Career Change Stories

[Coach1310]

I know this is a weird, strange request, but I am considering a big career change that requires schooling, new arena, new challenges etc. Just curious as to others that have experienced this and taken the plunge. Anyone have any "I would absolutely do it again because of this, this, this..." or "It was great" or "I wouldn't recommend for this..." Any info would be helpful.

in case in matters... I do have 3 children and am in my 30s so it is a bit more difficult than if I didn't have anyone to provide for.... Thank you!

[Scott K]

Coach, I made a career change about 5 years ago. Same field, but a different career. I was in my mid thirties at the time. I went from a good paying physical labor job, to a much more relaxed, less paying job. Some of it was because of health reasons. I am glad I did, I am making less money, but I am much happier, and less worn out every day. I would do it again in a heart beat. If for some reason it doesnt work out for you, you can always fall back on what you did before.

FYI, I also have 3 kids to support, and was very scary doing it at the time.

[chasineyes]

I was in the Hospitality Industry for 10 years and quit one day and went to work at a machine shop. Got my 2 year degree while working nights and now have the best job ever (product development specialist). What I'm learning as I get older (38) is that life is NO GUARANTEE. Take chances and see what happens! I have A LOT of respect for people who say screw it and move, change careers, start a business, change lifestyles etc.etc..

Good Luck!!

[TooTallTom]

It's pretty tough to gauge your results/ satisfaction for something like a career change from what others have done. But, it can be reassuring to know that others (many others) have done a 180* switch mid-life, and you can too.

Just make sure your eyes are wide open regarding what you hope to accomplish with the change, and what reasonable expectations are for life after you make your change. I'm talking everything from day-to-day job satisfaction, long term physical/ mental/ emotional wear (like 4wanderingeyes was getting at), personal financial health immediately and long-term, long term company and industry outlook (Do you expect the industry go the way of clothing or lots of other U.S. manufacturing, or the way of elder care?), your desire for the "other" industry/ career (Will you often stay awake at night wondering what if?), and many other things. I'm a big fan of a list/ writing everything down to try and keep it organized.

If everything looks good and you're likely to see improvements greater than the costs, jump on it!

Whatever you decide, I hope it works out very well for you.

Tom.

[upnorth]

OK in my 20s I worked as a Machinist, switched to working as a supervisor/manager in a knitting mill, then went to school for IT. Last one was in my late 30s early 40s. All have been drivem by poor economy and changing job market. Change is not a bad thing as long as you are changing to something you like to do and are good at. All 3 times we had kids at home. Cripes I am 54 and with a merger buyout coming where I work now I may be pounding the streets again. Life don't come with a guarantee

I can't speak for others, but new challenges can make getting your keister out of bed on the morning and moving a bit more fun and exciting. Some folks just like a new challenge every now and then to shake things up a bit.

[candiru]

I was pretty muched forced to change about 8 years ago. I love my new career. I did a fair amount of research, including visiting a facility where I could be working in my my new career. You ask questions and think of things that you would have never thought of at 18. I make less money but I have good hours, work conditions and don't have to fret the economy. Best of all, I live real close to alot of great hunting and fishing

[dukhntr]

Coach: Go for it! I made a significant career change about 25 years ago. Out of high school, I went to work for Iowa Beef Processors, and was a production meat cutter, then foreman then assistant general foreman etc. By my 30's I needed to find something else. I went back to collecge, got a degree in accounting, and then to law school. 20+ years later practicing law, and lovin' every minute of it!

Go for it!

dukhntr

[Jim Almquist]

It was not really my plan to change jobs but the changes in technology have made my old job sort of obsolete. Right now I am through my first year of college and will graduate next spring. Going back to school at 53 is sort of strange but you would be surprised at how many people are getting re-educated for a new career. I don't know if there will be a job out there when I graduate but half of the class that graduated this year had job offers back in January.

[5crows]

Since your questioning the path you're on, might mean you need to be on one less traveled.

Hindsights twenty, twenty.

To many clich'es, people sing and make up sayings about this stuff, lol.

Should I stay or should I go now, If I stay it will be trouble, if I go it will be double.

The futures so bright, I got to wear shades.

It's a workin world.

The devil you know or the one you dont.

Look hard at your strengths and the reasons you want the change. Not job strengths but inner strengths. The fact your questioning means you got reasons. You might find you're back in the same boat in in a few years.

I stuck it out in same field, the workaholic chasing the carrot, ignoring marriage and family at times for the paycheck and rewards of employment. Now I can be depressed in a better neighborhood though, lol.

The forks in the road are important. Look at what you learned to get there, remembering where you've been. That's about all you can do.

The cards get dealt, hold'em or fold'em. You'll do fine.

[Dave S]

I've been laid off from my job in Shakopee for 2 weeks now and have been looking at job boards every day. I don't intend to get back into the same trade and hope to find something that closely matches what I last did at my previous employer. If that doesn't pan out, I plan to go back to school in the fall.

I've thought about becoming self employed but just don't care to take that leap of faith just yet.

[RumRiverRat]

I gave up a job making 30 bucks an hour to go back to school to become a CNC Machinist.

I did this 2.5 years ago.

I have been working as a CNC apprentice since October of 2009 and going to school.

I work 3 12's and a 10 for a 46 hour week plus all the OT I want to work on Friday and Saturday.

With a 2 year old son and a 5 month old daughter I would be missing so much if I was still a UPS Driver.

Once I am done with school my schedule will be less crazy.

When I graduate from school I will be making about 6 bucks an hour less than I was at UPS.

