Changing Careers

[Ohio1nole]

Who here has changed careers in their late 20’s / early 30’s and has advice?

Did you use a search firm to help with the process? Or did you do your own research?


I’ve been thinking about getting out of my current field for the a little while now but haven’t fully committed myself to pulling the trigger on it.

My biggest fear is that my current job, I don’t love it.. but at the same time, I don’t hate it. And that is a weird feeling. To go to a job that you’re in different about. And the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Only where you water it, right?

Like a lot of jobs, mine has its perks, but also has its downfalls.

What were some of the deciding factors that lead to you making a career change?

 

[Random_John]

I worked at the state of Florida for over 12 years. Gave it up to sell insurance. Worst. Plan. Ever.

From there I went into technical recruiting and have been doing it ever since. Sometimes you have to take the plunge and know you'll take the lumps that come along with it.

 

[Lurker1999]

Whatever you do, do what you like. That's the most important thing. Don't do it for the money. Money is great, but don't work for money if you're able to.

I know everyone's circumstances are different, so if you have 8 kids, you have to work for money. If you don't love or hate your job, I actually think that's pretty good.

It could be a lot worse.

 

[LesClaypool]

Whatever you do, do what you like. That's the most important thing. Don't do it for the money. Money is great, but don't work for money if you're able to.

I know everyone's circumstances are different, so if you have 8 kids, you have to work for money. If you don't love or hate your job, I actually think that's pretty good.

It could be a lot worse.

This is horrible advice.

Make a lot of money. Let your job fund the things you love. Don't try to marry the two. So many people give this advice and they're dead wrong.

Do what you love, for fun. Don't tie your livelihood to it, or there's a decent chance you'll end up hating that which you used to love.

 

[Lurker1999]

This is horrible advice.

Make a lot of money. Let your job fund the things you love. Don't try to marry the two. So many people give this advice and they're dead wrong.

Do what you love, for fun. Don't tie your livelihood to it, or there's a decent chance you'll end up hating that which you used to love.

What?

I advise doing what one loves; working for money isn't necessarily going to make one happy.

Lawyers and doctors make a ton of money but they're also two of the most unhappy professions.

Do you know what the happiest profession in America is? Clergy. And they're not making the most money

 

[LesClaypool]

What?

I advise doing what one loves; working for money isn't necessarily going to make one happy.

Lawyers and doctors make a ton of money but they're also two of the most unhappy professions.

Do you know what the happiest profession in America is? Clergy. And they're not making the most money

Advise whatever you want.

You're wrong though.

 

[GwinnettNole]

You need to have a list of professions you like and narrow those down by what does the future employment call for the profession.

Money is not the most important thing but you need to make enough to help raise a family (if that is your situation, which it is for most people). Thus you have to be able to tolerate the career if you do it everyday for 40 years.

I have always hated the advice “do what your passionate about”. For most people that would be a QB or rock star. All that will lead to is you likely being in the poor house.

 

[OrlandNole]

There's a balance. It's up to you to determine and seek out the right mix between income, professional satisfaction and personal enjoyment. My last two job changes, I gave up money for a desperately needed change of scenery. Don't regret it for one moment.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I figure I will always rather be doing something other than working, so if I’m going to be wishing I was doing something else I might as well make as much money as I can while I’m wishing I was doing something else.

 

[Lurker1999]

Advise whatever you want.

You're wrong though.

Lol.

Wrong about what?

Spending 8-10 hours a day for 40 years doing what you hate just to chase dollars seems like an awful way to live...

 

[Lurker1999]

I figure I will always rather be doing something other than working, so if I’m going to be wishing I was doing something else I might as well make as much money as I can while I’m wishing I was doing something else.

If you like your work, you wouldn't always be wishing you'd be doing something else...

The difference between having a job you hate and a job you like is a huge difference.

 

[Ohio1nole]

The do what you love/passionate about is tough.. I see the argument from both sides of the fence.


It’s just an odd feeling being so indifferent about a job. It’s almost that I want to switch it up just for a change of scenery

 

[DDennis73]

There are a lot of factors that you havent given us that are important. As mentioned, do you have kids? Do you want a family if you do not now? How much do you anticipate your financial needs will change in the next 10 years.

