Career change?? (page 2)

erynw

I worked in finance and accounting my entire working life, about 24 years, and one day while trying to balance a spread sheet, I realized I just didn't give a flying flip where the missing ten cents was.

I quit my accounting job and took a job in the education department at the place I now work, a maritime-themed science center, and spent my work days blowing up hydrogen balloons to explain combustion, teaching 4th graders about the importance of watersheds, and creating educational material for the local schools. This led to me becoming the webmaster for this science-center and I have not regretted one second of it. Plus, I get to go to work in shorts and tennis shoes.

Sometimes, you have to take that leap of faith to get out of a rut and find employment doing something you truly love.

Best wishes to you on your journey.

Warlock

Guess what I'm going to tell you to do?

Warlock

serendipity

Thanks for all the feedback so far! Maybe the JWD day shift has more to share?

wha happened?

Three years ago I had just turned 40. I hated my career. I was in a partnership with two others repairing computer laptops and other electronics. I handled the sales. I absolutely hated my partners and they did everything they could to make my life hell. I ran into an old friend who owned a loan brokerage. He trained me, paid for my education so that I could get licensed, and basically got me back on track mentally. I had just stopped going to meetings and was feeling kinda lost. That feeling of getting my license and walking back to my business partners to tell them to f%$k off was so fulfilling. I basically laid everything on the table. All the abuse they did to me. All the rumors they started about me to the employees. Since I had a new career set up, they had no power over me anymore. I stated a price to buy me out or the lawyers will get involved which will run everything into the ground with nothing for anyone. It was a screaming match but they backed down, and agreed to write me checks over the course of a year to pay me off. I just collected my last check. Ironically, because I really did work as hard as I could despite the politics, my hard work paid off because my contracts with large manufacturers continue to provide 50%+ of their income even though I have been gone for almost two years now. The other two clowns they hired to take my place work 40 hours a week each and they still can't match my sales. One of the old partners recently asked me to work for them as a consultant. I guess they finally figured out that the person they treated like a mule was providing them with a living for a long time. I recommend to anyone who is stuck in a career to kick their own ass and get started. Minimize their lifestyle and buckle down. Dedicate 3 hours a night to studying or school for a new career. And find someone whom they want to emulate and offer to work as an intern after hours.

serendipity

bttt

llbh

Hi Sd

Find out what you enjoy and are good at. Have a go at Jung's test that changeling posted here a few days ago, it is really quite revealing. Definitely get educated if at the very least for your self esteem. Do you prefer self employment or to be employed; in my experience you prefer one or the other hand? If you have been self employed people are usually reluctant to change.

regards llbh

purplesofa

Maybe the JWD day shift has more to share?

Is there something specific you are looking for? Something you have in mind that possibly someone else has tried?

purps

penny2

How about work in the same field with a smaller company?

I worked in the corporate sector for years - very long hours and stressful. Now I work for a small company doing similar work but I choose my hours, the people are friendly and I'm a lot happier.

When you work less hours, your job isn't the whole focus of your life. You can put up with the negatives knowing you're earning money and have things to look forward to outside of working hours.

The downside is less pay - so use any surplus money wisely by paying off debt etc.

AGuest

Peace to you all!

I worked as a low-income housing administrator for almost 20 years (I literally walked away from that earlier this year). After my youngest started college, I went back to school (at the age of 40) to get my undergrad, and will receive my JD in May 2008. I chose law because I wanted something that I could do even if my body failed (hopefully, my mind will not, too soon). I do not intent to be a trial lawyer (EYUCK!!), but more of a "transactional" attorney (i.e., wills, trusts, contracts, adoptions... and the like), in addition to doing mediation for low-income, disabled and elderly clients who need it (I do volunteer mediation, now).

Would I recommend law school? I certainly would. You would not BELIEVE what the law is... versus what we think it is (or should be). Quite an "enlightening" experience. True, some lawyers are "slime," but note, they don't necessarily become like that after law school: some of my classmates have shown signs of "slimey-ness" already!

If you can handle the schedule... the reading (TONS and TONS of reading)... and the writing (a good deal of writing)... then I would say go for it.

Anyway, this was my contribution to the subject.

Again, peace.

SA, on her own

wha happened?

hey! why the bttttt?

Career change??

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