Have you ever made a major career change?

[happybratpack]

What did you change from and to? How'd you do it? Did you have to go back to school? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Yes. I was an RN and I went back to school at the state university at the age of 37 and became an occupational therapist.

My DH has made 2 major career changes, 2 of them after the age of 40! He was a retail manager for many years, went back to the university at the same time I did, and became a physical therapist! Then several years later, he took a few classes at the community college, apprenticed with a local company for 6 months, then became self-employed as a mobile computer tech.

We both still keep up all our licenses because you never know when you might want to use them. No more school for us now, though, as we are paying off student loans and socking away money for retirement!

Oh yeah, I also have a small business selling out-of-print books and paper ephemera, but I wouldn't really call it a career change--I don't think I make enough $$ to call it a career.

 

[mannasn]

I worked in the engineering department at a large heavy equipment manufacturing corporation for several years. Since then, I've entered nursing school. I'll graduate in May as an RN, BSN (well, supposing I pass boards). I'm 29.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I was a retail manager and now I am in my second semester of college to become a teacher's aide. After I become a teacher's aide, I will continue with school part time to become a certified teacher.

 

[lemondog]

Yes, for almost a decade I was a copywriter at an ad agency. Quit to be a SAHM, and recently went back to work PT as a preschool teacher. TOTALLY different field. Did not have to go back to school, and I don't really consider this to be a career, but rather a job I very much enjoy and that allows me to be near my children all day and have free childcare to boot. Who knows...maybe I will continue to enjoy it so much I want to make a career out of it! Still, it's a completely different area of work than my previous one, and so far I really enjoy it. At least now when I work around people acting juvenile, they really ARE juveniles!

 

[happybratpack]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

I'm really wanting to take some other path career wise, but I'm not sure what. I've pretty much lost all interest in mine and I'm just "here". (if that makes sense) When I think about sitting here for the next 25 or so years it doesn't make me feel good.

 

[mickman1962]

Started out as a retail manager, became a chef, IT as a Systems Analyst and now am an Electro-Mechanical Engineer. I seem to get bored with my work after 5-10 years and try and do something completely different.

 

[airplane]

I am going through this now.
I am an envrionmental planner and I don't really like what I do and I can not picture myself doing this the rest of my life so I have been searching for a new job for the past year. I want to stay in the area I live in and it's VERY hard to find a job using my degree that pays good money so I decided to try applying for things that I never thought I would want to do. I was just offered a job w/ the USPS to be a mail carrier and although I will not be using my degree, I am so excited to get out of my current job and I am willing to do pretty much anything. I am very nervous about my decision and I have to decide in the next 2 to 4 weeks.

 

[Disney Doll]

Around here, people would kill for a UPS job!!!! The money is good, their benefits are, the freedom is nice. The downside is the physical part...lifting etc. but if you're relatively young, that shouldn't be too big of an issue.

I am in the htroes of looking to change jobs. I have been a nurse for 22 years., most of it spent on a med/surg floor in a hospital, and I am definitely getting burnt out. We are asked to do more and more work with less and less staff, the patients don't appreciate you, the hospital administration doesn't appreciate you, the workload is getting tougher physically as I get older. I am trying to figure out what to do to use my background without having to go back to school for something completely different, but it isn't easy.

 

[Aidensmom]

I've made several, and it wouldn't surprise me if I do it again some time in the future. I did not go back to school.

I have a BA in Psychology and Sociology, and started out working in the mental health field as a case manager. Several years later I changed fields to work as an accounting clerk at a construction company, and several years later I changed again to become a Project Manager/Office Manager at another construction company. I currently do technical support and QA at a software company.

 

[HayGan]

My first career position was as a marketing coordinator for a commercial and industrial real estate appraisal and tax consulting firm. I left that position to work as a consultant in the metals and mining industry (primarily steel.) I'm still working at the position today (almost 8 years later!)

No new education (other than on the job learning) needed. It was my skill set that was transferable rather than my knowledge base.

 

[Kteacher]

I have a B.S. in marketing, and B.K. ( before kids ) , I was a jewelry buyer for a large dept. store. After my first was born I worked for the same dept. store as a p/t mgr. and new hire trainer. When our youngest entered 1st grade, I was asked by a kindergarten teacher in my kids' school if I would consider working as the paraprofessional in her classroom. Eight years later, I'm still there I've been asked by the school to get my teaching certificate so they can hire me as a classroom teacher, but haven't decided yet. I still have a p/t job with a national retailer- I love working in retail, and the employee discount is great

 

[LeCras]

I have been in IT for ten years, but am getting bored with it. Once my current contract is up I have been offered a job as cabin crew. Definitely a big change, very much looking forward to it!

Charlotte