Career/Job change advice

[buster]

I'd like to know how many on here have made a career/job move in their life? It seems in today's world, job change is frequent. I'm in a tough position right now. I graduated from Rutgers with just a degree in Economics. Never really found something I was truly passionate about so I settled with that. I currrently work for a financial firm in Princeton, NJ. It's a good company, but I'm just not happy anymore. I can't get into the work I do. Pay is good and so are the benefits, but I just don't want to stay unhappy at this job.

My wife is the career oriented one. She will be going to Medical School in about 3 years. She works for a Hosptital in Philadelphia currently and loves her job. She is driven to become a doctor. At 28 years old, I have no specific direction I want to go in. I was even thinking of going back to school at night. I have no mortgage or kids so now is the time IMO, to make a move. What do you guy's think? My biggest fear is the whole "the grass ISN'T greener on the other side" perspective. While my job has some very positive things about it, and my work friends are great, I'm not sure that is enough to keep me there. It's a tough decision. And like most human beings, I don't like change. The company is going through a very massive internal restructuring also, and that hasn't helped me any.

 

[michaelc80]

Only you can decide if a career change is right for you. However, I made one about 10 years ago, and it was the best thing I ever did for myself. I went from a field that I didn't care much about to one that started as a hobby for me. Now I look forward to going to work everyday and wouldn't want to do anything else.

It boils down to a choice between staying at a job you're unhappy with, or doing something that you have a passion for. I chose the latter.

You're also only 28 so you have time to go back to school if you need to. I made my change in my early 30's, and after lot's of night school it was a few years before I could break into my new career field.

My personal opinion-do what you're passionate about. Don't worry about the money-if you are passionate about what you do the money will follow.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Buster, I really wish there was some help here. If you sit down and analyze why your unhappy, that may be the place to start.

Is it the work, your co-workers, the hours, the commute?

Could it be that your suffering from a mid winter depression that will pass.

Your wife is lucky that she knows exactly what she wants. I hope she is not disappointed when she arrives.

Most people want satisfaction from their work, very few get it.

I had to give up my dream of being a rock star. My new dream is that I will be a country music star (too old for American Idol)

I would talk with your wife as she should be the one who knows you best. A pep talk from her and you may conquer the world (if that's what you want).

 

[427Z06]

At 6200+ posts, you might have found your passion. Maybe people like Terry, Molakule, Doug Hillary, FilterGuy, etc, can give you some advice on how to get into an oil related career and where you might fit in given your current skill set. Just a thought.

 

[Pablo]

Car theft is a related industry.

 

[427Z06]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pablo:
Car theft is a related industry.

---

 

[Ugly3]

427Z06 has it exactly correct. You, based on your number of posts, have an interext in oils, cars, helping people, contributng to problem solving, or something. You have to settle in on what you enjoy doing (maybe it's writing how to articles) and develop a plan to turn that into a career.

You are going to be doing whatever you choose for a long time, maybe 40 years, so you better like it. If part of your criteria is to make $$ greater than needed for subsistance I think you are making a mistake.

If you enjoy whatever you choose to do you will be good at it and the $$ will find you. Even if the $$ does not find you, when you are 70 you will look back and say "I didn't get rich but I sure had a good time". There are way too many people earning good wages and not enjoying life, sad, so sad to see a wasted life.

Just make sure you are not in competition with your wife in terms of a career. Some of us think we know the answer and go for it, some take a little longer to get it right. Not a contest.

PS: My secret to a long and happy marriage is for each of you to make sure your partner is happier than you are.

 

[XS650]

Buster, time for some soul searching which you have probably already done.

What drew you to your field in the first place. You must have had a lot of interest in it to go to the effort required to get a degree. Are you doing what you originally wanted to do in your field? If not could you change jobs in your field, possibly within your company and do it?

Is there another field you could get into by getting a graduate degree and leveraging your bachelors degree and experiance?

Is there any job at your company that would satisfy you? If so, and you work for a good company and they think highly of you, they will help you get there.

If you want to get into another field that requires a completely different degree, you at least have a good start and at the least have all the general ed classes out of the way and probably a few others too.

 

[msparks]

Career change is a fact of life.

You should see my resume, at least 10 different jobs, I'm 35, and the first 8 years of my working life were in the Military.

I think I finally found my calling though. Will let you know if it works out in the next 3-5 years!!!

 

[Scooby]

Buster:

Few questions:
1) Do you like working outside?
2) Do you want to do something that involves a "rush"?
3) Do you want a job that provides alot of unexpected circumstances?
4) Do you want a job that provides for immediate gratification like you've never imagined?
5) Do you mind a job that will absolutely break your heart at times and make you question everything?
6) Do you have a strong stomach?
7) Are you in good shape?
8) Do you mind the possibility of dying at a too young age?

If it fits...try being a firefighter!! I don't know where you live in NJ, but possibly close enough to apply with FDNY? I have been a firefighter/ Paramedic for 12 years. I work for a large/ busy career department in metro Atlanta Georgia. I am third generation, and could not imagine doing anything else. The brotherhood is unbelievable, the works is great, but very hard at times. Worst part is seeing children...in bad times. It sure makes you appreciate things because you have seen first hand how things can change in the twinkle of an eye. I kiss my wife and daughter every morning before shift and know it might be the last.

Money: Well, I'm not gonna get rich....monetarily. I make about $55k/ year after 9 years with current department. Cost of living where I live (about 90 miles NE of Atlanta) is lower than most of the country. Salary in the north is greater.

Just something to throw out there.

 

[keith]

I was in a somewhat normal 9-5 kind of job, then transitioned to a position with travel. Hated the travel. Now I work at home, make less money, but am with the wife and kids every day. That's worth a whole lot more to me. Never saw a tombstone that said "Wish I had spent less time with the family". Plus, I like what I do now. It wasn't a complete change in career path, but nearly so.

Along the way, I studied and become a certified teacher and learned to play guitar. Next - maybe learn another foreign language. Definitely want to get a PhD, but too busy right now. Later, I plan to offer private guitar lessons.

It can be all too easy to get into a rut. It can be even easier to be on the treadmill of buying the bigger house, bigger car, bigger TV and bigger waistline. With the right attitude and motivation, you can leave that behind and enjoy life, doing what interests you.

Most of all, keep busy. This is not a dress rehearsal, this is it and it's all you get.

 

[msparks]

quote:

---

Originally posted by buster:
I'd like to know how many on here have made a career/job move in their life? It seems in today's world, job change is frequent. I'm in a tough position right now. I graduated from Rutgers with just a degree in Economics. Never really found something I was truly passionate about so I settled with that.

---

Get the book "What Color is your Parachute" that may give you some insite.

I've also heard good things about this guy Dan Miller with 48 days to the work you love:
http://www.48days.com/products.php

 

[Al]

Wit no debt and no kids you are in a great position. You should consider a Decision Analysis Exercise (for both of you) to determine what makes sense.

Being a Doc is a worthy goal, but right now with the Liability (and especially N.J). ..personally becoming a Doc is a risky/expensive decision. I would be hard presssed to give up a good job in search of becoming a Med Doc..personally.

You do have the luxury of your situation as I said. But I think you have to analyze both careers. And one other thing you can never plan on..and that is the fact that divorce is a 50% probability/possibility..Don't know how that's factored in (It's especially high for Docs-as I understand it)