A new survey found that as many as 72 percent of Chinese employees want to change their career paths in the next five years. Have you ever experienced or are you planning a career change? China Daily mobile news readers share their views.

In my opinion, it is understandable to change one's career path since people have become less satisfied with their current condition and more willing to set foot in fields they have never experienced before. But I think it does not necessarily mean that one may be more competent in a different career. Finding what one is truly interested in is most critical.

Elaine W, Wuhu, Anhui province

I thought it was enough to find a job I liked and earn a decent salary when I first entered the workforce. However, harsh reality has brought about many problems I could not handle, such as home loans and inflation. Only now have I realized how little money I have earned and how naive my thinking used to be. Therefore, I have decided to change my career for my family and a better life.

Anning, Shenzhen, Guangzhou province

I have thought about changing my job before because in the beginning I worked without considering whether or not I liked the job. But later I changed my mind and stayed at my original job because I must be responsible for my family. It is too risky to change my career path.

A reader, Chongqing

I have successfully changed from a teacher to the boss of a training organization. Though I have made enough physical and mental preparation, I have suffered all kinds of difficulties. The motivation for me to change my job was to build a career and make some achievements for myself instead of working for others.

A reader, Nanjing, Jiangsu province

Though it is hard for me to change my job as a civil servant, I still think one needs to prepare for such changes. My way is to make full use of my spare time to pursue a postgraduate degree, obtain a certificate or study different majors, which can both elevate my competence for my current work and prepare me for the future.

A reader, Beijing

It would be a good choice for one to change his career if one finds the current work does not suit his personal character or is reduced to this work due to hard life conditions. However, for many people, the job they have engaged in is always what they are most capable of and suits their strengths. It would bring no good to them if they do not make use of their own advantages and blindly follow the crowd to change their career path. It is better to endeavor to better what one is best at.

Yiyang, Hunan province

I just made a career change earlier this year. I accumulated lots of experience in the previous industry I worked in, which has been helpful in the new one. It is part of my professional plan to change my career path instead of basing my decision on higher salary only. I think people should not be bound to a specific industry, so to some extent it is a kind of liberation to change career paths.

Zhuang Shixing, Shanghai

(China Daily 09/19/2011 page9)