[jebfour]

I’ll do my best not to make this a “whining” thread, but I know that there are a fair amount of people on this site with various different backgrounds, so I figure that it couldn’t hurt to post this….

To make a long story short, I’m more than a little burnt out on my “career” . Here it is Sunday morning and I’m already thinking “crap, I have to go to work tomorrow”. I’m thinking that “Thermoplastic Fracture Analysis and report writing” has run its course. I’m thinking about making a dramatic change (I’m not even entirely sure what direction I want to head towards).

Here is the thing: I’m 36 years old with a wife, family, mortgage……well, you get the idea. I have certain responsibilities that I can’t (and never would) let slide.

Has anyone out there ever been in a similar situation and made a similar change? What obstacles did you encounter? Was it worth it to take a “hit” monetarily to keep your sanity? Other thoughts?

 

[SkaredShtles]

I quit my job. Is that a 180 or just a 90?

 

[Da Peach]

I used to be an engineer in construction. But I've left all that for a career in extermination.

Sounds like you should wait for IAB to respond...

 

[jebfour]

I quit my job. Is that a 180 or just a 90?

Neither - that's perfection.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Neither - that's perfection.

Sooo.... whatcha waiting for?

Get the wife back to work.

 

[jebfour]

Sooo.... whatcha waiting for?

Get the wife back to work.

Come on....the wife already works.:biggrin: This is So-Cal, where the ordinary costs 298% more than it should are requires a minimum of 2 incomes (and adds to the "issues" in my original post)

 

[gsweet]

my father has been in the middle of one of those "turn arounds" the last few years. he was in a similar situation as you for a while; really disliked his work, was starting to suffer physically because of it. my advice to you is this; make a change --even a small one-- for now and see how it goes. don't risk jeopardizing your family's well being, but don't avoid it at a significant detriment to your own happiness. you need a balance and you're only going to find it if you push in the "other" direction. maybe at some point in the future (if the economy picks up again) you'll have a little more breathing room and you can really start to think about a 180. but for now, start with 5 or 10 degrees...

good luck to you

 

[SkaredShtles]

Come on....the wife already works.:biggrin: This is So-Cal, where the ordinary costs 298% more than it should are requires a minimum of 2 incomes (and adds to the "issues" in my original post)

Sounds like the solution should be obvious, then.

 

[Austin Bike]

My wife went from ~20 years in sales to being a 2nd grade teacher.

 

[Dog Welder]

Went from Computer Engineer (Office Space was my life) to Firefighter. No way can you pay me to go back to that.

 

[jimmydean]

I went from Software Engineer to Tow Truck Driver to Software Engineer. I learned it wasn't my career I hated, just my employer.

I would love to drive a tow truck for a living, but $10 an hour (vs. $40) didn't support my lifestyle. I hope to hit the lottery someday and I will buy my own tow truck.

 

[Toshi]

i went from computer programming to medicine, albeit not after long in the field.

my father went from neurobiology to medicine, starting med school at the ripe age of 36. fwiw there were several 36 year olds in my entering med school class several years ago.

 

[JRogers]

I did something of a change from working for a business consulting company to going to graduate school to study philosophy and theology, but I knew from the start that was my trajectory. I did not like my job and am much happier and poorer now. It sucks to have a job where you go to bed thinking "crap I have to go to work when I wake up" and then wake up thinking "crap, I have to suffer through another 10 hours in that hellhole." If you have to spend 40+ hours a week somewhere, shouldn't it be a place that, at the least, doesn't suck?

For what it's worth, at the divinity school I attend, there are a good amont of second career people who worked in some industry for a long time and then decided they wanted to go back to school. Often, this is with the goal of becoming a minister or working for a church or other organization in the nonprofit field (read: big pay cut unless you weren't working or you're retired to begin with). I doubt any of them would trade it. Responsibilities must be handled, but it's hard to over-value your personal happiness.

 

[MikeD]

Look and see if there are any government jobs which fit your skillset. Lots of people have re-invented their careers into the FBI or Secret Service or whatever, as investigators/agents or support personnel/specialists. (However, at 36, becoming an sworn federal law enforcement officer isn't possible with most agencies...you have to be hired by 37 for retirement reasons, so you're looking at support.)

Monetary hit at the beginning, but soon you make pretty decent money in that line of work.

Maybe look at stuff with the Department of State if you want to get the hell out of the country and live interesting places. They have both foreign service officers (diplomants) and specialists (support), but it's a demanding entry process. And if your wife doesn't want to move every 2 months to 5 years, though, and cares about visiting the family all the time, you're not gonna like it. That said, your kids will go to some good international or boarding schools (and/or study independently in a thatched hut somewhere...) and it's a cool lifestyle where the organization provides a lot of support. Or so I hear.

Maybe NASA, since you seem to be an enginerd of some sort?

There are also plenty of non-governmental organizations out there looking for people to do stuff. Do you have any management experience besides your purely techy side?

That said, man, work is still work unless you're a porn star, and even then I guess it's still work.

 

[MMike]

I'm on my 8th job since 1994. Just change employers.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Sounds like you should wait for IAB to respond...

I'd love to help but I've got nothin'. A career counselor I am not.

Best of luck, jebfour.

 

[ire]

I'm on my 8th job since 1994. Just change employers.

Maybe it's just your job that sucks, not the field. If you really want to get out of industry you could try your hand at teaching (college or high school). Some of the best professors I've had were the ones who burnt out on industry and moved to teaching....nothing beats first hand experience.

 

[jebfour]

Lots of good advice in this thread. Thank you.

 

[caboverpete]

I was burnt on being a designer in the civil engineering field, so as of 6 weeks ago I became a high school CAD teacher and its the best move ive ever made.

