By C.J. Liu

As a career coach, I have noticed over the last year that many of my clients found a silver lining in the down economy. They used it as an opportunity to change their career. The slowdown allowed for introspection on their overall happiness level at work and they made useful discoveries.

For most people, the roadblock to happiness at work is lacking clarity about what job they'd rather be doing. Sometimes, all a person knows is that they don't like their current job. I believe that the way around this roadblock is a study of the heart's desire. While logical analysis can play a role, it's only part of the solution to the problem.

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

At some point in their lives, most people will make at least one career change. It might be a slight adjustment, like to a different position within the company. Or, it might be a colossal change, to a completely different industry or sector.

Whatever the change may be, make sure you're ready for it. Check out the following successful career changes and see how these people made their dreams come true.

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

In today's economy, personal and professional failures are abundant. Personally, we're tired of hearing bad news. Instead, we wanted to know how people have stayed relevant and successful.

Here's what we found out:

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

Today's economy has compelled job seekers to do some crazy things: standing on street corners wearing billboards advertising their unemployment, sending gifts to hiring managers, applying down for entry-level positions, or even switching careers entirely.

But you know what's really crazy? None of those things are that crazy at all. In fact, each of those things is a pretty smart move -- especially the latter.

By Amber Johnson

As five success stories unfold in five hot industries, they seem completely different. Construction and children's books? Medicine, radio, and design? But take a closer look and you'll see these career paths have a lot in common. These folks had passion, seized opportunities, and worked from the bottom up – some without relying on a four-year degree.