If you're in a dead-end job or concerned about your career growth potential, now may be a good time to look into furthering your education or training. The education requirements necessary to advance in your current field or transition into a new career vary by field but often include getting a program certificate or an associate's or bachelor's degree. Most of these education requirements can be completed online, so you can keep your day job while preparing for your new one.

When switching careers, it's important to consider occupations that are likely to see employment growth. Some of the occupations with the largest projected employment growth over the next decade are in the healthcare, education, and information technology industries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010–2011 edition.