 

[DirtMcGirk]

I got tired of being a lawyer about a year and a half ago. Started to find the whole thing soulless, devoid of any purpose of merit. About eight months ago I farmed my clients out to other lawyers, closed out my trust accounts, delegated what there was left responsibility wise, and walked my ass on down the road.

I found a job working as a political security advisor. I can make more money if I do it right then I could working as a scum bag, and now I don't have to go to the office but once a month in DC. It offers me the ability to be flexible while the wife is in the sand box, and it secured my ride to Afghanistan in December.

I got lucky in that respect me thinks.

 

[bitingback]

i turned 40. went back to school for a massage career. currently working as a graphic designer...have done so for about 15 years. totally tired of the deadlines, late nights, weekend work, lame designs to satisfy what the boss wants, etc.

it's a slow process to change your career...so i've found. but it's also motivating cause you know you won't be doing what you're trying to get out of for very long.

i am just starting to get clients. so for now i continue to do the job i'm at now. and my plan is to be a full time therapist in the next 2 years and a freelance designer.

do it. make the change. don't have huge expectations of immediate success. and you'll do fine.

good luck

 

[gonefirefightin]

I used to cruise my bike around the elementary schools, now I am making liscence plates in folsom prison

 

[BikeGeek]

I used to be a firm believer in a job simply being a means to an end. I used to tell myself that I would do whatever I had to do to have the free time and money to do the things I really enjoyed. I've since realized that it is possible to really enjoy what you do to earn that free time and money. I spent 9 years as a cost analyst for the Missile Defense Agency in DC. I'm now a brewer at the Tröegs Brewing Company in Harrisburg, PA.

I'd take a long look at the degree you hold. What first attracted you to that particular field? Is it what you're now doing? Are there other aspects of the field that still hold your interest? Also keep in mind that a lot of industries will hire you based on the fact that you have a degree, not that you have a particular degree. They see a degree as proof that you're capable of learning and willing to work hard.

 

[pigboy]

i've done this. though never while having a wife, family, mortgage, etc

the ten billion dollar question you have to ask yourself is:
what is crushing my spirit and desire to work?

for me it was the fact that I was in it for the money and that the task was a boring one (boring to me, someone else might have found it to be fun). the coworkers were cool and fun, but ultimately that wasn't enough for me.

so i guess I'd advise you to first figure out what is driving you bonkers
then figure out how to alleviate the things that are stressing you out, boring you, or whatever it is that is making you talk all crazy when you should be out riding.

 

[jebfour]

WOW. This thread is back from the dead!

I have been doing a TON of thinking since I originally posted this thread. I believe that I know the direction that I would like to go - it just may take a little time to get there.

Thanks to those with great advice! You've been + reped (unless I needed to spread feedback around )

 

[Sandwich]

what did you decide, dr. brotherman?

 

[MMike]

WOW. This thread is back from the dead!

I have been doing a TON of thinking since I originally posted this thread. I believe that I know that I know the direction that I would like to go - it just make a little time to get there.

Thanks to those with great advice! You've been + reped (unless I needed to spread feedback around )

Circus or carnival?

 

[pigboy]

Circus or carnival?

let's not forget male stripper.

 

[jebfour]

Circus or carnival?

The one that you do for a living. You are my hero after all....

 

[MMike]

The one that you do for a living. You are my hero after all....

I'm a telekinetic mover. I can empty your house and have your stuff in your new place in less than 40 seconds.

 

[jebfour]

I'm a telekinetic mover. I can empty your house and have your stuff in your new place in less than 40 seconds.

There's no future in it...

 

[Cable43]

A while back I was was living in a posh loft in Philly. Had a Amazing Job with full benefits including legal benefits and tuition reimbursements. I had 3 people working under me and only had to do about 4hrs of work to maintain out "numbers". I had an air travel allowance, and free rental cars.

I wasn't happy. So I went crazy on day, left work, went home and I packed up my 20" and went to Chenga World for a few days. When I got back my boss (who was located in FL) waiting for me in my office. I was tipped off by a strange car in front of my office. When I walked in to the office I just told him I quit. I didn't even stay for him to tell me that I wasn't fired. It didn't matter. I was 20yrs old making 50K on a high school education- but I wasn't happy. All I wanted to do is make movies and ride my bikes. Everyone said that I was crazy for leaving and it's so hard to find a decent job making even half that. My family thought that I was on drugs and tried to have an "intervention" for a completely clean and sober individuals. It was like something from the Twilight Zone.

So I left the loft, moved in with 3 other fiends, got a job in a local shop and waiting tables. We had about 20 bike in the house at all time. We parted, made music, fixed bikes, fcuked with the neighbors and barely made the rent. They were some of the best times of my life. I also me my a girl while working at the restaurant. She was in grad school I was a poor drifter.
>>> fast froward 7yrs
We just moved into our first house and had one of these not too ago:

My thought is that you can have it all. I now work for a public school system. I get to work with kids and teachers (two of the most important people in all of our lives) and I had someone thank me the other day for helping to support education. I still ride my 20", MTB, and Road Bike also I've written/produced a few short films and am working on writing a screenplay. It took a drastic change and a few years but it can say that I'm happy. 180s are rarely about the job its about how you feel that turns the other direction.


Think about the things that you want out of life. Focus, Focus, Focus and the will come. Forget about money. Finding money is easy. I just fount a $5 in my jacket.
Finding happiness that's the part to put the effort into

Seacrest out!

 

[DirtyMike]

Didnt read every post. I will be doing a 180 after we get our houise. Will be taking a teaching postition