Change of Career/Life Direction
Discussion
Is there anyone here who's made a radical career change after a significant amount of time in the same rut job? I'm at a point where I am considering the options - carry on in a perfectly good, well paid but ultimately repetitive and desk bound job in a tough job market or try something completely new.
Is there anyone who's made that change - either for good or for bad. I'd appreciate hearing what your motivations were, what you did and how it worked out. Being a naturally conservative person it goes against all my instincts to just walk out and do something new....
Is there anyone who's made that change - either for good or for bad. I'd appreciate hearing what your motivations were, what you did and how it worked out. Being a naturally conservative person it goes against all my instincts to just walk out and do something new....
st_files said:
Is there anyone here who's made a radical career change after a significant amount of time in the same rut job? I'm at a point where I am considering the options - carry on in a perfectly good, well paid but ultimately repetitive and desk bound job in a tough job market or try something completely new.
Is there anyone who's made that change - either for good or for bad. I'd appreciate hearing what your motivations were, what you did and how it worked out. Being a naturally conservative person it goes against all my instincts to just walk out and do something new....
Im also at this stage and will be interested to hear others tales of success or otherwise, heading in a new direction. Is there anyone who's made that change - either for good or for bad. I'd appreciate hearing what your motivations were, what you did and how it worked out. Being a naturally conservative person it goes against all my instincts to just walk out and do something new....
Op - how old are you? Ive got a couple of years before I hit 40 and Im hoping thats not too old to start afresh work-wise!?
I have a couple of thoughts to add.
People seem to ask this a lot, I guess your bored with your lot, fancy some excitement, a challenge, etc etc.
Now, because you spend a majority of your day at work - you see 'work' as the place to get this enjoyment. Hence, you decide to jack in a desk bound, well paid, dull job and become a fire-eater.
2 years later your skint with a burnt mouth, thinking what a pillock you've been.
May I make the suggestion that you need to make the changes 'outside' of your job?
Stop living for work, and work to live. It is a means to an end, the end being financial security. That money doesnt buy you happiness, we know that, but it does buy you opportunities.
Perhaps OP needs a new hobby, a change of location, a trip of a lifetime.
Join a mountain climbing club, buy a kayak, learn to be a pilot, whatever.
Monday to Friday 9-5 IS boring for nearly all of us. Just accept it.
Its what you do outside of those hours that counts.
People seem to ask this a lot, I guess your bored with your lot, fancy some excitement, a challenge, etc etc.
Now, because you spend a majority of your day at work - you see 'work' as the place to get this enjoyment. Hence, you decide to jack in a desk bound, well paid, dull job and become a fire-eater.
2 years later your skint with a burnt mouth, thinking what a pillock you've been.
May I make the suggestion that you need to make the changes 'outside' of your job?
Stop living for work, and work to live. It is a means to an end, the end being financial security. That money doesnt buy you happiness, we know that, but it does buy you opportunities.
Perhaps OP needs a new hobby, a change of location, a trip of a lifetime.
Join a mountain climbing club, buy a kayak, learn to be a pilot, whatever.
Monday to Friday 9-5 IS boring for nearly all of us. Just accept it.
Its what you do outside of those hours that counts.
A911DOM said:
Op - how old are you?
Was just going to ask the same thing!It seems to happen at 30, even though I work in a career that I love, I still felt like I wanted to experience more! I was all for packing up and going to work in a spray shop as a junior... it also happened at 32... it will probably happen a few more time yet.
Not a completely new career, but (like many others in IT) I jacked in the security of employment with a global IT company to set up on my own as a contractor. Scary at the time but definitely a good decision.
One thing I would suggest is that, similar to the emigration threads that often appear, make sure you're changing TO something you WANT to do, not changing purely because what you currently do is rubbish. Make it a positive step (moving onto something) not a negative one (running away from something).
My change allowed me to spend much more time concentrating on my outside-work passions, and the decision to make the change was specifically to give me that extra flexibility but at the cost of job security.
One thing I would suggest is that, similar to the emigration threads that often appear, make sure you're changing TO something you WANT to do, not changing purely because what you currently do is rubbish. Make it a positive step (moving onto something) not a negative one (running away from something).
