The Careers Adviser: How can I find the money to study dance? I find my career exhausting and would like to escape – any ideas?

Q. I left school after GCSEs to work and am now 19, but really wish I'd pursued my interest in dance. Is there any help with funding to study at dance schools? I couldn't raise the money any other way.

A. The good news is that you can apply for a Dance and Drama Award to study at specialist schools. They're for students over 16 who want to work in the performing arts, and they can help pay for a place on the top courses. The award covers the majority of the tuition fees, but you'll also need to make a personal contribution – about £1,275 at present. You can only get an award if you take a qualification at Trinity College London, and you must be an EU resident or have lived in an EU country for three years before the start of the course (you may also be eligible if you have refugee status). You'll be applying to one of 22 specialist schools – for a list and all the details see www.direct.gov.uk under Education and Learning.

Courses last between one and three years. The awards cover only those courses listed. To apply you must contact one of the schools and be expected to audition. You can get more help on the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989, or the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900. A Professional and Career Development loan is an alternative – look up www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/DanceandDrama/DG_10027090, under the "If you disagree with a decision" section.

Q. When I started my career 20 years ago, I enjoyed the work and pressure. Now I find it exhausting, but the worst aspect is the amount of paperwork and number of silly rules that really get in the way of doing the job, let alone achieving a result. I need to get out of a job I no longer enjoy.

A. It's sad that people in so many professions become jaded and leave at the very time they could offer so much from their experience. But many professions have changed dramatically during the time you mention and the evangelical motivation for choosing a career in the first place can get buried under the reality of new ways of working.

It's worth some detailed analysis of why you started out in this career. What motivated you then? Have things changed? What aspects of the job have changed? What is still important to you? What income do you need now? Do you have interests outside work that could lead to your new career? Think about the reality of running your own business. Are you prepared to undertake further education or training? Do you have a dream job?

This analysis should take time and you should check the results with family or friends to ensure you are being realistic. It's usually easier to move to a career that isn't a million miles removed from your current one, as employers can visualise you more readily in that role and your experience is more likely to be relevant, so you can move across at a similar level.

If you want to make a big change, you will have to demonstrate strong motivation for this new career – not just strong motivation to get out of the old one. A careers adviser might be able to help you work out options. Check whether working part-time or doing the same job with a different employer would be a compromise that would allow you to carry on.

Careers Adviser: Liz Hagger www.dominocareers.co.uk