Even if you don't have work experience in that specific industry, you still have work experience. You still are able to say that you know the value of ethical and moral behaviour within a work environment. The skills that you have developed while in the field that you despise are valuable to many other industries. All companies that I see advertise in many different industries ask for the same basic computer knowledge: Word, WordPerfect, Excel; you may even see Powerpoint and Outlook. Obviously, you are not going to be familiar with their specific company owned computer programs, but with your previous working history, you are a good candidate for training on them.

With your present and past work expereince, you can state that you have had to meet deadlines, stay within specific timeframes and guidelines. You have experienced the different personality types that come with actually working as opposed to sitting in a classroom and listening to the professor. In short, you know what the meaning of working is and that is sometimes the most important factor in securing a job in any field, whether it be the one you are in or a change in careers.

Perhaps, you could consider taking a few courses in the field that interests you. For example: if you are interested in switching to the medical field you might take a few courses in medical terminology or coding and billing. Even just reading up on the subject that interests you may help with getting your foot in the door. You can include in your cover letter that "while you have no practical experience in medical coding, you are knowledgable about the field as you have studied it through books, magazines and articles directly associated with the subject."

It definately isn't an easy job to switch careers, so don't give up an actual money getting career until you have figured out what you want to switch to and have secured a position in that new industry.