At what age should one be 'settled' into a job/career?

[ZachnElli]

As you know Binny, my dh had a complete career change and he turned 40 last June. But he is technically self-employed now. We are hoping this is it until retirement. He can still get in 25 years.

 

[airhead]

I was 53 when I felt "settled" into my 4th career. I will never say this is "it" for me. My dog daycare/training center is my 4th business. I will continue until I lose interest or it stops being profitable. My philosophy about careers or jobs is that,we spend most of our life working. If its a job we don't like,we need to change it to something that makes us feel good. Otherwise,we're in for a long life of living for the weekend. I refuse to be that person.
Life is good,and too darn short!

 

[blanq]

I have been with my employer for 17 years (program manager in county government) and my DH has been with his employer for 20 years (lead operating engineer in a power plant). We would consider ourselves "settled" in our careers. One of the major reasons we are settled is because we both have traditional pensions, and are vested.

I think one of the reasons that the tides have turned, and that people don't stay with the same employer forever anymore, is that few companies offer pensions. With portable pensions, and/or 401Ks, becoming the norm, there is really no incentive to be loyal to one employer forever. Many employers don't seem to very loyal to their employees either. So, if I was in a situation like that, I likely would move around and make the most money I could make.

 

[beachbunny]

In addition to few companies offering pensions, another reason for moving jobs every few years or so is that it's only when you move that you have the potential for a large salary jump. I'm settled in a career but that doesn't mean I won't change employers when the opportunity arises.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I think it truly does vary with each individual. I went to college straight out of high school because I felt pressured. I picked a major that I didn't enjoy but was good at to please all the people that made it seem like I had to decide right then. Honestly, I needed some time to figure out what I wanted to do and was really not ready for college then. I dropped out of college and went back a few years later. I switched majors several times because I was at the point where I was starting to realize what I wanted to do and what I didn't want to do just by some of the classes that I was taking. I finally figured it out a few years ago I think. I will graduate this May and I am pretty sure I will make a good career out of it. I hope so anyway. I will be 27 and hope to be well established, or at least working my way up, in my career by 30.

My dad is almost 47 and is still searching. He changes jobs left and right. His wife is almost 50 and is also still searching. She has been a psychologist for nearly 20 years but is now going back to school this Spring because she doesn't think it is "her calling."

 

[goofyernmost]

Speaking for myself...I will be 60 this year and I am still looking forward to settling in. My guess is that my career will be retirement.

In my first 60 years, I have been a:

Retail Store Manager
Graphic Artist
General Manager of a Web printing business
Assistant Publisher of an Advertising Newspaper
Owner/Operator of a Residential Care Home
Bookkeeper
HR Manager
Licensed Public Water System Operator
Payroll Bookkeeper (part time)
Real Estate Salesperson
Brief experience as a Travel Agent
Accounts Payable/Payroll Clerk
Municipal Bus Driver
Field Supervisor (same company)

I know what your thinking but I was not fired from any of these. It was strictly self inflicted. Someday I may figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

Times have changed anyway. No longer is anyone expected to stay with the same company for life. I wouldn't change anything. I have had so many diverse experiences and memories that all the upheaval has been worth it.