Career Change

[Route66]

Just curious of peoples opinions on career change?

Peoples advice in real life & online always seems to be is do what makes you happy, & it’s never too late to change career. But I do wonder just how this works?

Has anyone here changed career randomly/to something completely different that they had no experience in?
I'm 23 been in my current job 4 years, its ok but I want something more challenging, I've got a few qualifications out of it and my salary has slowly risen.

If I change career now I'm essentially starting all over again and my salary will almost definitely drop, this is what’s daunting me/holding me back. Plus I feel I’m at an age where I need to stay in something settled & solid. I currently don’t have kids or a mortgage etc so I do know its do able.

Just want people’s opinions/stories if you've done anything like this or just general advice? Have you ever been in a long term job earning say around 40/50K mark then moved to something new with no experience and dropped down to say 20K? How did you cope with this?

Finally i have no degree (UK). Even with plenty of office experience I worry I stand no chance against people around the same age as me or possibly younger that already have a suitable degree for the job, as even now the job market is still very tough in the UK.

Thanks,

 

[GQguy]

I did man. I was enlisted military working on F-16's. I left that job to go back to school to finish a degree in Engineering. I then graduated and went to pilot training...finishing recently. Best decision ever. It sucked giving up that pay while in college...but I'm making double what I made when I left. And looking at making just under/over 6 figures at the end of the year. Best of all though my confidence has shot through the roof.

Now is the time to make those decisions. Don't wait till my age 31 to make those things happen...it's likely too late. Act now, suffer now to be rewarded later. The girls aren't going anywhere...and neither is the fun.

 

[Mitchell]

This is something I have experience with, recently.. so hopefully my advice will be helpful.

I changed careers in late 2013. I had been in direct marketing/antique sales for many years, both when I lived in the state of Pennsylvania, and since I had moved to New York.

I posted my resume on a career website.. and was contacted by Aflac Insurance. I went through an interview process. I had no experience in insurance whatsoever. I had to go through extensive training, and pass the New York State insurance exam, which took me several tries. I now work at Aflac.

The difference with me, as opposed to what you are discussing, is that insurance is a completely commission based business. As I'm building an insurance business, my income has come from my former career of sales.

In regard to the drop in salary, and the lack of a degree.

I have my uni degree, in history, but that has no relevance to the career I'm in now. On the subject of a salary drop for a time, that's something that only you can decide.

You're also much younger than I am. (I was 43/44 years old when I went through the whole process of the change to the career in insurance). You have plenty of time to change careers, and then build a good, lucrative career.

Good Luck. I love to hear about people who follow their dreams. If you feel this is the right decision for you, go for it. More power to you!

 

[TTT for joy]

The most important thing in life is to be happy. Job and career are just means to it. If you are happy (and believe you will stay happy) with the status quo there is no need to rush into changing your job. If you're unsatasfied with what you're doing or with your salary, then perhaps a change might be a good idea.

 

[chicago]

Do what you want, within reason. You have to be able to provide a life for yourself at least. You also have to think about retirement. Who knows what kind of assistance the gov't (if any) will provide decades down the line. You should begin to take responsibility for that now. What type of life you want, is up to you. If you want a comfortable one, you're going to want to find something where you can make money to make that work. If you don't mind slumming it up for a position you enjoy more, then do that.

It's called "work" and not "fun" for a reason, so finding something that you enjoy is a rare luxury. Most people work in order to pay for things that will make the rest of their time enjoyable. Yes, many people land their dream job, but real life doesn't necessarily make that easy for the average person and practicality comes first. If you have parents that will help you, awesome, but if you don't, you have to think about things a bit more. If your decision requires going to school, consider the cost. Not just tuition, but how you're going to afford living expenses as well. Also, consider the emotional / mental / physical costs. If you go into something you "enjoy" will you have to work twice as much for half as much money? Does that idea bother you? Will working and going to school be too difficult? Don't compare yourself to what your "peers" are doing or what the next person is going through. Everyone's journey is different and it's not a race.

I went to university for journalism because I enjoyed writing and all my teachers and my mom told me to "follow my dreams" much like what every other millennial has heard. No one told me how difficult it would be to find employment or how expensive real life is, etc. So, I ended up 8 grand in debt just to learn that lesson the hard way. Now I'm in culinary and it's definitely hard work, but I learned to take pride in it and I do enjoy it. Plus, it is more practical.

My aunt quit her job as a teacher at the age of 40 to go back to school to get her masters in Physics.

It's never too late to go to school or change your career and you can't underestimate the power of inaction. One day of procrastinating quickly turns into 10 years, but one step in the right direction today could lead you to great heights down the line. It's all up to you and what you want and what you can handle.

 

[piyr]

I can't add much more than what's already been said other than it seems that you're in a good position to make a change if you decide that's what's best. I have children and am in debt with a substantial student loan after two advanced degrees and then choosing what has so far been an unfulfilling career in sales. Change is much more difficult when other people are relying on you for support. What Chicago said is so true - one day quickly turns into 10 years.

 

[Mitchell]

I should add one thing to my previous post..

The career in insurance just kind of happened for me. It wasn't anything planned, etc.

I have a trademark, on a product that I would really like to turn into a business.. However, my father and I were having this very discussion last week. His feeling is that trying to invent/market a new product, in this still difficult economy is questionable at best. My father pointed out to me that I've worked diligently to study for, pass my insurance exam, and now to attempt to get clients. He thinks I'm on a path, and I should continue it. I see his point, and plan to take his advice, and stick with insurance.

