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- Thread starter Mtowncyclone13
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If I were to guess not that many change careers unless forced to either by the economy or extreme unhappiness. Directly out of college I worked at our families business and focused on learning the ins-and-outs for 4-5 years. For reasons I won't say here, I decided to leave the family business and embark on a new journey. I've very happy with where I am and what I'm doing. The largest downfall is that directly out of college I would have been one of the youngest in the business. I could have 10 years of experience and be making double my current salary. Instead, I'm still in the entry level position with fresh graduates 8-10 years younger than myself. I'm extremely confident both my net worth and cash flow would be double what it is today had I stayed put. I've accepted this reality. Anyone that isn't being forced to make a change, I suggest fully thinking through all the realities of the change you are making. If you decide its what you want to do, go for it. It can be done.
Yeah, I get that. It's been my hangup for a couple years now. I guess it depends on how you feel about what you do now. If it's tolerable then it's all good. But if you aren't happy then knowing what you don't want to do is every bit as important as knowing what you do want. At some point you just have to take the leap.
In 2015 I got laid off from a finance position at a utility company. After 20 years of doing so, there and one other place, I decided I was not going to sit in a "cubicle farm" again and was going to do something for myself. As some of you know, I've been selling insurance since then.
It will probably take me another year or so to get back to where I was income-wise and it is hard work but I feel like it's an industry where you only get paid what you're worth and I am slowly but surely getting to where I want to be. I couldn't have done it without a spouse with a good career as well.
I'm still in the building phase of my career change, but I think in a couple years when I look back I will be very glad I did it. I already am glad I made the change.
It will probably take me another year or so to get back to where I was income-wise and it is hard work but I feel like it's an industry where you only get paid what you're worth and I am slowly but surely getting to where I want to be. I couldn't have done it without a spouse with a good career as well.
I'm still in the building phase of my career change, but I think in a couple years when I look back I will be very glad I did it. I already am glad I made the change.
I desperately need a career change. I really really do not like my job at all. I've been in FInance for 11 years, I don't mind finance, just the current job is terrible. I do not want to be in a big corp anymore. I have no idea what I truly want to do.
I want to do something that helps people but also involves numbers. I like real estate...thought about being an agent but you are essentially working 24/7.
I want to do something that helps people but also involves numbers. I like real estate...thought about being an agent but you are essentially working 24/7.
I'm looking to get into the financial field.
I'm in the industry, but sit in IT.
Starting my MBA in August. Hoping I can get experience in the classroom that will allow me to find a job I like.
I used to be money hungry. But at 32 my perspective has completely changed. I'd take a 25% pay cut for double the vacay time and a phone that didn't ring constantly with work calls in a heartbeat. I'm ready for a change as well, but making it work on the home front with young children will be difficult. I would love to start my own business or become self employed. The thought of answering to me and only me is extremely desireable anymore.
Being someone who was just laid off from a job i hated but made bank this is intriguing to me. It's hard to balance finding work you enjoy though with all the bills we've already accrued. Student loans, the house, the car, wanting to start a family, make this all very difficult.
Btw anyone hiring
Btw anyone hiring
Me and a co worker talk about this all the time . Hard to find out what you'd start a business in especially in a saturated or smaller market .
100% agree. It's hard when you have 401k, extended days off, health insurance, and are well known in a company. I'm not super happy at my job, but I appreciate being able to provide for my family in past, present, and future. Also, I don't think working at Family Video talking about The Big Lebowski all day would be a viable option.
Yeah, well, ya know, that's just like, your opinion man.
I was in a very similar situation - been at the company for 15 years, have a decent chunk in an ESOP account, and could easily have retired at the company. But I wasn't fully satisfied and had some lingering frustrations with the decision making. I poked around a little and found what I thought to be the perfect opportunity for me. And it was still very difficult to make the decision to leave. But I did in March and I'm happier than ever, making more money with less frustrations.
My advice - take your time, look around, and see if there is something that is a perfect fit for you elsewhere. If not, stay at your current place.
The golden handcuffs. I've REALLY wanted to start my own thing over the past 5-6 years but could never get over the things you outlined. I've had plenty of startup ideas but could never pull the trigger. Ultimately, getting into real estate and rental properties has been a nice way to feed that desire over the past several years.
My plan is to work my ass off for the next 3-5-10 years and then go out on my own.
