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

[binny]

Seems like it used to be that people got into a career right out of college or even high school and just stuck it out till they got their gold watch. That doesnt seem to happen a lot anymore though.


Dh had been with his last company for 10 years and changed companies ( same line of work though) and plans to stay with them until then end if that is possible. There are a lot of "lifers" in this company.

We were talking the other day about how old you should be when you are settled into your job. He is almost 38 now ( is that still mid thirties??) and feels pretty settled.

We know people our age though who are still "floaters" they seem to float from job to job and still dont know what they what they want to be when they grow up


Its not my business and I dont care what they do with their lives but I am curious what the general consesus is as to when one should be in their "grown up" job.

 

[DisneyFan06]

Interesting question. I am sure you are going to get various answers because I think it depends on the individual. I am interested to see what they say.

 

[Evil Genius]

I'm 48 and been downsized 4 times. I really don't know if there is anything as being settled in a job anymore.

 

[Beth76]

Like you, not that it makes any difference to me, but I would think by 30.

DH was settled into his career around age 25. He's been steadily employed since he graduated grad school, but the first two companies he worked for were not big and his future with them was not clear. At least one of them is gone now, not sure about the other one. He just left one job that he was at for 6 years and he thought he was firmly planted there. Now, he's pretty sure he's firmly planted at his current job. So we'll see what happens.

 

[WDWBarb]

There are statistics out there about how many times a person not only changes jobs in a lifetime but actually changes careers. I was surprised to say the least!

I'm also 38 and I feel "settled" in my career and I think that actually can be a BAD thing. Once you nest yourself in somewhere you often let opportunities slip right past you for something bigger and better. While the thought of changing jobs (or careers!) when I'm over 40 scares me the thought of NOT changing scares me as well.

If that makes sense...?

 

[Alex2kMommy]

When I was in college in the early 90s, one of my professors told us that the days of staying with the same company for your entire career are over. Expect to move around a lot, maybe even change careers completely during the course of your adult life.

As it turns out, the job I got out of college was with an "old-school" type company where there were a lot of "lifers". However, new management came in about 5 years ago, the company was financially in trouble, and we needed to compete in the marketplace. Layoffs and outsourcing are the order of the day, talented people leave when something better comes along, and "lifers" just try to hang on until retirement.

Kids fresh out of college move on after just a few years. I think this is the new norm. The company has to do what it needs to do to survive, so employees need to do what is best for them; loyalty is not valued nearly as much as it used to be.

 

[mumom95]

My dh went to work for his company right out of college at age 21, and he's been with them for almost 12 years now. It is a very stable, large manufacturing company, been around for almost 200 years, and has many "lifers" working there. He would like to stay with the company until retirement. Who knows if that will be possible, but right now that is the plan.

I was a teacher and left my old career for my new career SAHM when my son was born 8 years ago. My youngest is now in the first grade, and people keep asking me if I'm going to get a new job. I'm very "settled" in my current career and don't really want to change. Heck, now is the best time of my career, a stay at home mom with no kids at home during the day. Can't beat those benefits!! But sadly, I'll probably get a job sometime in the next year, mainly because we've been bitten by the Disney bug and I want to keep going back, and that is hard to do on one income.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I am going to say over 34, just because that is how old I was!

I went to college for nursing. After I finished, I decided it was not for me, so I went to medical school. Then I sat back and realized that my older kids would be calling me "that lady we see sometimes" if I continued, so I took a break from it to be with them. I started doing trancription and my old nursing professor was trying to talk me into going back to become a nursing instructor after both of them had started school. Then I met DH, and started all over again with babies in 2003. After I had DS3 in 2004, I went back to my old transcription company to work from home. I plan on doing this until they can me for cheaper help in India or I retire.

 

[TxDsnyGrl74]

I was 26 when I got my current job. I too work for a company with a lot of "lifers". One problem with this, is that there isn't a lot of room for advancement until they retire, which should happen in the next 5-7 years. So, I'm patiently waiting my turn to be promoted.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Its so hard to be a lifer anywhere these days... I was laid off 3 times by the time I was 27. After than I picked merchandising jobs until I had 2 more kids back to back a few years ago. I will need to go back into the work force in a few years and I have no idea what I am going to do. I never have had a drive towards one particular profession. My Hubby got a job with the county and started out as Park Maintenance at age 28. He is 37 now. He has since moved up to mechanic. Pay isnt great.. especially for living in Jersey but the benefits are good and with 4 kids thats a priority.

 

[Cindy B]

I'm 37 and I haven't really started my career yet. I didn't go to college when I was younger (had other obligations) so I am going to school now.

