I'm on my third career change after having switched careers three years ago to become a pilot. Then the economy went bust and my pilot career ended even before it got started.
I'm now doing a Certified Financial Planner program at a local university and looking to get my MBA. In the meantime I have two part-time jobs (one of which is as a CFI).
How did I decide on financial planning over dentistry? I have three categories of books in my library at home: history/politics, aviation, and finance/economics. Then I recognized that I really like money and watching it grow, so why not go into finance.
A great resource is the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. This publication really helped me pick a career that fit my needs. It covers things like:
- training and education needed
- earnings
- expected job prospects
- what workers do on the job
- working conditions
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
Check it out and see if dentistry from day one of school to full swing career is for you.