My change allowed me to spend much more time concentrating on my outside-work passions, and the decision to make the change was specifically to give me that extra flexibility but at the cost of job security.
st_files said:
snotrag said:
I have a couple of thoughts to add.
People seem to ask this a lot, I guess your bored with your lot, fancy some excitement, a challenge, etc etc.
Now, because you spend a majority of your day at work - you see 'work' as the place to get this enjoyment. Hence, you decide to jack in a desk bound, well paid, dull job and become a fire-eater.
2 years later your skint with a burnt mouth, thinking what a pillock you've been.
May I make the suggestion that you need to make the changes 'outside' of your job?
Stop living for work, and work to live. It is a means to an end, the end being financial security. That money doesnt buy you happiness, we know that, but it does buy you opportunities.
Perhaps OP needs a new hobby, a change of location, a trip of a lifetime.
Join a mountain climbing club, buy a kayak, learn to be a pilot, whatever.
Monday to Friday 9-5 IS boring for nearly all of us. Just accept it.
Its what you do outside of those hours that counts.
Thats what I thought initially - but its more than that. Dont get me wrong, I dont hate my job by any stretch, its relatively undemanding, decent pay and a nice place to work. Also, it seems a bit rich to be contemplating this when so many people are finding things hard in the current economic climate. What I do in my spare time is not the issue. A 9-5 job is a huge chunk of your life and no matter how fantastic your life is away from your job its going to have a huge effect.People seem to ask this a lot, I guess your bored with your lot, fancy some excitement, a challenge, etc etc.
Now, because you spend a majority of your day at work - you see 'work' as the place to get this enjoyment. Hence, you decide to jack in a desk bound, well paid, dull job and become a fire-eater.
2 years later your skint with a burnt mouth, thinking what a pillock you've been.
May I make the suggestion that you need to make the changes 'outside' of your job?
Stop living for work, and work to live. It is a means to an end, the end being financial security. That money doesnt buy you happiness, we know that, but it does buy you opportunities.
Perhaps OP needs a new hobby, a change of location, a trip of a lifetime.
Join a mountain climbing club, buy a kayak, learn to be a pilot, whatever.
Monday to Friday 9-5 IS boring for nearly all of us. Just accept it.
Its what you do outside of those hours that counts.
Edited by st_files on Monday 7th December 10:43
From experience, work hard on your motivations. You may still not find your dream job but you may land a better life. What is important to you? How many hours do you currently work? How big is the pressure/stress/comittment in your current role? How much financial sacrifice would you have to make? Are you financially secure enough to handle this?
I concluded fewer hours, family life, less stress and better surroundings were my top motivations. Afterall, there is no point being very rich - and dead...
I concluded fewer hours, family life, less stress and better surroundings were my top motivations. Afterall, there is no point being very rich - and dead...
From leaving school I was employed by the same company for 13 years. We began as a two man band and grew up together, I looked after telesales, then field sales then the sales guys and so on. We were selling a very specific product in a very specific marketplace and, after 13 years, there wasn't much I didn't know about the product or the marketplace (I even browse our competitors websites still).
When I lost my licence the company stuck by me and kept me employed, though it wasn't practical.
If I hadn't been forced to I'd never have left voluntarily, all things being equal- it was a comfort zone and the money was good.
In my early 30s, no licence and no qualifications other than what I left school with, in a rural area with little employment, I wasn't too hopeful. I managed to move straight to a telesales job with another small company selling water dispensers (oh, the excitement!), everyday a 45 miles train/bus/on foot commute. I hated every minute.
December last year I was made redundant and spent the first two months of this year job hunting. Quite by chance I was interviewed for one position and taken on for one quite different.
So here we are, 18 months after leaving a job I'd done for 13 years, and I'm having the time of my life. I'm working on business development for a kayak manufacturer, every day is different and the challenge is the most stimulating and interesting I've ever had. I sat here, on my day off, thinking about work.
Sometimes change isn't brought about through choice; it's forced upon you by circumstance. What I've learned is that you shouldn't be frightened of change, you should embrace it however it comes about and make sure you come out the other side smelling of roses.
