Ever changed careers?

[skylizard]

I'm at a point where I'm wondering if I should switch careers. I have a finance degree and an mba, but ended up working in accounting. I don't hate my job, but I just don't love it. After 6 years of being in the same position and company, I'm ready for a change. Problem is I just don't know if I should stay in the accounting field, try to switch over to finance, or do something totally different. I've thought about a couple of different options (studying for the CMA, studying to become an actuary, and even crazy ideas like going into IT and getting some kind of certification). I feel like my mind is just all over the place and I don't know how to really figure out what I want to do.

Has any one ever changed careers? How did you decide to do it and how did you actually do it? Was it worth it?

 

[Pigeon]

I'd start by trying to pinpoint what it is about my current job I like and what I don't like, and what I'd be looking for in a new career.

 

[slytherinbratz]

I changed my career path once. I started out going through jr college for an Elementary Education Degree now I'm working my way through nursing school. It was the best decision I vet made. I looked at the money & hiring potential. Nurses were more in demand.

Take a look at what your doing now. If your truly not happy you never will be. I have a friend who is a nurse who is burnt out & hateful about her job now. Who knows it may just be where your working & not the job itself.

 

[bookgirl]

Yep.

Was a special ed teacher then went back and got my masters and I'm now a librarian (not media specialist so out of the school setting).

I did it in my 30's as I knew that I did not want to have a career change after 40.

I was lucky that my family knew I wanted to switch careers and they supported me quitting the school setting and spending two years going after my degree while working part time. Mostly emotional support but my brother paid for two sememsters of classes (not books or anything else just the actual classes), and my mom got me a cell phone since I was commuting and would also buy me groceries once a month.

Best decision ever. (for me)

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm in my 60's now so have slowed down in the career changing.

After high school I had a short stint as an interstate truck driver. Then became a firefighter for 9 years. Next I was a police officer for 7 years. Next up was an accident investigator for an insurance company for another 7 years. I then spent 7 years as a stay at home dad (best job so far) and right now I've been an insurance agent for 13 years. I retire in 8 months.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I earned a BS in Accounting and worked as a tax auditor for years. In 2008 I returned to school for a year to earn a BS in Elementary Education. I then started my career as a 5th grade teacher.

 

[CupcakeKelly]

I earned a BS in Accounting and worked as a tax auditor for years. In 2008 I returned to school for a year to earn a BS in Elementary Education. I then started my career as a 5th grade teacher.

You just described exactly what I want to do. I'm a tax analyst, but want to make the switch over to teaching. I took our state test for Middle and High school math, so I'm licensed, but the pay cut would be tough

 

[indygirl99]

I am currently a nurse and have been in my profession for 30 years.

If I have very many more days like the last few I'm going to retire and move to Florida and work as a seamstress to feed my addiction for Sparkle Skirts.

 

[IUTBAM]

My DH did in his late 20's. He got a B.S. in Soil Science and worked for an agro-lawn care company for awhile. He hated that, so went into teaching (middle school science...took night classes to get his teaching certification,
while teaching...this was allowed in Texas at the time....late 80's).

He was teaching when we met, and after we got married, he decided he wanted something that would support our family in the event I decided to be a SAHM (which I eventually did). He went back to grad school and got a M.S. in Soil Science. He entered the world of environmental, health and safety for the oil and gas industry. He has worked his way up over the years, and now pulls in a VERY nice salary in an industry that hasn't slowed down, and will not slow down for the foreseeable future (oil and gas/energy). He loves his job, and makes almost 10 times what he made as a teacher. Very good move for him.

 

[jam217]

My first career was as a newspaper reporter. After I had my son, I decided the hours weren't family friendly so I went back to school and got my masters and teaching certificate. I teach middle school, and I love it. Everyday is aways different and challenging. Honestly, the salary isn't bad -- close to six figures.

