Is it time for you to change your spots?

A change of career has always symbolised an escape from work problems, such as job dissatisfaction, a lack of promotional opportunities, or boredom. However, amid the current ethos of self-directed learning and decision- making, it has also become symbolic of the pro-active approach that many people are now taking with their lives.

"Switching careers isn't necessarily about escaping an unhappy work situation," says occupational psychologist Alexis Hallam of London-based Careers Analysts. "Many people come to us for self-assessment and to develop their self- knowledge. They want to find out where they can direct their own skill resources, and many of them are prepared to take a drop in income to achieve their goals."

Everyone has a financial bottom line, a minimum on which they can manage comfortably. Until recently, few people would happily settle for it. But a growing awareness of rising stress levels, and the "square-peg-in a- round-hole" syndrome in the workplace, has prompted a dramatic change in priorities, says Ms Hallam. "The desire for a better quality of life is kicking in, fast and furiously."

Practically, though, people's expectations of a proposed career change can be unrealistically high. Clare Neal, a careers consultant with outplacement and career management firm Sanders & Sydney says: "People do sometimes have blue-sky dreams about the career they would like, and you must never quash those dreams. However, the starting point must be for them to understand what has brought about their desire for change. In order to look forward, you have to look back and examine your career to date; look at the things you have done well, and those you haven't."

Change seekers must research their ideas in depth. Do they know enough about the industry or sector they want to move into? Is there a market for their existing skills, and if not, are they prepared to retrain accordingly? And can they afford it? Recent trends show typical career changers falling into the late thirties to early forties age group - in many ways, the worse time to be planning a complete career overhaul, with college fees and mortgages still be paid. "They must have the steeliest resolve," says Ms Neal.

Either side of that age range, and comparatively free of such financial burdens, individuals are discovering a spirit of adventure, and feeling a lot more confident about change. But that is not to say that today's youngsters are any more comfortable with the idea that they may have to change jobs several times before they retire. Indeed, given the option, many would choose "jobs for life".

Those who decide to make a change should avoid attempting to make it in one leap. "Few people can afford a sudden huge drop in salary which often accompanies a career change," says Ms Neal. "Retraining may take several years, and when they do move into a different career, it is likely to be at a lower level than their previous job. The secret is to compromise; look at the best of both worlds and identify the stepping stones you can take to get you where you want to be."

Compromise was the solution to Emma Broadribb's career dilemma. The 27- year-old from Fareham had always wanted to work with animals, but found school careers advice on the subject "very negative". She says: "I looked at a number of animal-related careers, and made enquiries about working as a veterinary nurse, but all I was told was that the pay was poor and the competition very high."

Instead, at 16, she was guided into a clerical job with a life insurance company. Six years later, having been promoted to team leader, she was made redundant. "I thought again about working with animals. But I was used to my salary level, and the kind of jobs that were available meant taking a drop in salary that I couldn't afford."

After a brief spell working in head-office administration for a large brewery, redundancy struck again. This time, an outplacement and careers management firm offered Ms Broadribb some constructive careers advice, which included another look at retraining as a veterinary nurse. In the meantime, she was advised to take another administrative job to provide herself with an income.

"That was when I spotted an advertisement for a receptionist at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester," she says. "It was the type of work I'd always done, yet it would place me in an environment that I'd always wanted."

Six months after taking the job - and an initial drop in salary - she was promoted to the position of Animal Adoptions Co-ordinator, bringing her into closer contact with the zoo inhabitants, and a slightly higher salary than her previous job with the brewery.

But can such career ideals be realised without incurring the cost of professional advice? "Sadly, the education system has failed in this way," says Ms Hallam. "We are finding that people of 16, 18 and 21 years of age are devoid of any career-planning or life-planning skills. Nevertheless, I believe that when it comes to making significant changes to your life, everyone can benefit from a facilitator. Where, before, people might have chosen to invest in Filofaxes and mobile phones, many are now investing in a career coach."