When I lost my licence the company stuck by me and kept me employed, though it wasn't practical.
If I hadn't been forced to I'd never have left voluntarily, all things being equal- it was a comfort zone and the money was good.
In my early 30s, no licence and no qualifications other than what I left school with, in a rural area with little employment, I wasn't too hopeful. I managed to move straight to a telesales job with another small company selling water dispensers (oh, the excitement!), everyday a 45 miles train/bus/on foot commute. I hated every minute.
December last year I was made redundant and spent the first two months of this year job hunting. Quite by chance I was interviewed for one position and taken on for one quite different.
So here we are, 18 months after leaving a job I'd done for 13 years, and I'm having the time of my life. I'm working on business development for a kayak manufacturer, every day is different and the challenge is the most stimulating and interesting I've ever had. I sat here, on my day off, thinking about work.
Sometimes change isn't brought about through choice; it's forced upon you by circumstance. What I've learned is that you shouldn't be frightened of change, you should embrace it however it comes about and make sure you come out the other side smelling of roses.
Well, I changed from working as a computer programmer doing the 9 to 5 for 8 years, to piloting aeroplanes around South East Asia. I guess I pretty much fit into the category of people who've radically changed their career 
I’m not really sure what kind of advice I can offer other that to say that anything really is possible if you put in the work to achieve it.
For me, it all started 4 years ago when I was 26 and decided I really wasn't enjoying my life as much as I'd hoped. I'd always been into computers and did a degree in computer science at uni. However, I'd been saving up some money and decided to get my private pilots licence as something to do outside of work. Pretty much instantly I decided this was too much fun to do as a hobby and looked into changing careers.
It was an expensive, enjoyable and at times exhausting (did I mention expensive?) four years of my life doing all the exams, training, flight tests etc to gain my licences so I could start applying for jobs. I finally qualified in January this year.
I then got very lucky and found a company doing exactly the kind of flying I wanted to do, in Indonesia. So I applied. Got an interview and was accepted a couple of months ago. The pay is about 10 times less than my then current salary but, and it’s a big but, I now love my job and new life which is much more important than salary to me.
So there you go. It is possible to change careers but I think it helps if you know what it is you want to do and be totally dedicated achieving it. Life's too short to be stuck doing something you don't enjoy
I’m not really sure what kind of advice I can offer other that to say that anything really is possible if you put in the work to achieve it.
For me, it all started 4 years ago when I was 26 and decided I really wasn't enjoying my life as much as I'd hoped. I'd always been into computers and did a degree in computer science at uni. However, I'd been saving up some money and decided to get my private pilots licence as something to do outside of work. Pretty much instantly I decided this was too much fun to do as a hobby and looked into changing careers.
It was an expensive, enjoyable and at times exhausting (did I mention expensive?) four years of my life doing all the exams, training, flight tests etc to gain my licences so I could start applying for jobs. I finally qualified in January this year.
I then got very lucky and found a company doing exactly the kind of flying I wanted to do, in Indonesia. So I applied. Got an interview and was accepted a couple of months ago. The pay is about 10 times less than my then current salary but, and it’s a big but, I now love my job and new life which is much more important than salary to me.
So there you go. It is possible to change careers but I think it helps if you know what it is you want to do and be totally dedicated achieving it. Life's too short to be stuck doing something you don't enjoy
st_files said:
Is there anyone here who's made a radical career change after a significant amount of time in the same job?
Yes. I went from a very well-regarded mechanic working on performance/prestige vehicles to a part time student at the local college studying beauty therapy.I went on to open my own salon and had three very successful years in business.
My circumstances were probably very much different from yours but it shows that there is no reason whatsoever that people can not forge changes in their life if they want to and have the balls to.
Yeah - me, I guess. Went from pretty well paid IT contracting in the City to owning a pub in the country.
Motivations were utter lack of fulfilment with the job plus a desire to work for myself. I felt making rich people richer didn't really do much for me. It came down to the point where I just wanted to do something different - but I wanted to work for myself. My skills, such as they are, didn't really lend themselves to setting up my own company "doing IT". Plus, I found it tedious. I therefore thought about buying a business, I didn't really know what type so just Googled "businesses for sale".
