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If you’ve ever taken a long road trip, you know how important it is to do some serious planning before you grab the steering wheel and head out on the highway. Your preparation can determine whether you drive on smooth roads, see the sites, stay at nice inns and eat good meals—or wind up on a bumpy road to headache and heartburn. In the recareering arena, traveling from Point A to Point B requires a career map that leads you to your destination with a minimum of detours and breakdowns.  Those who spend the time and energy developing a plan are likely to experience a smoother and more enjoyable journey. Let’s look at how you can move your career planning initiative into the fast lane.

 Use Social networking sites. A virtual network can pay enormous dividends. For example, LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)  allows you to build a professional network by, you guessed it, linking to others but also viewing their circle of trusted individuals. The idea is that by establishing groups of professional colleagues, it’s possible to create connections that lead to jobs, new clients, business opportunities and more. However, just as it takes time to build a network in the physical world, you must lay the foundation in the virtual world before you need it. Other services, including, ZoomInfo.com and Congoo.com, let you create or edit a profile and search for job leads. Recruiters often use it to spot job candidates. Also, don't overlook Twitter and Facebook. More than a few job offers and professional connections have taken place at these sites.

Connect with a corporate alumni group. More than 500 major companies and organizations now operate alumni groups in one form or another. The list includes Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and Ernst & Young. Those belonging to an alumni group find that staying in touch with former colleagues often generates new business, enhances networking opportunities and sometimes leads to a new job. Corporate alumni networks operate in much the same way as university alumni groups. Participants hold regular events and meetings, host job-referral programs, publish alumni directories, offer professional training sessions and provide career-placement services. Some groups encourage former employees to attend meetings, parties and other functions that keep them tuned into business developments and industry trends. And many now use newsletters, Websites and social networking tools to ratchet up interaction. You can find more information about corporate alumni groups at: www.corporatealumni.com.

Get involved with an industry association or local business group. Joining a professional organization—and participating in it (especially volunteering to serve on a committee or chair a committee) will likely raise your profile among colleagues and prospective employers. Moreover, attending meeting, mixers and others events will likely make you more visible to others. Although this approach often works best for individuals looking to find a new job in the same field, it can also open up new career vistas—particularly among those looking to reinvent themselves or build on their talents. Another possibility: join your local Chamber of Commerce and get to know others in your community. This approach is particularly effective if you’re considering opening your own business. You’re likely to find instant customers and also find businesses that cater to your  needs.

Look for fast track opportunities.  In a few professions it’s now possible to use existing education, experience and knowledge to transition to a new career—without facing the usual litany of requirements. For example, alternative certification has become commonplace in the teaching arena. Twenty percent of today’s teaching force is comprised of novice teachers from alternative route programs, according to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). These programs are designed to fill shortages in key areas, such as math, science, special education, and English as a Second Language (ESL). In many cases, they require only a bachelor’s degree and additional coursework, which an individual can tackle part-time and online. This makes it possible to prepare for a career change while working in an existing job or profession. An organization such as the National Center for Alternative Certification (www.teach-now.org) can put you on the right track. In addition, private schools often hire teachers based on experience rather than certifications and credentials, and most schools hire substitutes without  requiring teaching credentials.