Stebbins, Robert A.Mellor, Brian E.2017-12-182017-12-182006http://hdl.handle.net/1880/101722Bibliography: p. 168-172There has been a modest amount of current academic research that has explored the family, situational, lifestyle, demographic, motivational, and/or life course factors that influence people in midlife to change professions. The findings expressed in this study came about through the use of an inductive grounded theory approach to analyze semi-structured interviews with former lawyers and educators who left their professions and are now engaged in unrelated careers. Major findings include: the motivations for why people leave their first careers; the link between the professional, personal, and family spheres of one 's life; the importance of spousal support and security; the transitional process undergone; the consequences of a career change on the family; and the types of new careers that were pursued. Overall, this study discusses how the lines between work, leisure, family, and lifestyle are blurred when people are successful in the proactive pursuit of a new and desirable career.x, 176 leaves ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/721