After a quick shufty on Dalton's Business, I decided pub or b&b would be the thing. Mostly because it was a business with a tangible asset of sorts (the bricks & mortar). So I (well, my wife and I) set about looking in to it. Everyone, and I mean everyone, said not to do it.
In the mean time my parents "realised" that, though they owned their house (or as near as damn it), they had no real pensions to speak. They were basically sitting on an illiquid asset. The pub idea afforded them a roof over their heads and, hopefully, some kind of annuity with the pubs earnings. We clubbed together, sold both of our houses and bought a pub.
We had NO experience what-so-ever but fortunately had the help of some good friends with experience. We've been there just over 2 years now and it's been bloody hard work and we're only just starting to get in to profit - and modest profit at that. Plus, being a "local" boozer, there's a lot of politics that can be a royal pain in the arse. Let alone moany/picky customers "the bread's too thick"... "the bread's too thin" etc.
That said, and I thought this only yesterday as I stood outside my pub surveying my land, pint in hand; I don't regret it for a minute. I love being my own boss and all of the freedom that this provides. We're one of only two surviving pubs in the area (from a total of 4 previously) and we're turning a profit in a recession. Plus, we're seeing a growth in business.
That said, it's not enough to keep both my family (of 4) and my parents so I am back working in the City, doing what I did. However, something is different. A perception of having the choice to be here - rather than the need. Plus there's the background interest of keeping the pub running. So many plates to spin (not literally) means there's always challenges and rarely time to get bored.
I've made some great friends in the pub and it's lovely to turn up and always have someone to talk to. I love turning the pub in to somewhere I'd like to go and have people complimenting me on it. There's a way to go yet but it's all something to strive for. That was what was missing in my previous life... an aim.
I utterly agree with changing to something you want, rather than running away from something. However, often this takes a leap of faith (a good dose of ignorance helps too!). It got very close to collapsing previously but hard work and determination saw us through.
I just took the viewpoint that "sometimes you just need to roll the dice"
PS: One piece of advice, however, is make sure you have a f
k-up fund. That means having some cash/savings so that should the worst happen, you have a buffer whilst you decide where you're heading/going back to.
Motivations were utter lack of fulfilment with the job plus a desire to work for myself. I felt making rich people richer didn't really do much for me. It came down to the point where I just wanted to do something different - but I wanted to work for myself. My skills, such as they are, didn't really lend themselves to setting up my own company "doing IT". Plus, I found it tedious. I therefore thought about buying a business, I didn't really know what type so just Googled "businesses for sale".
After a quick shufty on Dalton's Business, I decided pub or b&b would be the thing. Mostly because it was a business with a tangible asset of sorts (the bricks & mortar). So I (well, my wife and I) set about looking in to it. Everyone, and I mean everyone, said not to do it.
In the mean time my parents "realised" that, though they owned their house (or as near as damn it), they had no real pensions to speak. They were basically sitting on an illiquid asset. The pub idea afforded them a roof over their heads and, hopefully, some kind of annuity with the pubs earnings. We clubbed together, sold both of our houses and bought a pub.
We had NO experience what-so-ever but fortunately had the help of some good friends with experience. We've been there just over 2 years now and it's been bloody hard work and we're only just starting to get in to profit - and modest profit at that. Plus, being a "local" boozer, there's a lot of politics that can be a royal pain in the arse. Let alone moany/picky customers "the bread's too thick"... "the bread's too thin" etc.
That said, and I thought this only yesterday as I stood outside my pub surveying my land, pint in hand; I don't regret it for a minute. I love being my own boss and all of the freedom that this provides. We're one of only two surviving pubs in the area (from a total of 4 previously) and we're turning a profit in a recession. Plus, we're seeing a growth in business.
That said, it's not enough to keep both my family (of 4) and my parents so I am back working in the City, doing what I did. However, something is different. A perception of having the choice to be here - rather than the need. Plus there's the background interest of keeping the pub running. So many plates to spin (not literally) means there's always challenges and rarely time to get bored.