I agree that you should try to do what you love but the bottom line is that happiness doesnt pay the mortgage or buy groceries. Now once you figure out how much you need to survive then you know whether this change of career is possible. If you can afford to make less to do what you love I say do it, but you cant setoff income just for happiness or change unless you can afford it. Its like that adage dont bet anything you cant afford to lose.

If you are 50 and kids are grown you can make a career change that you give up some income in exchange for doing what you love. If you are making $200k working your butt off but could go different career path and make $100k you can probably pay your bills and should do what you love. But you cant go be a sports writer making $40k if say you have kids and family to support and need to make $75k to make it. Everyone is different.

I think a huge mistake people make even in college is looking not just at what they will make when graduating but what is the career path they are on.

I sorta did what you mentioned and I find there are pros and cons to making such decision though in my case a bit of it was forced.

 

[Lurker1999]

The do what you love/passionate about is tough.. I see the argument from both sides of the fence.


It’s just an odd feeling being so indifferent about a job. It’s almost that I want to switch it up just for a change of scenery

You can't always love your job, but liking it is critical, IMO.

I would also add that doing something meaningful for other people is important, too...

 

[Ohio1nole]

My background. No kids. Currently engaged. My soon to be wife makes a good salary..

What I make now isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near a good living or living super comfortable... I make enough to pay my/our bills and save a little bit in the side

The problem is, I work in the golf business.. and advancing in my field would often mean changing cities.. it’s like the head coaching business. If you change jobs, chances are you are going to have to re locate due to it being a limited field on what’s available. There are only so many Head pro, director of golf, teaching pro jobs that are available in one city.

And re locating isn’t out of the question. Just not preferred

 

[Lurker1999]

My background. No kids. Currently engaged. My soon to be wife makes a good salary..

What I make now isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near a good living or living super comfortable... I make enough to pay my/our bills and save a little bit in the side

The problem is, I work in the golf business.. and advancing in my field would often mean changing cities.. it’s like the head coaching business. If you change jobs, chances are you are going to have to re locate due to it being a limited field on what’s available. There are only so many Head pro, director of golf, teaching pro jobs that are available in one city.

And re locating isn’t out of the question. Just not preferred

How do you feel about being a house husband?

 

[Ohio1nole]

How do you feel about being a house husband?

Hah! If only she would be down for that

 

[Lurker1999]

Hah! If only she would be down for that

Pop out a couple kids after the wedding then force her hand

 

[DDennis73]

Based on your current situation I think now is the time for a career move if that is something you want to do. I would say any possible move you have to be able to see a reasonable path to making much more than what you are now. Kids are crazy expensive lol I would suggest that if you both anticipate working even after kids that one of you have a job that provides benefits. This makes life so much easier.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

If you like your work, you wouldn't always be wishing you'd be doing something else...

The difference between having a job you hate and a job you like is a huge difference.

I love my job 75% of the time. I’d still rather be doing something else.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

This is horrible advice.

Make a lot of money. Let your job fund the things you love. Don't try to marry the two. So many people give this advice and they're dead wrong.

Do what you love, for fun. Don't tie your livelihood to it, or there's a decent chance you'll end up hating that which you used to love.

Totally agree.

OP early 30’s isn’t too late at all. If you have begun saving for retirement and likely to get good health insurance/benefits in the new career then go for it. I changed in a moderate way and don’t regret at all.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Lol.

Wrong about what?

Spending 8-10 hours a day for 40 years doing what you hate just to chase dollars seems like an awful way to live...

Being poor and working until you’re 80 would be worse.

 

[surfnole]

This is horrible advice.

Make a lot of money. Let your job fund the things you love. Don't try to marry the two. So many people give this advice and they're dead wrong.

Do what you love, for fun. Don't tie your livelihood to it, or there's a decent chance you'll end up hating that which you used to love.

I am going to call BS on this too. Do what you love and the money will follow seems to be a self-evident truth, and a reflection of American narcissim, eg actors working as waiters in NY, and the same applies to other professions. We all won't write the great American novel.