 

[Iamthequeen]

My first full-time job was as a secretary, then I moved into computer programming (back in the days of COBOL). Then I became a SAHM. Once the kids were in school, I went back to school for elementary education. Decided I really was not cut out to be a teacher, so I switched my major to Geography, with an emphasis on land use planning. I've been working as a land use planner for nearly 20 years. It was the best career change ever - for me at least, my kids think its boring.

 

[Jeafl]

I worked in advertising for 11 years, then stayed home with my kids or a few years. After that I went back to school and now teach special ed.

 

[msd1776]

I have had a handful of different career paths in the same industry/company. Are there options in your current company to move into a different career path? If so, that is what I would look in to.good luck!!!!

 

[Cavy]

I'm thinking about it. I got a Master's in a Liberal Arts field, and now I'm teaching. I think I'd like to go back to school to become a veterinarian. It's what I thought I'd be when I was a kid, I don't even know how I got where I am really. I already did the calculus, now all I need is all the science prerequisites

 

[PeterPanic]

Change...it's good for the soul.

I got a degree in Business Administration. The trouble with that type of degree is that it is a broad definition that fits into many specific knowledge's.
I never knew what career I wanted to focus on, so I didn't focus on any of them. I started out as a Retail Store Manager. I then changed to the Printing and Publishing business. Completely new field to be absorbed. After a number of years of that, I bought a Residential Care Home. My wife and I operated it until she decided she didn't like it anymore and I spent the next 14 years operating it. Administering medications, counseling, cleaning, cooking, shopping, bookkeeping, plumbing, electrical, landscaping, painting, wallpapering, laundry, you name it. When I closed the business, I went into Accounting for about 5 years. That wasn't much of a stretch because accounting is accounting no matter where you are. Just different numbers and parameters to follow. I didn't care for that much, I found it way too defined, no freedom to change things. Accounting is not for wannabe rebels. At age 55, I decided that I had enough of management and trained to be a bus driver. I worked as a municipal bus driver for a few years and then when an opportunity to move into management in that field arose, I went for it and got the job. I retired from that occupation. I now still drive occasionally just for something to do when I'm not playing golf.

I never regretted changing around. It caused me to almost start over many times, but I learned a lot of things and became a jack of all trades, but, master of none. I know now that if I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't do anything different than how I did it. I didn't plan it that way, I just let things happen and didn't worry about it. I raised two wonderful daughters and somehow got them through college. I'm not wealthy like I might be if I had stuck with one thing until I became an absolute expert on whatever I choose. But I'm comfortable and happy with how my life has gone.

 

[SLCborn]

I did it not too long ago and have not regretted a single second of it. I was an Elementary teacher mostly teaching 3rd grade. I then decided to go back to school to get into Behavior Health which I did in the Elementary part time along with part time teaching. I finally decided I was done with education and went back to school in the medical field.

I now work in Radiology and absolutely LOVE IT!!! I changed "later" in life and so far it's been the best choice I have ever made.

 

[Jennasis]

I went to college to study TV production and worked for 7 years as a cameraman, editor and helicopter photographer in NY. Emmy nominated for my work. Covered TWA Flight 800, 9/11, countless breaking stories, elections, met politicians and celebrities.

A few weeks after 9/11 I had an epiphany regarding working in tv. Gave notice and went to work full time as a riding instructor. I now own my own farm and am a full time horse back riding instructor, and horse trainer.

 

[MickeySP]

I changed hugely! My degree was in education specifically working with children with emotional problems in the criminal system. I interned and new 30 days in - OMG I cannot do this the rest of my life.

so what happened LOL!! I am have been in LE force 28 years. I am the black sheep in a family of defense attorneys, they get 'em out - I put 'em in!!

 

[honeydiane1953]

I have done many different jobs. Some I loved and some I hated. The really hated jobs just made me appreciate the good ones. I was a hairdresser for 20 years and loved it. Then became a nurse and liked it. So change is good. I can't imagine staying at a job for 30+ years doing the same thing.

 

[Disney Doll]

I've always been a nurse. I've done a few different things within nursing, but always nursing related.