January 4, 2008

ReadyMinds Founder & CEO, Randy M.Miller, Featured In Newsday Article, "Dream chasers: At midlife, taking lower pay to begin more satisfying careers." By Arlene Gross

Mary Ahern had dabbled in art for many years, but had never been able to actually make a career of it. Until four years ago, that is, when she made the switch to full-time artist.

"I had always been a creative artist," the Northport resident, 60, explained. "Life, however, intervened, and as a single parent, I was never able to create my art on a full-time basis."

Changing careers at midlife is no small feat, and switching to one with substantially less earning potential is more difficult still. According to Randy Miller, founder and president of ReadyMinds, an online career counseling service, downsizing a career can be a source of great anxiety.

Yet for some people, any fear or hesitation is mitigated by the yearning to follow a dream. Seeking more spiritually uplifting endeavors can be the ultimate challenge, and Miller said any attendant loss of income is often compensated with a renewed sense of purpose and newfound happiness.

"There are a lot of people who go through life and think, 'What if?'" Miller said. "With a strategic plan, coupled with the new passion and ultimate objective of doing something different, one can more easily achieve their ultimate goals."

Mary Ahern had dabbled in art for many years, but had never been able to actually make a career of it. Until four years ago, that is, when she made the switch to full-time artist.

The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.Newsday.com/business/ny-bzcov05,0,4487184.story

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About ReadyMinds

Founded in 1997, ReadyMinds owns and operates readyminds.com and is a privately held company that has emerged as the leading global provider of distance career counseling and training services. The ReadyMinds' distance career counseling process was initially designed with the assistance of business leaders and career-counseling experts to help individuals focus on their career planning and develop action plans to achieve their immediate career goals. In addition to the counseling of individuals, the ReadyMinds Training Division provides global training opportunities for counselors seeking to further enhance their professional development in the area of distance counseling. ReadyMinds abides by the guidelines set forth by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); the NBCC Code of Ethics and the Standards for the Ethical Practice of Web Counseling. For more information on the company, please visit http://www.readyminds.com.