I have read/heard that turning your hobby into a profession just makes it another job. I am not fond of my job, but I think the product is great and my coworkers/management (below exec mgmt) are great. I figure if I change jobs to another corporation, it's just the same BS but different people.

There are billions of people in this world who have no jobs and no opportunity and are in poverty, but they are happy. I know some of them personally.

If work was so great, you wouldn't get paid to do it.

All of that being said, if you find your dream job, can stay out of debt, then by all means go for it.. Maybe you should downgrade your material lifestyle. I am struggling with this right now myself.

 

[NoleMoreTears]

My background. No kids. Currently engaged. My soon to be wife makes a good salary..

What I make now isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near a good living or living super comfortable... I make enough to pay my/our bills and save a little bit in the side

The problem is, I work in the golf business.. and advancing in my field would often mean changing cities.. it’s like the head coaching business. If you change jobs, chances are you are going to have to re locate due to it being a limited field on what’s available. There are only so many Head pro, director of golf, teaching pro jobs that are available in one city.

And re locating isn’t out of the question. Just not preferred

Just read you’re in golf....unless headed for a top 100 teaching designation or you have great contacts for a good club job, I would definitely leave.

Golf isn’t dead but it is saturated.

 

[surfnole]

Lol.

Wrong about what?

Spending 8-10 hours a day for 40 years doing what you hate just to chase dollars seems like an awful way to live...

Yes. It is. But it's not just chasing dollars.

It's providing for children and the future for them and using that money to help others who can't chase dollars. It all depends on what your options are. There are 100s of millions of Chinese assembling Iphones and other devices, for 80 hours per week, and helping to lift their families out of poverty. Is that a good situation? In one way no, but in another way yes. If they weren't assembling Iphones, their families could starve. Just reality unless Apple and Google etc want to start paying a "living wage", but then the cost of your Iphone would increase

 

[Lurker1999]

Yes. It is. But it's not just chasing dollars. It's providing for children and future for them and using that money to help other who can't chase dollars. It all depends on what your options are. There are 100s of millions of Chinese assembling Iphones and other devices and helping to lift their families out of poverty. Is that a good situation? In one way no, but in another way yes. If they weren't assembling Iphones, their families could starve. Just reality unless Apple and Google etc want to start paying a "living wage", but then the cost of your Iphone would increase

I completely agree with you.

 

[Lurker1999]

Being poor and working until you’re 80 would be worse.

Of course, being poor would suck. I never advocated for poverty.

Although, I think working until you're 80 is a good thing, if you can. I work with older adults and as soon as they stop working, they tend to go downhill.

If you like what you do, you can work until you're dead with few regrets. If you hate or dislike your work, you'll probably have regrets later on...

JMHO.

 

[Lurker1999]

I love my job 75% of the time. I’d still rather be doing something else.

I think that could be said for almost all the things we do in life.

We'd rather be on a vacation in Bermuda than sitting in traffic, for example.

 

[Fijimn]

My background. No kids. Currently engaged. My soon to be wife makes a good salary..

What I make now isn’t terrible, but it’s nowhere near a good living or living super comfortable... I make enough to pay my/our bills and save a little bit in the side

The problem is, I work in the golf business.. and advancing in my field would often mean changing cities.. it’s like the head coaching business. If you change jobs, chances are you are going to have to re locate due to it being a limited field on what’s available. There are only so many Head pro, director of golf, teaching pro jobs that are available in one city.

And re locating isn’t out of the question. Just not preferred

Go into sales. Those guys/women don't seem to work very hard and are always on the golf course. Seems like a good fit.

 

[Ohio1nole]

Go into sales. Those guys/women don't seem to work very hard and are always on the golf course. Seems like a good fit.

Amen! Lol

Part of the problem is that I see so many of our members or people that I teach, they are always on the course. I see them from afar and think they have a pretty good set up. So I meet and interact with a lot of people every day and each one is in a different line of work and it always gets me thinking.

 

[Lurker1999]

Go into sales. Those guys/women don't seem to work very hard and are always on the golf course. Seems like a good fit.