I graduated from ISU in 1976 to go into broadcasting. However, those were the days when the big push was on to hire minorities and women in radio and T.V. because they had been shut out of those jobs up until then. So that just never worked out for me. In my late 20's I tried insurance sales with Farm Bureau but I failed miserably. I couldn't take all the rejection. After 4 years of that I took what I knew about insurance and became a claim adjuster which lasted over 30 years. I'm not a risk taker so I always wanted the security of a job with benefits.
My wife however had been a supervisor over the Admin team with a couple of different insurers. Her position was eliminated 3 months before my daughter was born so she just took a couple years off. But then the opportunity came about to buy a staffing agency where she had once worked. She did that for 20 years and retired, selling her business for a substantial profit. So she took that risk and it paid off. But, she is a very good manager and great with people.
Finally, and this is not a career change, but my daughter came out of college a few years ago and could go to work for someone if she chose, but instead she decided to just open her own business from the start at age 22. I was like, "No, no, no, take the safe route, get a job first and ease into your profession. But my wife was all, "You can do it! Go for it!" So 4 years later she is having great success, but again she had great skills, is very organized and detail-oriented.
So I guess the key is to know what your tolerance is for risk, and know if you have the drive and can deal with the problems and challenges that are sure to come up. I made a good living and liked what I did, but I played it safe, which was my choice and I have no regrets.
My wife however had been a supervisor over the Admin team with a couple of different insurers. Her position was eliminated 3 months before my daughter was born so she just took a couple years off. But then the opportunity came about to buy a staffing agency where she had once worked. She did that for 20 years and retired, selling her business for a substantial profit. So she took that risk and it paid off. But, she is a very good manager and great with people.
Finally, and this is not a career change, but my daughter came out of college a few years ago and could go to work for someone if she chose, but instead she decided to just open her own business from the start at age 22. I was like, "No, no, no, take the safe route, get a job first and ease into your profession. But my wife was all, "You can do it! Go for it!" So 4 years later she is having great success, but again she had great skills, is very organized and detail-oriented.
So I guess the key is to know what your tolerance is for risk, and know if you have the drive and can deal with the problems and challenges that are sure to come up. I made a good living and liked what I did, but I played it safe, which was my choice and I have no regrets.
Depending on the field, you can make some pretty significant changes without having to completely change fields. I'm a Civil Engineer by training. I started my career working for a huge contractor, but doing design work. I had it made: great benefits, good pay in a cheap location, and I was in the exclusive company ownership program. However, I wasn't happy. The company basically owned you and they reminded you of that frequently. My boss was all talk and no action when I asked for a new role. So, I left to go do design for a smaller engineering company. That in and of itself was a big change and ultimately, didn't work out.
The "career change" was to go to work for a different contractor, but as a project manager. It's in the same field, but an entirely different role and skill set. I'm having to learn a lot on the job, but I'm fortunate that this company was willing to put me in a role I wasn't necessarily qualified for, but they are allowing me the space to learn on the job.
Some might see the drastic change as the best way to go, but I would also suggest you consider a smaller step that isn't so drastic. That change could exist without requiring additional training/schooling/pay cut, etc. I will second others in that I have great respect for those who have the strength/courage to step out and make that big change. Kudos to them.
The "career change" was to go to work for a different contractor, but as a project manager. It's in the same field, but an entirely different role and skill set. I'm having to learn a lot on the job, but I'm fortunate that this company was willing to put me in a role I wasn't necessarily qualified for, but they are allowing me the space to learn on the job.
Some might see the drastic change as the best way to go, but I would also suggest you consider a smaller step that isn't so drastic. That change could exist without requiring additional training/schooling/pay cut, etc. I will second others in that I have great respect for those who have the strength/courage to step out and make that big change. Kudos to them.
I experienced this myself. I didn't change careers but did change positions. After years of upper management, I took a voluntary step down for less pay, more vacation flexibility and way less headaches. Having two young kids changed my perspective on working long hours and bringing work home with me. While kids require both time and income, I think there is a certain income level where time becomes more important than more money.
I am looking at possibly switching careers and Insurance is something I was looking into. I sent you a PM.
I don't know this guy from Adam, but I kind of think he's living right.
https://durangoherald.com/articles/176054-navajo-state-park-volunteer-terry-zink-hits-20000-hours
