Careers can change several times in a person’s life. When it does happen, the transition can be difficult.

The Office of MBA programs and the NIU College of Business Rockford alumni club is sponsoring a panel discussion called, “Career Transitions: Managing Your Career in Times of Change,”at 6 p.m. Wednesday, at NIU-Rockford, 850 State St. in Rockford.

“We are going to focus on issues regarding movement and changing from one career to the next,” said Terry Bishop, moderator and associate professor of management. “It can be stressful.”

No matter what the change is, whether it’s as dramatic as going from education to sales, or a small change like going from technology to management, people have to be prepared for the variety of changes.

“People need to spend more time planning,” Bishop said. “If they’re aware, they’re more likely to be set for change. It’ll make it easier.”

This panel discussion is one of the colloquiums MBA students are required to attend and it’s a way for the Alumni Club to offer services for alums.

Bishop will open up the floor with comments and questions and the audience will be welcomed to participate.

The panel will include Christine Beck, senior vice president of Human Resources of Alpine Bank; Tom Furst, president of Furst Group; Jim Hailey, human resource manager for Pacific Scientific and John Lutz, former CEO and president of Elco Industries.

“We picked people that members of the alumni group knew as experts,” alumni relations coordinator Sue Braffet said. “We have people from different areas, with different issues and different perspectives.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, said Mona Salmon, assistant director of Evening MBA in business.

“It’s a good topic for students to look into,” Salmon said. “They’ll discuss issues on how to prepare for lay-offs.”

It’s a free event and seats are still available. To RSVP, call (800) 323-8714.