, and attended an open call audition for Steele Model and Talent Management. They hit it off with the owner, who agreed to train them as apprentices. After six months, they decided to form a legal partnership. Cozart quit her job as COO and devoted herself to the new business.

If you’re interested in apprenticing, start your research at doleta.gov/oa, the Web site of the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship.

After ten years as a therapist for high-risk, low-income kids, Kelley Carmichael Casey, 55, felt burned out. She started applying for entry-level positions in different fields, but nothing quite clicked. Then she started volunteering at non-profit organizations that fit her values. She put her mind to being the best volunteer she could be for SCRAP, the School and Community Reuse Action Project. Her efforts paid off: She’s now the executive director.

If you’re interested in volunteering, go to Idealist.org, civicventures.org or taprootfoundation.org to start your research.

Brenda Jensen, 48, was happy in her job as operations manager for a food-packaging company. But then she took a three-day cheesemaking class—and it changed her life. She slowly segued out of her job at the plant and started making cheese full time. Now she runs Hidden Springs Creamery and makes award-winning sheep’s milk cheeses.

Local colleges are a great place to find classes on almost any topic. Or join the open course movement: Many elite schools are putting lectures online, for free. Look for them at openculture.com.

In 2005, Sue Burton, who then worked for J.P. Morgan, found out that her division was being sold. She knew she wanted a new career, so she paid $1,200 to take a Vocation Vacation and work with a production company. She didn’t like it. So she took another Vocation Vacation, this time with a stand-up comic. And loved it! Now she has a career in comedy, teaching workshops, giving keynotes and ghost writing.

Learn more about Vocation Vacations at vocationvacations.com.

Christine Adair had always loved baking cakes. But she didn’t have much opportunity to do it since she worked full-time as a dental assistant. When her boss retired, Adair took a cake decorating class. After a tour of the teacher’s shop, Adair decided to devote herself to making cakes. Now she runs Cakes By Christine and brings in $40,000 more a year than she did as a dental assistant.

If you want to make money from your hobby, try selling your work on the side on eBay or Etsy, a Web site where people buy and sell homemade crafts.