Guts Successful career-changers know two things: First, how critical courage factor is to their ultimate success; and, second, that it’s not possible to feel courageous 100% of time. By its very nature, career-change journey is a wiggly road. When your courage is on wane, try these approaches:

1.Don’t confuse uncertainty with disaster. Avoid mental “drama” that takes you to worst possible outcome. These projections are not your present reality. 2.Focus on your gifts and talents. Acknowledge yourself – deeply, and at feeling level -- for experience and skills you have gained. Write them down as a reminder of your abundance. 3.Trust in Divine Presence. As long as you continue to pursue your career change smartly, and take solid, active steps (i.e., do your part!), providence will support you as well.

Finally, remember that we are indeed, a ‘free agent’ nation. Safe, smart career change is possible and thousands of people just like you have successfully re-invented their working lives. Without question, you can, too

Chef, caterer, pastry chef and restaurant cook are merely most familiar four options, but there are hundreds of jobs in food industry. You may want to consider preparing for positions in management as executive chef, or in sales as catering director or in administration in food and beverage management. Maybe you'll want to explore developing specialty products - a line of sauces or dressings, for example - for retail or wholesale markets. Maybe you'll want to become a restaurant consultant to entrepreneurs who want to start restaurants. There are also teaching opportunities in professional cooking schools. Still another option is food writing and editing for magazines and books devoted to food and cooking. The options are endless.

For any of these career directions, you'll find best preparation in an accredited school program - you'll come out with a certificate or a degree. This training will provide you with a lifelong basis for understanding quality raw ingredients, creating balance and pleasure in combined flavors and presenting a beautiful plate to diner. Yes, you keep learning on job, but culinary school gives you a base of knowledge to test and compare to new trends, new ingredients and your own creativity.