 

[GQguy]

I forgot to mention that a young man has to think about a wife and children in the future. Making enough to take care of both is extremely attractive. Making only enough to take care of yourself is not. Let that factor into your decision. And I'll tell ya...making enough to take care of a family as a single man is pretty sweet.

 

[Route66]

Thanks for the advice everyone, definitely going to look into other things. Even if it means a salary drop I don’t mind, I can’t imagine staying in my current industry all my life.

Mitchell - Ironically insurance is one of the things I am interested in. In the UK most places want experience or a degree (even if the degree is unrelated) So its a real struggle to get my foot in the door but am hoping with a new approach something will come up now. Any tips on what I could mention in a cover letter when contacting insurance firms what they like to here other than the basics?

 

[BrightEyes1082]

I made a change a couple years ago, but I didn't quit my job. I'm still working, and finishing
up school. So the path has changed greatly, but I'm not quite finished.

 

[WorkInProgress]

Route 66: Do you have something specific that you want to transition into? It's a lot more meaningful to talk about entering a specific career than just the general idea of a career change. And I think you'll have the greatest chance of success if there's something specific that you believe you belong in.

GQ Guy: Wow, you're using 31 as an example of an age not to wait for, an age when you should be long since settled? I hope you're wrong, or else I'm really in trouble at 52!

 

[Bohemianne]

I made a change a couple years ago, but I didn't quit my job. I'm still working, and finishing
up school. So the path has changed greatly, but I'm not quite finished.

^ IMO, this is the most suitable thing to do for the situation. Keep the daytime job, manage time and try to continue to study in the evening or weekends.

 

[Mitchell]

66, in regard to your question:

I'm honestly not sure what you could mention in your cover letter to insurance companies, to get them interested. They are different than what I went through at Aflac. I had no experience, or degree, that had anything to do with insurance. They have (and are continuing to) completely train me on the laws, mandates, and selling of insurance, to the point where the supervisors have to sit in on all new perspective clients with the new agents. My only experience was in sales of antiques/products/ and jewelry, which has nothing to do with insurance.

My advice, and what I did.

If you're interested in insurance, tell the companies you're applying to,.. why you want to embark on a career in insurance. In my case, it was three reasons. I had experience in sales, insurance is a potentially lucrative career, and, the company I work for, Aflac, is one of the largest insurance companies in the world, with excellent potential for earning, clients, and advancement.

 

[GQguy]

GQ Guy: Wow, you're using 31 as an example of an age not to wait for, an age when you should be long since settled? I hope you're wrong, or else I'm really in trouble at 52!

It's never too late. Doors start to close though in your 20's. He's in a pretty good position for change right now. No wife..no kids..still young and energetic enough for the biggest tasks. And still young enough to fully reap 40+ years of his hard work. The things he does now will dictate the lifestyle he leads and the lifestyle of his children. Wait till my age to do things and it's still possible...but to undertake the toughest challenges he'll either have to sacrifice his personal life(marriage, children) or have them living a reduced lifestyle.

 

[Strider]

When you're talking about changing careers do you mean taking a comparable position to what you do now and simply moving to a different industry? Or do you mean actually moving into a field different than what you do now?

If it's the former, then there's not necessarily going to be any need to take a reduction in salary; you can just take your qualifications elsewhere.

If it's the latter, then it may very well involve some form of degree or certification that you don't currently have. In that case, you'd be well-advised to look into part time programs unless you've got the ability to just not work when you're attending school.

My honest-to-the-gods opinion on this is that you (and for that matter, anyone considering these sorts of decisions) should look at ways to enhance your value in your current field.

I got my BA in political science from a top 30 university and fully intended to eventually get my PhD and teach at that level. Reality ended up getting in the way and five years after graduating, I'm now an operations manager and prepping to attend to business school in the fall to get my MBA (going part time while continuing to work). Is this what I love? Not really; but it's enjoyable enough, plays to my skill-set, and frankly, it's the soup that I'm swimming in, so I'm going to actually invest in that. To echo what a couple of other posters have said, I tend to think the 'follow your dreams' mantra is a bit of a crock and what you should follow is a position that allows you to actually have the resources to lead the personal life you want.

 

[JoBelle]

No degree? Not the only option unless it is required for the career you want. On the other side of things.... I'm overly educated. LOL Degrees in communications, sociology, business and yet I still work for myself in the art world and don't utilize any of that education. The good news is, it's ok. For several years I scrimped by but was happy being an "artist." But I didn't make enough money to feel secure. Played with some graphics work...not happy. Went back to college to get another degree. Still don't use it. In the end, I found what I enjoy...and that's all I do. I work out of a studio attached to my home and I have a steady flow of clients for my work. It has taken ten years, but totally worth it! You get one go on the planet. Get yourself financially set so you can take the time and get where you want to be. Good luck

 

[Route66]

Thanks again for everyone's help. Currently looking into several options of what I want to do. Luckily I don't hate my current job so not rushing into anything, going to keep thinking what I really want long-term in my career.

 

[General Zod]

Stay away from driving big rig. What these companies pay people brand new to trucking is revolting.

 

[tickledorange]

I did it for love. I used to do corporate accounting, but I love doing it where I am now because the hours are not as many and are more stable. I also get to spend more time with my husband and family.