These days, the average adult will make three major career changes over the course of their lives. These major transitions can be jarring, or they can be exciting opportunities for growth or exploration – it’s all about what you make of them. Consider the following guidelines will help you make a decision you can live with.

Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t try to replicate someone’s success in a certain career, or assume that you have the same strengths they do.

Do your homework. Consider all the consequences of your decision – intended and unintended.

Do talk to a career counselor and similar experts to get a feel for the market and the career you’re considering. If possible, speak to those in the position you’re considering to learn what it’s really like, and to dispel any illusions you may have.

Don’t view your new career through rose-colored glasses. It’s easy to give into the allure of something new that seems more fun and less stressful than your current career – but a new career will involve its own stresses, frustrations and difficulties, and you must be prepared for the negatives as well as the positives.

Don’t change careers simply for the sake of money. You will likely be miserable in your new career if you do this.

Do take a hard look at what makes you happy. Completely apart from money, what will you enjoy doing over the long term? Honestly answering this question will help you choose a career that fits your skills, personality and ambitions.

Using the preceding tips as guidelines will help you choose a career that will help keep you fulfilled over the long term. Best of luck with your career change!

Everyone has a stereotype about traditional college students, whose carefree culture is legendary. But what about adult students — those who have some life experiences under their belt and seek their degree for personal and professional fulfillment? What do they look like?

Adult students are a diverse bunch. They have a variety of backgrounds and a range of reasons for returning to school.

Adult students tend to have some things in common, too. They are serious about their education, and tend to conduct themselves maturely and professionally both inside and outside the classroom. They are extremely willing to help each other, which is why adult education classes tend to have many collaborative projects, team presentations, and the like.

College professors love adult students because they are generally motivated, eager, self-disciplined students who contribute colorful and diverse life experiences to the classroom.

Lastly, adult students are in good company. Only one-quarter of Americans have a four-year degree, and half of America’s adults have never attended college. As the economy increasingly rewards those with a college degree, adults are flocking back to college. In 2001, 92 million adults participated in adult education of some kind, and the numbers are growing as online degree programs have made education more accessible to busy working adults.

Today’s adult students have a wealth of accredited degree programs to choose from, including online and campus-based programs. One such program is offered by Ohio Dominican University, with campuses in Columbus and Dublin. Ohio Dominican offers top-notch associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs to help busy adults gain a leg up.

Navigating the crowded landscape of adult degree programs can be tough, but these three steps should put you on the track to academic and professional success.

1. Assess your goals for your education. The best program for you is totally dependent on your learning style and goals. If you have a specific career in mind, look for programs that will specifically prepare you for that career.

Be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I want to do after graduation and beyond?
• What is my present situation and how will it bear on my next education?
• What credentials, degrees, licenses, etc. do I need to succeed in the field I am interested in?
• Does this career school’s program fit all of my needs?

Based on your answers to these questions, make a long list of programs that may suit you and gradually whittle it down to a shorter list based on location, cost, program offerings, and whatever criteria are important to you. Once you have put together your shortlist, now it’s time to…

2. Compare programs. Don’t just read the schools’ marketing materials, because many schools will overstate the quality of their programs, faculty, student life, and other aspects of attending.

Instead, ask a lot of questions and get some hard data. Before you do anything else, make sure the school has the proper licenses and accreditations. Ask exactly what kind of classes and programs are offered, how much they cost, how large classes are, and the graduation rate. In addition to tuition costs, learn what material you will need to succeed and their approximate cost. Ask about the qualifications of the instructors, and post-graduation services such as job placement.

In addition to speaking with current students at each of the schools you’re considering, ask for the contact information of students who have graduated from the specific programs you might enroll in. Ask them where they’re working, how satisfied they are with their career, and how satisfied they were with their education.

At this stage, leave no stone unturned. Do your best to get the dirt on the programs you’re considering, so you avoid unpleasant surprises later on!

3. Delve into the student experience. Before you commit to a school, get a taste of what it’s really like to attend. Explore the campus, speak to students, and sit in on a few classes. Get an idea of what classes are like, what student life is like, and other factors that will impact your educational experience.

Adult education programs abound, and you will certainly find yourself with a wide array of options. One popular program is offered by St. Gregory’s University, which has campuses in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Shawnee, Oklahoma. The important thing is to find a program that will play to your strengths, help you work on your weaknesses, and bring you closer to your goals!