Generally speaking, sales sucks. You can make a ton of money but you'll also have a ton of stress. It's a trade-off.

I was in commercial real estate sales for 5 years and my boss made about 400k a year but he spent his day arguing with people on the phone non-stop.

 

[nynole1]

I can tell you where I am in my career, been thinking a lot about this myself.

I'm 40, married 5 years, and have a near 2 year old. My wife makes good money and so do I working for myself as an IT Headhunter.
When I left my old company 3+ years ago, I thought it was a good time to audit all of the expenses in our lives. I also rolled over two 401k accounts from previous employers with the help of a Financial Advisor. Going through the process of cutting expenses, saving money and dealing with future retirement really appealed to me.
I've had a couple of conversations with people I know in the business to ask about the professionals, earning potential, etc. and have been told by both that they think I'd do very well.
Training to get a CFP would cost between $8-10k and 2-3 years time. So I've kicked around the idea because I really think I'd enjoy it, but my situation prevents me from taking the leap. I may do it little by little, continuing with a smaller client base in my current job if I decide to move forward with the training.
My advice to you is that if you've got a legit plan that has long-term potential and won't put you in debt in the meantime, do it.

 

[squiffynole]

Looking back I should have become a firefighter.

 

[billanole]

Looking back I should have become a firefighter.

I wish me and the Coast Guard had gotten together.

 

[Gonolz]

I don't know that you could call it a "career" change, but I got tired of my career/job around 30. I wasn't miserable and was doing well, but it was just like I was on autopilot. I started getting more stressed out and saw how miserable others, who were considered successful professionally, were miserable personally. I decided I didn't want a successful path to misery, so I just quit. I didn't really have any career in mind, so I just went with the flow. I decided to move back to Tally, hung out for a while and tried a few new things.

My take is that life is too short to be working your ass off in a job/career that stresses you out and doesn't make you happy. All jobs/careers have upsides and downsides. You need to decide whether the upsides outweigh the downsides and if they don't, pull the trigger. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, but it is different. Try to find what fits you best.

 

[12Nole]

This thread really has my attention. I'm looking at going back to school for a Finance or Accounting degree. I've been on the sales side for a while but time for a change and something more stable. Luckily I've been able to save a considerable amount of money and my wife has a nice career/income so if I'm going to make a change then now is the time.

If you are looking for a good book check out "Set for Life".

 

[Ohio1nole]

This thread really has my attention. I'm looking at going back to school for a Finance or Accounting degree. I've been on the sales side for a while but time for a change and something more stable. Luckily I've been able to save a considerable amount of money and my wife has a nice career/income so if I'm going to make a change then now is the time.

If you are looking for a good book check out "Set for Life".

I’m looking at reviews of the book now.. seems like an interesting read

 

[mcgrawfsu]

I’ve seen a number of people try unsuccessfully to change careers in their 40’s. You’re younger than they are, so you have more time to make it work. Whatever you do, make sure it is a career that’s in high demand and hires lots of entry level people. Accounting/finance and HR are a couple I’d avoid.

Have you and your fiancé had serious conversations about it? If she is already the main source of income and you put more of the burden on her it could be bad for your relationship.

From what I’ve heard, working in the golf industry is tough and is going to get worse. Now would be the time to make a switch if you’re going to.

 

[12Nole]

I’ve seen a number of people try unsuccessfully to change careers in their 40’s. You’re younger than they are, so you have more time to make it work. Whatever you do, make sure it is a career that’s in high demand and hires lots of entry level people. Accounting/finance and HR are a couple I’d avoid.

Have you and your fiancé had serious conversations about it? If she is already the main source of income and you put more of the burden on her it could be bad for your relationship.

From what I’ve heard, working in the golf industry is tough and is going to get worse. Now would be the time to make a switch if you’re going to.

Just curious why do you suggest avoiding finance and accounting? Looks like there will be a mass exodus of older professionals in these fields in the coming years.

 

[DanC78]

Open a restaurant, fall on your face, and then go back to what you’re doing now and it won’t feel near as bad.