I'm a mid-career chemist who has worked in the same organization for the past ten years. Throughout most of my career I have loved my work and looked forward to going to work each day. For the past six months I have been experiencing a total lack of enthusiasm and I'm not sure what to do about this situation. When I think about looking for a new job, nothing of interest comes to mind. What advice can you give me?

Jim R., Saint Paul, Minnesota

I am assuming that you have checked with your physician and that there is no medical reason for your lethargy. First of all, it is not unusual for individuals to have periods of time when they feel they are in a rut and lose interest in their work. When this does occur, it makes sense to pay attention to our feelings and try to sort things out. In many cases, such an experience can ultimately lead to a healthy career adjustments and positive change.

There are a number of resources available that might be useful to you as you examine your career situation. Naturally, what works for one person may not be appealing to another. Please understand that your journey may require a fair amount of trial and error and that this is part of any important renewal process.

• Work with a career consultant. Try to find one who is sensitive to what you are experiencing and uses a variety of creative exercises. I would be cautious of working with someone who relies exclusively on testing. There are career consultants who work exclusively with mid-career professionals and will promote this specialty in their collateral materials, website and advertising.

• Join a facilitated group of mid-career professionals focused on career issues. Check with your local adult education center to find such a group or the behavioral medicine department at a local hospital. It can be quite supportive to meet with people who are experiencing similar career challenges. The strength and insights you gain from such a group can propel you into surprising opportunities.

• Research the possibility of returning to school on a part-time basis. Last week I attended a celebration for a class of mid-career physicians who had recently completed a two-year masters program in healthcare. The program required them to devote one weekend every eight weeks for a two-year period. This unique design allowed them to continue their careers while gaining new and valuable skills. The comments of these individuals, on the life-changing result of their experiences, were truly inspiring. There are a number of creatively designed programs available for the mid-career professional. The variety of programs is much wider than it was even five years ago. Don't consider an MBA degree, for example, as your only option. Do your homework and be open and flexible.

You may not want to do any of the above. Sometimes reading can be the catalyst for new career ideas. If you would like a bibliography on career issues, send me an email at .