I will have my initial certifications/bachelors degree in May, and I have some post graduate work due after that. I will probably start my career at 39 or 40.

 

[Micca]

I started part-time in what would become my career when I was 16. Stayed with it full-time for 35 years when I got into a related field. We have twin DDs who are now 24 yrs old. One DD became a teacher at 23, while the other has just started in her field this year. Seems like Generation Y is in no hurry to establish themselves in a career. That's not altogether a bad thing either.

 

[JimB.]

I'm in my 4th "career" presently. This is, without unforeseen circumstances, my last "stop" on the career train.

BTW, my careers have born absolutely no resemblance to one another:

1. Naval Flight Officer
2. House builder/General Contractor
3. Field ops manager for a major formerly-midwestern oil company
4. Presently Firefighter/Paramedic.

 

[disney junky]

I think teaching is a bit different. It seems that if you make it beyond the first 2-5 years, you become a lifer. I've toyed with administration, taken a few classes, taught a few college classes, but this position is really the most stable. The pay and benefits would be tough to walk away from now, but I should add, every time I drive home from the store, the local warehouse has a sign on the side of it and their average truck drivers make much more than the average teacher.

I do expect to retire at 55 which is three years away. I don't have to. I want to, and then I am unsure whether I'd like to have another 'career' or just a job. I do want a break from teaching, at least in the way I do it now. For a while, I'd like to leave work at work. I feel very fortunate to have these options.

DS is 24, has had two jobs since college, one just to get started and the one he has now which is in the family, but he doesn't see himself doing this for the next 20 years. Our area is fairly rural, somewhat depressed, so if he wants to make a change, it probably will involve a move. He's still single and graduated debt free, so he's got plenty of options. He just knows that taking a step backwards pay wise may be a necessary gamble to move forward elsewhere.

It is a different world now. Often reps from the community colleges and two year trade schools tell my seniors that ten years ago the jobs in most demand today didn't even exist. For the most part that's true, so who really knows.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I had a few Careers during HS , Thought I was going to run the rollerskating Rink tha I worked a from 12 -16 , Then did Tool and Dye work in HS but that didn't work , Then did McDs for a year and went to school.

I have now from 19 to 42 been with the same company doing basically the same thing we have some guys over the 30+ mark i think one is even at the 40+ I hope I can finish here as I really like the job but you never know in todays world who will get the Cuts nex.

 

[aprilgail2]

Mid 20's sounds good to me. I have been with the same company since I was 21- I can retire in 5 years when I am 50! If I had waited until I was 30 th start working there I would have to wait until I was 60 to retire!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

DH has been with many jobs.

He would like to be settled but the corporate world he is in now, doesn't agree with that.
It really is nuts.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Husband is settled in his career and blissfully happy. New Years Day will be his 16th anniversary - yes he started work on a holiday. He is only 34 years old. He is in a union and has job security. So he will probably be there until he retires which we are planning on at age 50. At that point he will have 30 plus years in.

Me on the other hand have had good jobs but am currently looking for my next opportunity. I am bored now.

 

[Dr Pepsi]

I was settled into my current career at age 25 (I am almost 30). It pays well, but I'll be switching to a much more lucrative career (6 figure income) after I finish school in a year (yeah, I went to college after I had already found a career instead of before - doh!)

At some point, I'll probably retire from my future career (I'm thinking in my 50's) and have a third career as a math teacher.

So...I'm not sure when you're supposed to be settled. I plan to make 2 career changes over my lifetime (and who knows? I may make another. Ask me again in 10 years. ).

It really is amazing the kinds of opportunities we have in the USA.

 

[debbi801]

I'm 48 and been downsized 4 times. I really don't know if there is anything as being settled in a job anymore.

Sadly, I have to agree with you.

Like you, not that it makes any difference to me, but I would think by 30.

DH was settled into his career around age 25. He's been steadily employed since he graduated grad school, but the first two companies he worked for were not big and his future with them was not clear. At least one of them is gone now, not sure about the other one. He just left one job that he was at for 6 years and he thought he was firmly planted there. Now, he's pretty sure he's firmly planted at his current job. So we'll see what happens.

By the time I was 30, I thought I was fully situated in my career. I was working for a good company, there was lots of growth potential, and I was well rewarded for doing a good job. 12 years later, the company was purchased in a hostile take over and my entire office was let go in one fell swoop.

I was lucky enough to find another job quickly and I like where I am now. But, I'm nervous about getting comfortable again. I am hoping I'll stay until I retire, but I'm not going to let my resume get totally out of date again.