I've made some great friends in the pub and it's lovely to turn up and always have someone to talk to. I love turning the pub in to somewhere I'd like to go and have people complimenting me on it. There's a way to go yet but it's all something to strive for. That was what was missing in my previous life... an aim.
I utterly agree with changing to something you want, rather than running away from something. However, often this takes a leap of faith (a good dose of ignorance helps too!). It got very close to collapsing previously but hard work and determination saw us through.
I just took the viewpoint that "sometimes you just need to roll the dice"
PS: One piece of advice, however, is make sure you have a f
k-up fund. That means having some cash/savings so that should the worst happen, you have a buffer whilst you decide where you're heading/going back to.Moose. said:
It was an expensive, enjoyable and at times exhausting (did I mention expensive?) four years of my life doing all the exams, training, flight tests etc to gain my licences so I could start applying for jobs. I finally qualified in January this year.
Do you mind if I ask how much it cost you? Did you spend 4 years full time or was it on your free time?Nolar Dog said:
st_files said:
Is there anyone here who's made a radical career change after a significant amount of time in the same job?
Yes. I went from a very well-regarded mechanic working on performance/prestige vehicles to a part time student at the local college studying beauty therapy.I went on to open my own salon and had three very successful years in business.
My circumstances were probably very much different from yours but it shows that there is no reason whatsoever that people can not forge changes in their life if they want to and have the balls to.
Landlord said:
Yeah - me, I guess. Went from pretty well paid IT contracting in the City to owning a pub in the country.
Motivations were utter lack of fulfilment with the job plus a desire to work for myself. I felt making rich people richer didn't really do much for me. It came down to the point where I just wanted to do something different - but I wanted to work for myself. My skills, such as they are, didn't really lend themselves to setting up my own company "doing IT". Plus, I found it tedious. I therefore thought about buying a business, I didn't really know what type so just Googled "businesses for sale".
After a quick shufty on Dalton's Business, I decided pub or b&b would be the thing. Mostly because it was a business with a tangible asset of sorts (the bricks & mortar). So I (well, my wife and I) set about looking in to it. Everyone, and I mean everyone, said not to do it.
In the mean time my parents "realised" that, though they owned their house (or as near as damn it), they had no real pensions to speak. They were basically sitting on an illiquid asset. The pub idea afforded them a roof over their heads and, hopefully, some kind of annuity with the pubs earnings. We clubbed together, sold both of our houses and bought a pub.
We had NO experience what-so-ever but fortunately had the help of some good friends with experience. We've been there just over 2 years now and it's been bloody hard work and we're only just starting to get in to profit - and modest profit at that. Plus, being a "local" boozer, there's a lot of politics that can be a royal pain in the arse. Let alone moany/picky customers "the bread's too thick"... "the bread's too thin" etc.
That said, and I thought this only yesterday as I stood outside my pub surveying my land, pint in hand; I don't regret it for a minute. I love being my own boss and all of the freedom that this provides. We're one of only two surviving pubs in the area (from a total of 4 previously) and we're turning a profit in a recession. Plus, we're seeing a growth in business.
That said, it's not enough to keep both my family (of 4) and my parents so I am back working in the City, doing what I did. However, something is different. A perception of having the choice to be here - rather than the need. Plus there's the background interest of keeping the pub running. So many plates to spin (not literally) means there's always challenges and rarely time to get bored.
I've made some great friends in the pub and it's lovely to turn up and always have someone to talk to. I love turning the pub in to somewhere I'd like to go and have people complimenting me on it. There's a way to go yet but it's all something to strive for. That was what was missing in my previous life... an aim.
I utterly agree with changing to something you want, rather than running away from something. However, often this takes a leap of faith (a good dose of ignorance helps too!). It got very close to collapsing previously but hard work and determination saw us through.
I just took the viewpoint that "sometimes you just need to roll the dice"
PS: One piece of advice, however, is make sure you have a fk-up fund. That means having some cash/savings so that should the worst happen, you have a buffer whilst you decide where you're heading/going back to.
