Courage for Career Switch

[SDSorority]

Has anyone ever gotten up the nerve to drop everything and go head - on in a career switch? I need a some encouragement- any little bit will help!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I did it a year and a half ago and haven't looked back since. I was a VERY high level assisant in State government for 20 years. I hated my hours, the commute and the last governor. (Blago, I'm looking at you).

I looked for employment at Catholic schools in my area (my kids were 7 and 8) but would be attending Catholic High School so I figured that the 1/2 off tuition perk would be helpful to say the least, after I'd take a 50% paycut.

Scored my dream job and I'm a mile from home. Off in the summer, same days off as my kids (I kinda had that at the State too, but now I get Christmas and Easter breaks off too, insteading of using my time)

At times I still think I was crazy to do it and really can't believe I did it. But the savings on aftercare, train passes, downtown parking, expensive lunches, paying my for health insurance and funding my own retirement. The 50% on "paper" wasn't really true when it came down to "take home" pay.

Good Luck

 

[tasha99]

I did it, though I didn't have all that great a career before. I was a legal assistant, which is a great job if you want flexibility, but not so great if you want benefits and a high wage.

I decided to go back to school and do a year of postbacc work in Communication Disorders and Sciences. It was a lot of fun, but actually a pretty high risk since I was taking out more student loans on top of loans I was having to struggle to pay before. The only schools in Oregon that have speech language pathologist grad programs are UofO and PSU, and admissions are pretty competitive. I got in though and am almost done with my first year. One more, and I'll have a master's degree and a job with much better wage earning prospects. Plus a bonus: I plan on working with kids, with will be very satisfying, but it's a huge field with lots of options. I could work in a hospital, a nursing home, an ENT's office, on accent reduction, in early intervention--lots of possibilities in addition to being a school speech teacher.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I tried about a dozen different things before I found my calling. If you feel like you need a change, make the move. If the next choice doesn't work out, try again. When you land where you belong, you will know it.

Life is so much sweeter when we are doing something that we enjoy for a living. A job does not have to feel like work. It can be fun...

 

[dakcp2001]

Has anyone ever gotten up the nerve to drop everything and go head - on in a career switch? I need a some encouragement- any little bit will help!

I used to work in a cubicle, I hated it day one, and hated it every day for the 6 years that followed. I left Aug 2008 went to a 2 year Nursing school and graduate on May 27 this year! I made a LOT of money at my old job, but I still do not regret leaving at all! I am thankful every day that I am doing what I love and working with people face to face.


Follow your gut. Dream Big! You only get one shot at this life,so you need to follow your heart on this one. We spend SO much of our lives at our job, if you are not satisfied in what you do, move on. It is not as much "work" when you enjoy it and are challenged.

 

[Imzadi]

OP, I'm a little concerned when you say, "drop everything" to pursue your career switch. I do some coaching for Tony Robbins' live events. He is the leading Personal Power life coach in the industry and is all about pursuing your dreams, living with passion, etc.

However, even in his TV infomercial, cds/DVDs & books, he NEVER says he advises to "drop everything" to do it. Instead, he clearly advises to get clear on what you want. Have DOABLE, ACHIEVABLE goals set up. (Like if you are 4'10 and want to become the greatest basket ball star for the NBA, it might not realistically be attainable.)

Then, most importantly, create an ACTION plan that is sound, realistic and doable. Do you need to go back to school to learn your new career? Do you need to get a secondary job first, to get enough funding? Do you need to mentor with someone already doing your dream? Do you have the necessary business skills in place? What is the FIRST step you can immediately take?

It may not be about dropping everything, but transitioning in, step by step, moving you toward you goals and dreams.

Many of Tony's books, tapes/CDs/DVDs are at libraries. Also cheaper on eBay tha buying off hos website. He has a couple YouTube videos online from actual seminars here he does live coaching at the seminars. The ones on the 6 Human Needs and the ones on Values are great ones.

Depending on where you live, there may be PowerTeam networking groups, so you will find a healthy support system of likeminded people, who are also based in pursuing one's dreams with healthy, well-focused, sound steps and action plans.

If you are interested in attending one of Tony's live seminars, I can get you an employee discount. This is not a referral. It is like a coupon discount code. The discounts are usually like, up to 50% off of certain events or bringing a friend/spouse for free. PM me if you are interested.

 

[dakcp2001]

You should have a plan, and savings to cover the swithc & some extra. I am not sure you need a seminar, lol.

Can you take a leave of absence from your current job? Or an Educational Leave of absence? DO you have savings to cover living expenses? Or can you move in with parents or whatever?
\
What career are you trying to switch into? Is there a market for it (wish Id looked into this, I am going to have to relocated to get hired as a new grad RN)

BUt I think you should get the ball rolling in the direction you want to be. Liste to Dr Seuss "You have brains in your head & feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose"

 

[stevenpensacola]

If you're miserable doing what you're doing...CHANGE!

Life's too short to be miserable...and we're not getting any younger.

I recently changed jobs...left a good company...but I knew there was no way I could go out there every day for the next 15 years...pursued another opportunity, and haven't looked back....

Just don't burn any bridges if you leave.