The Careers Adviser: 'How do I find work again after a repetitive strain injury? And which degree should I study?'

The only way is up

Q. I have a degree in mathematical physics and a Masters in artificial intelligence. I had a successful career as a computer programmer. But five years ago I developed RSI and was unable to use the computer. I took what I thought was to be temporary employment at a crammer. I am still there. I feel I have fallen off the ladder.

A. It sounds as if you are facing a complete change of direction and you need to put a considerable amount of thought into the process. You need to distinguish between finding a job you can get from your current position, and working your way into a career you will enjoy in the long term. Too many people focus all their efforts on the former, and don't give enough thought to the latter. They often find themselves in a dead end.

Before you start looking properly, work out the factors which will determine whether you are likely be satisfied or not. Think about particular activities that you have enjoyed or hated. Think about what you value in your work, your workplace or your colleagues. To give yourself the best chance of finding interesting options, you have to combine research, curiosity and lateral thinking.

One starting point might be to look at the potential careers in the IT industry that don't involve as much keyboard work, such as marketing, advisory or consulting roles. See the British Computer Society website (www.bcs.org) for profiles. Lateral thinking might get you to combine IT and education and come up with a marketing role in an educational software company. These are just starting-point ideas. Go out and investigate. Don't just look for job adverts – look for useful information and build on it.

A matter of course

Q. I have worked as an IT business analyst for 13 years. I didn't do a degree, but now feel I need a change and am thinking about taking one. My interests are travel, literature, design, language and art. I don't understand what I can do with a degree in these subjects, or which I should study.

A. There are two ways to tackle this. First, you could try to work out what you would most enjoy studying by reading around each subject. Once you feel you are definitely interested, contact departments and ask for a reading list – you can search for courses at www.ucas.ac.uk. In the case of art, this might be more a matter of starting a portfolio. This research should ensure that you enjoy and do well in your studies.

Be aware that doing a particular course does not necessarily lead to a clearly defined list of careers. Many graduates go into non-subject-related careers, and even those who have studied a vocational subject may choose not to pursue it in a job. You can investigate this further by looking at the "options with your subject" section on the graduate careers website Prospect (www.prospects. ac.uk). You could also ask course tutors about the destinations of previous students. As well as hoping to change direction, part of your motivation for studying a degree needs to be your own fulfilment and sense of achievement.

The other way to approach your decision might be to research career areas, and then investigate the routes in – again, the Prospects website can help with this. The risk with this approach is that you decide to study something which may not be top of your list of interests, and though possible, it is not an easy route to take.

Careers advisers: David Winter, careers consultant, C2 at The Careers Group ; Nan Sherrard, careers consultant, Graduate Prospects.

Send your queries to Caroline Haydon at 'The Independent', Education Desk, Independent House, 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS; or fax 020-7005 2143; or e-mail to chaydon@blueyonder.co.uk