NWR: Who has made a huge career change before?

This is kind of vent-ish.

I'm torn.

I currently work in student affairs, and I am miserable. I'm a very creative person and I feel like all of my ideas are being shot down due to bureaucratic reasons. I hate working 9-5. I understand that each job has things that I won't like, but I'm just miserable. I've already gone through grad school, and I feel like my grad degree was a waste.

I'd LOVE to get my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry/Creative Writing, but there's not really money in poetry unless you also teach. I'm not sure I would be a great teacher, but who knows?. DH and I are moving to Philly in June, so now is a great time to start thinking about new jobs. Anyone else ever feel stuck? Any suggestions on jobs because I just don't know what would fulfill my desire to be creative!

Thanks for listening, ladies .

I personally have not but was seriosuly thinking about it for years b/c i wasn't going anywhere in any of my jobs.

here is my advice: you don't want to regret ANYTHING. You might absolutely love the change and wondered why you didn't do it before. And if you don't like it, you can always go back to doing what you were doing. You will never know until you try.

I say go for it

I'm planning a very big change in careers once this wedding is over.

I'll be (hopefully) going from working in a creative environment (doing H.R. in the B'way theatre industry) to going into a federal position, in law enforcement. I just feel like it's my calling.

Philly is a super-creative town. Maybe try to work in one of the colleges there?

If you need an outlet for your creativity, there's always open mic nights at different places and if you're creative with tangible items, perhaps set up an etsy shop?

It's really, really difficult to make a living off of your creativity...there's a lot of competition out there...but doing something in your free time definitely helps with a work/life balance.

Just hit the ground running. You don't want to live in the 'what if?' mode...you want to live in the 'I did' mode!
Good luck!!

After dropping out of a 4 year university to go get an A.A.S. in Digital Photography (and finishing the program) I realized it wasn't for me...I tried to figure out what I wanted to do, went back to school for my B.A. and I'm currently getting my M.S.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling.

It was really scary to do, but I know I'll be more fulfilled helping people lead better lives than I would have been helping the rich get richer while having no steady salary or benefits and not being able to pursue my own photography.

I say do what is going to make you happy...you spend 40+ hours a week at work, you should be doing something you love, not something that makes you miserable.

ummmm ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I HATE my career choice. I love fashion. Hate the direction I went with. I wanted a boutique, and than the corporate world took over and it suxs.

i say do it. You live once. And I personally feel like Happiness is worth the pay cut (from experience, and what i am going through now... I'm a firm believer).


You need to pursue what makes you happy. Take it from someone who is a walking talking mess about her Job. Be ready for hard work, but be happy you are pursuing your dream...

And now I think I will take my own advice...

If you have an opportunity to change jobs...DO IT! There is always a lot to consider, especially financially, but if you're moving and there's a window for you, climb on through.

If I hadn't decided to leave my job, I'd never have gotten to where I am today.

I would kill to work 9-5

i def feel like I am stuck in my current job, and have to wait until FH gets his MBA in order for me to even think of doing something different.

I say, if you can financially afford it, go for it!

I know it's hard. I say try it! It's better to do it now before you have kids. That will make it harder. I'm all for following your dreams. I know it's scary though.

I am 99% sure I'm making a BIG career change this year. I've been a teacher for 4 years, but am applying to go back to school to go into the medical feild. I'm finishing my application today. It's scary, but I feel this is the time to do it. Otherwise I never will!

Good luck!

Not now but I feel that eventually I might.

I have 1 MA which was a waste of time and $. I'm getting my 2nd MA primarily so I can get licensed and can leave my current job and at not be a waste of space here.

I think that if you don't have any kids and nothing really holding you down then i'd go for it. Once kids are in the picture it's def not out of the question but it def makes it easier.

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Posted by miamimerger

This is kind of vent-ish.

I'm torn.

I currently work in student affairs, and I am miserable. I'm a very creative person and I feel like all of my ideas are being shot down due to bureaucratic reasons. I hate working 9-5. I understand that each job has things that I won't like, but I'm just miserable. I've already gone through grad school, and I feel like my grad degree was a waste.

I'd LOVE to get my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry/Creative Writing, but there's not really money in poetry unless you also teach. I'm not sure I would be a great teacher, but who knows?. DH and I are moving to Philly in June, so now is a great time to start thinking about new jobs. Anyone else ever feel stuck? Any suggestions on jobs because I just don't know what would fulfill my desire to be creative!

Thanks for listening, ladies .

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Which area of student affairs are you in? I'm in the same field to but as an Academic Advisor. If you find it hard to make the switch, I know stduent activities allows you a little more creativity (but expect night & evening shifts) or some universityies have art galliries that you could mangae if you want to fill that creative side. You could even do it with res life but I doubt you wanna go back to dorm life since your about to get married.

I understand what you mean though, because sometimes I have to struggle to find the creative side of me with the job. It's kinda like you have to keep a hobbie or a busineess on the side to allow for this. Hope you find something that make you happy

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Posted by futureMrsJSL

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Posted by miamimerger

This is kind of vent-ish.

I'm torn.

I currently work in student affairs, and I am miserable. I'm a very creative person and I feel like all of my ideas are being shot down due to bureaucratic reasons. I hate working 9-5. I understand that each job has things that I won't like, but I'm just miserable. I've already gone through grad school, and I feel like my grad degree was a waste.