But having a set schedule and being able to have family time is so worth it.

Career changes are scary, it has been a struggle for me. But I absolutely love what I do now.

The feeling you get when you finally doing something that is rewarding and challenging all at the same time is priceless.

The greatest rewards in life usually involve taking the largest risk of your life.

Go big or go home!

[Scott K]

Well said RumRiverRat! Money isnt the only thing! I switched careers knowing I was going to take a huge pay cut, and I did take a huge pay cut (about 30k a yr). I am very glad I switched, and would do it again in a heart beat.

[Powerstroke]

I've also made several small changes in my career path and recently completed my 2-year degree so I can make a complete job change.

After working in labor jobs for 10yrs I decided to go back to school at night to get my degree so I could follow my dream job. I worked full time and went to school at night. I did a 2yr degree in 3.5yrs and I couldn't be happier. I am trying to find a job in my new field and that's not easy, but I am happier now trying to find a new job then I was before I went back to school.

You have to know your reasons and have reasonable expectations. If you think its something you want to do and you think you will meet all your needs (physical, emotional and financial), then go for it. If something is missing, find out what you need to do to make it work.

I will likely take a pay cut. I took a paycut to make my career changes 6 years ago when I changed employers in the same field. SInce then my job has changed again and I'm making more money, but its not what I want to do for the next 20yrs.

All of that and I'm only 31. I've been working more years of my life than I have not worked. All that being said, make sure you have a retirement plan/goal in mind. You can never think about it too early. The real goal is to get to a place in life where we don't have to work unless we want to.

[Coach1310]

Thanks for all the responses.... It is good to know others have done it and it has tuned out well... It will be a battle and grind the next couple of years but the end result should be more than worth it.

Thanks again for the stories....

[Kettle]

Relatively young at 24, but I have a similar story. I did what was called PSEO is high school, it is where you skip your jr. and sr. year and go to college instead, get college credits and get your HS diploma at the same time. I ended up with a degree from the tech college in drafting and estimating by the time i was 18, sat at a desk for 3 years, 40 + hrs a week, great pay, great benefits and good money. I hated every minute of it, at 21 saw a house start on fire, saw the fire dept come out, thought hey I think that would fit me, ended up getting my emt then just finished up paramedic this spring, work for two ambulance services, volunteer fire dept and fire for the dnr, I stay busy but enjoy life, not much money but happy. Sold my hunting gear and my truck to afford school, moved back into the folks house for a year, it was tough, took a huge toll on my relationship with my fiance' trying to fix the shambles it is in, but when I'm at work, I'm happy and it feels so natural to me. I can only recommend that you sit down with your significant other and discuss how a schedule would work. Do your best to set aside a few hours a week, for fun, this means no work no school no yard work, and if you go through with it, remember why you are doing it and stick to the grind. Education is a fantastic thing.

Kettle

[Scott K]

24, and very wise! Well said Kettle!

[pushbutton]

After being a professional college student for 6 years i started out in life with my fancy degrees fixing up houses and formed a commercial landscape company. After 7 years of beating up my body, started day trading and set up a salon for my girlfriend. After about 3 more years actually went to hair school and started doing hair myself. Now 10 years later just bought a step van and looking at starting up a food truck. The moral of my story is not that i have ADHD(which is entirely possible), rather do not get stuck in a rut, change and adapt. Sometimes do what you want to; sometimes do what you have to, regardless, do what you do well and things will work out. As 4waderingeyes mentioned, while money is important, it is not everything. Because of the worsening economy and personal choice to spend a majority of my time raising my son, I make a boatload less money than i used to; but could not be happier. Wish i could change that work with with the (ex) girlfriend thing though Good luck!

[Glockwinger]

39 years old and working on a master's degree in management. Making about 50k a year, but work nights and weekends and I'm not sure about my future advancement opportunities where I am at or if it is the right line of work for me. Next March when I am done with my degree I'll have some decisions to make. Doing a lot of soul searching right now. I completely understand your thoughts Coach, you aren't alone!

[Dave S]

They were talking about degrees and pay last night on the news. According to their report, 25% of people with a 4 year degree make less than some people with a 2 year associates degree.

Quite honestly, there are a lot of companies who're low-balling their wages to people with a BA/[PoorWordUsage] degree simply because the labor pool is over flowing with the unemployed right now. There's a lot to choose from.

[upnorth]

A lot of pay depends on the field and a persons experience, expertise, and a persons work ethic. I have a 2 yr degree do pretty darn well money wise and have been recruited by a few companies.

[laportian]

I am almost 42 and am relatively happy at what I do. I am an employment counselor who is on the verge of a layoff if the state shuts down. I do about 44k a year and I have awesome benefits. Prior to this I worked in the logging/forest developement field for 15 years.I miss that work alot but it was a never ending boom or bust cycle for me finacially. Towards the end I was actually only making money during the winter months and just barely scraping by the rest of the year. I sort of just Forest Gumped my way into my current job and have stuck with it. Aside with working with a few nut jobs I think I will probably retire doing this. Oh and this whole layoff deal will really test me. I can draw unemployment and I got a part time gig checking boats for invasives that will help. But yeah change is good.

[rundrave]

A lot of pay depends on the field and a persons experience, expertise, and a persons work ethic. I have a 2 yr degree do pretty darn well money wise and have been recruited by a few companies.

I am in the same boat with upnorth. Fortunately, I think both of us are in I.T. and having a 2yr degree has never slowed me down.

[Sonicrunch]

your strengths and your passion are where you will find your happiness.