Career switch?

Star I havent, but my dad did this about 6 years ago. My dad is going to be 52 this year, so at the time he was 46 and making a career change.

My dad grew up his entire life knowing retail. He was district manager for a store called Rockbottom (duane reade actually bought the chain) and he was great at his job. The company was being sold so he went to a different company called All for a dollar. The company wasnt a big hit. 99 cent stores were taking over.

So he made a huge change, he is now an account manager for Orkin Exterminating. He basically sells the service. He goes to restaurants, buildings, companies and does inspections and deals with contracts then goes back to the office and sets up the appointments for the techs to go and do the buggy slaying.

This was a huge change for him and it made him happy. He is not as stressed, and basically makes his own schedule.

When I went for an interview with a company the 2 people i was meeting were lawyers and they did a change. they can still practice but found working in finance a little more rewarding because they got to go to other countries and travel, travel all over the US, and because of there law degree they were able to have an upper hand on the contracts and fine prints of everything.

I am working on my resume to hopefully work for metlife in the city i currently work for allstate on the island

I'm also at that point in my life. It's a very confusing time. I personally work in tv production and I'm thinking of making the change to teaching. I've always had a secret desire to teach, but what if I hate it? Is this the time economically to quit whatever job we have to 'test the waters?' Believe me, I ask myself these questions everyday!! It's scary!! You're not alone...I try to think that I'll make the right decision for myself and my future!
Good luck!!

I am definitely thinking of a career change, but it's such a hard decision to make. I'm not an attorney, but I'm a CPA and life in the 'Big Four' gets harder everyday. I've thought numerous times about teaching, but to invest more $$ in schooling (already have a CPA and an MBA) plus have to student-teach. I don't know - it's so hard, and what if I hate it??????? I have found a temporary solution - my firm is sponsoring a Junior Achievement program in the City schools and they are looking for volunteers to teach 1-2 hours a week. I figure I'll do that and see whether or not I enjoy teaching enough to make a major life change. If not, then at least I did some work for a good charity and maybe helped some kids. If I really enjoy it, then maybe that will be the kick in the a$$ that I need to change.

Best of Luck to ya!!!

It's nice to hear that I'm not the only one with uncertainties. I'm not practicing in the field I want to right now, the market is so tough and competition is fierce. I'm hoping to really do more serious job hunting once the wedding is over. But it seems the more time I spend away from the field I want to be in, the harder it's going to be to get a job in it. I feel like I've worked so hard and haven't gotten to where I want to be. Plus I owe so much from law school it's ridiculous and would feel bad if I switched out of law entirely - but what if I'm miserable??

Thanks for sharing guys.

Im in the process of changing careers now. for a 2nd and last time !

I started out in retail. (1995) Went to F.I.T., got a Bachelors in Marketing/Management. Worked as an Assistant Buyer for 2 stores. Loved it. But started to hate the trend of cold personalities and phonies in the field.
I should have known on my first day of college, at 17, (1991) when my Professor went around the room asking us how many children we wanted to have. Everyone said 'one' 'two' or 'none' and I said 'six' As much as I am very ambitious and goal-oriented career-wise, I have always felt in my heart that devoting time to family would always be a priority for me. But since I wasnt even in a relationship at the time, it didnt really hit me that it might be a little bit of an issue to be ambitious and 'successful' at both a 'buying' career and a family, and I thought I could have the best of both worlds. Why not ?

Well it was a blessing in disguise that I picked up and left retail without even having found another job. (1998) I found a job within about 6 weeks. It was in the computer field. I LOVEDDDD it, loved the environment, loved the growth potential, I was learning by leaps and bounds, new challenges and new accomplishments every day, and uhmm, loved the money ! All the while, I had started going for a Masters Degree in Education (1997). Even before I had left retail. I just wanted to get this Masters Degree and teaching was always in the back of my mind.

I started the degree and stopped midway (well less than midway)... (1999) I was in a great spot at work, progressing nicely and really didnt feel 'up to' taking such a huge pay cut, and being put into any school in any borough...ok, kinda selfish...

Fast forward to the next year (2000), my life took a turn. Got engaged, got married, moved to Suffolk and decided to leave my job because the commute was just too much (white plains).
I had a few good jobs out here, all temp or consultant basis. The last time I got laid off, I just took it as a sign that it was another crossroad in life and shortly (2months) thereafter became pregnant... Now my priorites are REALLY starting to shift !

I have been 'home' for the past year, and have come to the decision, that I am finally following my dreams to teach. I am now enrolled in grad school, while I am home with my son. I am very excited to be making this career change. I cant wait till the day that I step foot into a classroom, and I can teach a child something new.

I have worked with children in several volunteer organizations, and the most memorable and worthwhile times in my life we those spent with children, where the simple act of 'being there' made a difference in their lives. (Ok, one tangent please ?? I'll be quick. One program I Was part of at VSC (VOlunteer Services for children) was their Saturday Outing program where we took kids that were either orphaned or had parents in jail, we took them to zoos, the beach, parks, etc etc. Well one tall kid, Brian, he was 13, I was 18. At the beach, he bought me a pencil !! I could have cried. Also he wanted soo badly to be able to call me when he needed someone to talk to. He was in different foster homes very often and was scared and lonely. our strict rules were to NOT have any contact with these children besides on VSC outings. I had to tell him no and see the hurt in his eyes. It brought tears to my eyes on the way home that day to think that some kids out there, as we speak are in a lonely, cold world.....and all that would make them happy is someone to talk to...someone who would understand them and listen....

I know that teachers make a difference, because there are some teachers of mine, that I 'quote' to this day and that I think of sooo fondly... even when I see them, it brings a smile to my face. To think that I can make a difference inthe life of one child, maybe make someone love books, or follow their dreams, is what pulls me to get pursue this...

Sorry, I think I went over the word limit again..
Sorry for any typos, getting very tired

I know I will do a slight career change in the future. I can totally see myself getting burnt out from being a nurse on such a busy hospital floor. I'd love to get into pharmeceuticals or possibly go back for my masters to become a nurse practitioner-I just need the ambition which I have a FAT ZERO of!

DANI i think you should go for it,that sounds like a very rewarding job