I'd LOVE to get my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry/Creative Writing, but there's not really money in poetry unless you also teach. I'm not sure I would be a great teacher, but who knows?. DH and I are moving to Philly in June, so now is a great time to start thinking about new jobs. Anyone else ever feel stuck? Any suggestions on jobs because I just don't know what would fulfill my desire to be creative!

Thanks for listening, ladies .

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Which area of student affairs are you in? I'm in the same field to but as an Academic Advisor. If you find it hard to make the switch, I know stduent activities allows you a little more creativity (but expect night & evening shifts) or some universityies have art galliries that you could mangae if you want to fill that creative side. You could even do it with res life but I doubt you wanna go back to dorm life since your about to get married.

I understand what you mean though, because sometimes I have to struggle to find the creative side of me with the job. It's kinda like you have to keep a hobbie or a busineess on the side to allow for this. Hope you find something that make you happy

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Funny you mention student activities...because I'm the Director of Student Activities at a college . You would think it's more creative, right? I had an easier time being creative when I worked in Academic Support. The environment I am in now is not very supportive; the only thing keeping me going is the fact that I can make advertisements (I LOVE that). DH thinks once I get out of this school I'll probably like student affairs more...but I knew early on in grad school that it probably wasn't the right career for me. Now I just have to figure out what to do!

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Posted by miamimerger

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Posted by futureMrsJSL

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Posted by miamimerger

This is kind of vent-ish.

I'm torn.

I currently work in student affairs, and I am miserable. I'm a very creative person and I feel like all of my ideas are being shot down due to bureaucratic reasons. I hate working 9-5. I understand that each job has things that I won't like, but I'm just miserable. I've already gone through grad school, and I feel like my grad degree was a waste.

I'd LOVE to get my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry/Creative Writing, but there's not really money in poetry unless you also teach. I'm not sure I would be a great teacher, but who knows?. DH and I are moving to Philly in June, so now is a great time to start thinking about new jobs. Anyone else ever feel stuck? Any suggestions on jobs because I just don't know what would fulfill my desire to be creative!

Thanks for listening, ladies .

---

Which area of student affairs are you in? I'm in the same field to but as an Academic Advisor. If you find it hard to make the switch, I know stduent activities allows you a little more creativity (but expect night & evening shifts) or some universityies have art galliries that you could mangae if you want to fill that creative side. You could even do it with res life but I doubt you wanna go back to dorm life since your about to get married.

I understand what you mean though, because sometimes I have to struggle to find the creative side of me with the job. It's kinda like you have to keep a hobbie or a busineess on the side to allow for this. Hope you find something that make you happy

---

Funny you mention student activities...because I'm the Director of Student Activities at a college . You would think it's more creative, right? I had an easier time being creative when I worked in Academic Support. The environment I am in now is not very supportive; the only thing keeping me going is the fact that I can make advertisements (I LOVE that). DH thinks once I get out of this school I'll probably like student affairs more...but I knew early on in grad school that it probably wasn't the right career for me. Now I just have to figure out what to do!

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Did you do the Higher Education Administration degree for grad school? If so, I've have felt the same way at one point or another but thats because some of the curriculm content bored the crap out of me, lol. Maybe it's just where you work. I know the CUNY schools are hiring and NYU is always hiring. If you are out on the Island C.W.Post has a great community of administrators. Maybe you'd also like going into advertising.

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Posted by futureMrsJSL

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Posted by miamimerger

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Posted by futureMrsJSL

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Posted by miamimerger

This is kind of vent-ish.

I'm torn.

I currently work in student affairs, and I am miserable. I'm a very creative person and I feel like all of my ideas are being shot down due to bureaucratic reasons. I hate working 9-5. I understand that each job has things that I won't like, but I'm just miserable. I've already gone through grad school, and I feel like my grad degree was a waste.

I'd LOVE to get my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Poetry/Creative Writing, but there's not really money in poetry unless you also teach. I'm not sure I would be a great teacher, but who knows?. DH and I are moving to Philly in June, so now is a great time to start thinking about new jobs. Anyone else ever feel stuck? Any suggestions on jobs because I just don't know what would fulfill my desire to be creative!

Thanks for listening, ladies .

---

Which area of student affairs are you in? I'm in the same field to but as an Academic Advisor. If you find it hard to make the switch, I know stduent activities allows you a little more creativity (but expect night & evening shifts) or some universityies have art galliries that you could mangae if you want to fill that creative side. You could even do it with res life but I doubt you wanna go back to dorm life since your about to get married.

I understand what you mean though, because sometimes I have to struggle to find the creative side of me with the job. It's kinda like you have to keep a hobbie or a busineess on the side to allow for this. Hope you find something that make you happy

---

Funny you mention student activities...because I'm the Director of Student Activities at a college . You would think it's more creative, right? I had an easier time being creative when I worked in Academic Support. The environment I am in now is not very supportive; the only thing keeping me going is the fact that I can make advertisements (I LOVE that). DH thinks once I get out of this school I'll probably like student affairs more...but I knew early on in grad school that it probably wasn't the right career for me. Now I just have to figure out what to do!

---

Did you do the Higher Education Administration degree for grad school? If so, I've have felt the same way at one point or another but thats because some of the curriculm content bored the crap out of me, lol. Maybe it's just where you work. I know the CUNY schools are hiring and NYU is always hiring. If you are out on the Island C.W.Post has a great community of administrators. Maybe you'd also like going into advertising.

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Yeah, I went to Miami University (Ohio). LOVED grad school, I just knew it wasn't exactly a great career choice.