Thanks for taking the time to put all that down Landlord - "sometimes you just need to roll the dice" is exactly how I'm starting to feel. Motivations were utter lack of fulfilment with the job plus a desire to work for myself. I felt making rich people richer didn't really do much for me. It came down to the point where I just wanted to do something different - but I wanted to work for myself. My skills, such as they are, didn't really lend themselves to setting up my own company "doing IT". Plus, I found it tedious. I therefore thought about buying a business, I didn't really know what type so just Googled "businesses for sale".
After a quick shufty on Dalton's Business, I decided pub or b&b would be the thing. Mostly because it was a business with a tangible asset of sorts (the bricks & mortar). So I (well, my wife and I) set about looking in to it. Everyone, and I mean everyone, said not to do it.
In the mean time my parents "realised" that, though they owned their house (or as near as damn it), they had no real pensions to speak. They were basically sitting on an illiquid asset. The pub idea afforded them a roof over their heads and, hopefully, some kind of annuity with the pubs earnings. We clubbed together, sold both of our houses and bought a pub.
We had NO experience what-so-ever but fortunately had the help of some good friends with experience. We've been there just over 2 years now and it's been bloody hard work and we're only just starting to get in to profit - and modest profit at that. Plus, being a "local" boozer, there's a lot of politics that can be a royal pain in the arse. Let alone moany/picky customers "the bread's too thick"... "the bread's too thin" etc.
That said, and I thought this only yesterday as I stood outside my pub surveying my land, pint in hand; I don't regret it for a minute. I love being my own boss and all of the freedom that this provides. We're one of only two surviving pubs in the area (from a total of 4 previously) and we're turning a profit in a recession. Plus, we're seeing a growth in business.
That said, it's not enough to keep both my family (of 4) and my parents so I am back working in the City, doing what I did. However, something is different. A perception of having the choice to be here - rather than the need. Plus there's the background interest of keeping the pub running. So many plates to spin (not literally) means there's always challenges and rarely time to get bored.
I've made some great friends in the pub and it's lovely to turn up and always have someone to talk to. I love turning the pub in to somewhere I'd like to go and have people complimenting me on it. There's a way to go yet but it's all something to strive for. That was what was missing in my previous life... an aim.
I utterly agree with changing to something you want, rather than running away from something. However, often this takes a leap of faith (a good dose of ignorance helps too!). It got very close to collapsing previously but hard work and determination saw us through.
I just took the viewpoint that "sometimes you just need to roll the dice"
PS: One piece of advice, however, is make sure you have a f
k-up fund. That means having some cash/savings so that should the worst happen, you have a buffer whilst you decide where you're heading/going back to.I never really added it all up but I estimate it was around £45-50k. I did most of the training around my day job but did take 5 months unpaid leave to do the commecial flight training. If you want to know any specifics let me know but I do believe there's a fair bit of luck involved with landing a job in aviation so have a back up plan!
Moose. said:
I never really added it all up but I estimate it was around £45-50k. I did most of the training around my day job but did take 5 months unpaid leave to do the commecial flight training. If you want to know any specifics let me know but I do believe there's a fair bit of luck involved with landing a job in aviation so have a back up plan!
I'd be very interested in any links you may think would be handy for someone considering a similar move. Its the one career I've always had in the back of my mind - ever since I was in the RAF cadets at school....one of the things you need to consider is the impact the current economic climate is having on job opportunities and to a certain extent your own feelings of career satisfaction. Back in the day of plenty, we could work for large organisations and feel confident that we could move around within them, both cross functionally, but also globally. Now though however, jobs are scarce there are cut backs,so opportunities in all market sectors are slimmer than before.
before looking to move bear in mind your current situation in terms of security, many years at the same job, with good appraisals gives you a small amount of strength at the moment. Moving to a new job where you have perhaps no experience could put you in the firing line. Companies do not have scope to allow staff to grow into a role at the moment.
in summary take your time, competition for roles is fierce out there.
before looking to move bear in mind your current situation in terms of security, many years at the same job, with good appraisals gives you a small amount of strength at the moment. Moving to a new job where you have perhaps no experience could put you in the firing line. Companies do not have scope to allow staff to grow into a role at the moment.
in summary take your time, competition for roles is fierce out there.
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