OT - Anyone have any advice for a career change?

Jeepster47

@UncleFred ... great advice ... very well stated.

theyolksonyou

@UncleFred‌

my favorite line "Then show your plan to people whose opinion you value/trust (therefore you shouldn't post it here!)" )

@TigerTony‌ thank you, but I'm a mere novice.

johnkitchens

I have changed careers before. I have an accounting degree, but I quickly realized I hated the job. It was a sad day when I had to admit that to myself, but I was miserable. 

I worked as an accountant at a CPA firm for 18 months until I was able to get out. Those were 18 of the most miserable months of my life. I honestly didn't know what I wanted to do, but I knew what I didn't want to do. 

I took a job in finance at a manufacturing company. That was a lot better than accounting, but I still wasn't happy. 6 months to the day after I got that job the same company offered me a job in purchasing. I knew nothing at all about purchasing, and I told them that. 

They wanted me because of my "accounting background". When I started that job I felt like I was at home. I loved it. I loved spending time in the plant and dealing with my vendors etc. 

After a couple of years I changed jobs and went to another manufacturer as a GM. I have been here almost 18 years, and I have worked my way up to VP. I love what I do, and I wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't for that accounting job that I hated so much. 

Maybe you can use your current background and experience to put you on the path to your dream job. It took me a while to do it, but it worked for me. 

Zmokin

rtt121 said:

I think I am ready for something completely different.   Anyone ever do complete career change?  Any advice?  

I'm unemployed with 30+ years experience in Electronics.  I'm not willing to re-locate which is having an impact on me finding a new job.  I'm contemplating a career change as well.  I'm considering becoming a college professor, but I haven't actually made any moves toward that goal yet.

So while I can't provide advice, I do know that many people do change careers.  Have you figured out what you want to be when you grow up?  For me, the answer is retired, but I think I still need to work another 10-13 years before I retire.

dldawes1

Graduated high school in 1979 as a journeyman electrician. Worked industrial electrical construction until age 36. Started at Dow Corning as a maintenance electrician for 3 years, moved to instrumentation technician for 7 years, now I have been an analyzer technician for 7 years. I love it where I am now.....electronics, computers, chromatography, and chemistry...what a combination !!!!

I also went back to school in 2005 and got my Assoc. in Business, my Bachelors in Human Services Management, and my Masters in Psychology (to be used in my drug and alcohol addiction ministry through my church). I've been teaching, ministering, and counseling for 15 years.

You can do anything you want to if you just go for it !!!!!!

dldawes1

^^^^^^^^ Pretty good 1K post....but nothing egg related !!!!!!

UncleFred

dldawes1 said:

^^^^^^^^ Pretty good 1K post....but nothing egg related !!!!!!

Well lets see.... when starting a new job should you start at the bottom or the top?

Jeremiah

^^ some people would begin that new job by attempting to tell all his new coworkers that even though he is brand new there, he already knows much more than all of them based on his own sound reasoning. :-\"

rtt121

Jeremiah said:

^^ some people would begin that new job by attempting to tell all his new coworkers that even though he is brand new there, he already knows much more than all of them based on his own sound reasoning. :-\"

Its funny you say that.  There was another thread where this guy Matee wouldn't stop with some silly business about burning all your lump before you try to burn it.

Jeremiah

rtt121 said:

Jeremiah said:

^^ some people would begin that new job by attempting to tell all his new coworkers that even though he is brand new there, he already knows much more than all of them based on his own sound reasoning. :-\"

Its funny you say that.  There was another thread where this guy Matee wouldn't stop with some silly business about burning all your lump before you try to burn it.



=D> :-\"

gabriegger

Quit that excuse for getting out of bed. Pick up a musical instrument and hit the road. Worked for me.

JohnInCarolina

Good luck - these kind of "fork in the road" decisions can be agonizing.  I received some words of wisdom a long time ago that I'm happy to pass along.  

"In life, you have choices.  You have to trust that the ones you make are the right ones at the time, because they probably are."  

theyolksonyou

^^^ our CEO, who is the tightest man alive! and also a billionaire says his dad, the previous CEO, said, " If given a choice take it!" He wants everything.

SGH

TylerA said:

Would you be willing to relocate?  If so, you may want to consider a job in the oilfield.  Great pay and benefits, but you will have to work a lot of hours.  

So true. I acquired everything that I own by working for the oil and power industry. Mostly the oil industry. However the long hours rob you of a lot of your life. Looking back, I would probably do it again though.

SGH

Fred19Flintstone said:

I want to be a scientist and get a grant studying VOCs from charcoal as burned from the bottom of the pile versus the top of the pile. After I figure that out, I'll study the difference between soaking and not soaking smoke wood. After that maybe the mysteries of fat side up or down. Now, where to send my resume....hmmm.

Forward that resume to me. I will hook you up

SloppyJoe

Have you considered becoming a sloppy man whore?

Little Steven

I think Uncle Fred had great insight. I've been in my own business for 35 years. As I approach retirement I think back on a job I turned down that would have had me living on a great pension almost ten years ago. The long hours and stress are a really important consideration if you consider being self-employed.

Coastalcooker

After 27 years with a national company, I got called to the office. Just like in high school. This time I left with eight weeks severance and no job. I spent a few weeks before I really got serious and then found work in construction industry. I do not dig holes or drive nails.
My years of computer hardware experience translated nicely to troubleshooting modern computer controlled jails, designing, building and installing custom electronic systems. I worked largely in institutions who could afford first class systems. It was interesting, but the time came to start a business. The depression or recession or whatever you call it was on its way. Our customers were starting to feel the pinch and our income went down. Our major costs increased.
After looking at investment income I decided we could do about as well retired.
My first move was not by choice, the other two were.
Move soon,older people are seen as less productive by some employers.
Best of luck
Bob