As the New Year rolls through, many of us are taking this time to take good long look at our lives to find ways we can improve ourselves. For many us, that means making changes to the way we make our money. Taking 2012 to change careers isn’t necessarily an easy task but if you succeed in starting down a new path, it’s worth it. Here are three tips for changing your career this year:

Research, Research and Research Again.
There is no better way to prepare for a big change in career than to do your research. Just make sure you’re getting your information from reputable sources. Check with the professional organization for that industry and any schools that train people going into that industry. These organizations will have credible information about breaking into that field and open the door to even more sources of information.

Find a Mentor.
At some point, you have to get off the Internet and go do something in person. Find someone in the industry who is interested in helping a  newbie get started. Most people are happy to help someone with a genuine passion for their industry. Again, make sure it’s someone reputable in the field who you can trust to mold you.

Act Like You’re Already There.
Everyone’s heard that age old advice “Dress like you already have the job you want.” Well, if you’re trying to change careers, it should be more like “Live like you already  have the job you want.” That doesn’t mean you should start spending money like you’re a lawyer or doctor already. It means that if there are networking opportunities for your new industry, start going to them now. Dress like you’re already entered your new career now when you’re networking or meeting with your mentor. If your new career requires a certain exercise regime or physical activity, start working on it now.