Changed careers/jobs lately?

[Kate]

Has anyone taken a new job or switched careers lately? What was your greatest fear? How did you overcome it?

I am in the process of switching careers from the marketing/advertising field to the health care field. While I am excited, I am quite nervous about the change. Everyone that I have spoken with that works in the health care field is extremely nice and pleasant.

Any tips for those that are looking to switch jobs/careers or are in the process?

[YellowRoseTex]

Sorry, I can't help with this one. I've been in the same field for 24 years now. Yikes! I think I'm getting old. ;) I did want to wish you good luck in your new career. I just know you will do great! :D

[Kathy]

Kim, you should share about your educational question here in this forum....advancing your job with your degree!

[mezzo soprano]

I have been in my profession since 1977. However, I did take a few years "off" in the 90's when I got divorced and decided to try a new town. It was the first time I ever worked for anyone but my own family.

What a great experience it was! I got to work for everything from a one-person office to multi-national corporations (because I spent some time temping) and I also had two "real jobs". I learned to appreciate what I had at home, I'll tell you that.

I "returned" to my old profession in 1999, and haven't really looked back.

[Kate]

It's always good to see the 'other side of the fence.' Sometimes it's greener, sometimes it's not.

[DayDreamer]

I agree. Sometimes the grass is greener and sometimes, it's not. I have always worked in banking and love it!

Last year, I was offered an awesome job in Property Management and having real estate and mortgage finance degrees, I thought, what a piece of cake. It was a piece of cake, but so incredibly boring! It seemed like the same day over and over again. Not a lot of variety. It was a good job, but I didn't really enjoy it and realized it just wasn't for me.

Deb

[Kate]

I start my new job, so I'll get to see if the grass is greener or not. I hope to atleast enjoy the atmosphere, regardless if I like the work I do. I guess we'll see! :D

[Canadian Girl]

I am fortunate enough to be part of a huge community where we are encouraged to move around the various departments.

2 1/2 years ago, I left a job I absolutely adored with a Dream Team to join a brand new department and take on a more challenging position. I was so afraid of not fitting in with a team. Turns out I left one great team to find another :)

I think that the worst fear was the fear of change!!!

[YellowRoseTex]

Good luck with the change Kate! I just know you'll do great! :cheerlead I'm looking forward to hearing all about it. :D

[DesertRose]

I have been in the same location for just under eight years and I have had it. I need a change. So, I requested to step down (as manager) and move to a different location. It was a very difficult decision that I had to think about and pray about for a long time. But, it will be what is best for me and my mental heatlh. My first day at the new store is this weekend. I am looking forward to it but am also nervous! It has been eight years, after all. And, no matter how happy and relieved I am to no longer be manager, it will be hard to just instantly go back to being NOT manager. But, my goal is to go to work, do my job as best I can, be a great staffer, then GO HOME. That means go home withOUT taking work with me in my head!! I can't wait!!!!! :D

[Luvmabug]

DesertRose, The good thing is, you will KNOW how to be a great *staffer*. ;) Best wishes! :banana:

[Mysty]

I just changed careers. I went from retail sales to Direct Sales as a consultant. I am excited and scared but I really need a change so bad! I finally just did it! :confused:

I am working two mornings a week at a Daycare also.

I think what is scaring me so much about the Direct Sales is that it is commission only, so until I get going and get clients it might be rough. Thank goodness my Hubby is supportive and his only comment was ." You have to be happy and we will do ok." If our finances were good I wouldn''t be concerned. Cross your fingers everyone!! :eek:

[chickadee]

I have worked for various non profits most of my 20 years of working life. Many of them were interesting and good jobs, but I always moved on after about 7 years. But I think I have at last found my perfect job. I am an excutive director for an arts council. I head a small agency that grants money to artists and arts organizations and provides services for them. It has a great deal of variety, enough traveling to be interesting, slow paced and my offices are in a historic old building that is beautiful. All of my other jobs helped to prepare me for this one. it's great and i hope to retire from it when I am a little old lady. :)

[Kate]

It's great to see others switch jobs into finding something that makes you happy!
I started my new job this past Monday and it's going to be an adjustment. I'm having a rough time with the co-worker I work directly with and learning how to set 'boundaries' with her. I know this is only a temp situation for me until I finish school, but I hope it goes by fast. ;)

[RealtorLady]

hi ladies! I just passed my real estate exam and waiting for my license. At 50 years old I'm still looking for my perfect job! I'm taking some training classes at my office, but I'm so overwhelmed with everything, I'm really nervous, everyone seems so confident, agressive and sure of themselves. I hope I don't look like a fool. I so want this to work out for me! I want to contribute to my office and not just taking up space. I chose real estate because it seemed flexible and thought it would open some doors for me.

[Mysty]

CONGRATS RealtorLady !! That is amazing news!! Best wishes to you!!

[Mori]

I am also currently thinking of switching careers lately. I've been working as an Early Childhood Educator for the past few years, but I want a change & I''m thinking of going into Aesthetics!

[boxermama]

I made a big career change a little over a year ago. I had managed dental offices for 9 years, and switched to women's retail-of all things. Yes I have to work weekends now, but I chose a great company who has given me wonderful opportunites and helped me start a retirement fund! ( bounce out of bed every day-it is such a great feeling!

[Beachgirl]

I am at the point that I believe I have reached my Midlife Awareness (no midlife crises here). I am aware of what's not working but...

I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up.

I am in a place where I can make a career change, start my own business, or ???

I really just want to be a bum for a while, travel for pleasure, I'd love to make a living doing that, I have a huge wanderlust going since I traveled Europe in my 20's. The South Pacific, Central America and the Caribbean in my 30's, and the US in my 40's.

Any ideas about how I could make a living doing this?

[madbo]

Some great books on the subject of career changes are:
"What Should I Do With My Life" by Po Bronson and "Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction" by Laura Berman Fortgang.

I'm a bit of a book junkie so I'm always quoting books or listing off books. It's the one thing I know about hehehe.

[billsmrs]

I was a pediatric nurse for 10 years. Got burned out real bad there. Long hours and the pay wasn't great. Stress was VERY high and it was also causing physical problems.....migraines for one. :dizzy2:

Anyway, my very supportive husband asked me what I wanted to do that would make me happy and I mentioned owning my own store and after 6 months of planning I quit my job and opened my store. It was very scary and sometimes I still get scared when approached with new opportunities for the store, etc. but my best friend...my husband is there supporting me and telling me I can do it! :cheering:

I love it! It is hard work and I spend alot of hours at the store but there is nothing like being your own boss. Sure, I have days I want to scream (and do but just not around the employees and customers :marbles: )

I strongly believe if you have a good support system that you can do anything!

[uptown]

I have just changed from a 10 month employee to a 12 month employee at my job. I am also starting my classes to get my payroll cert. That alone takes 2 years. I have always worked as 10 months and so I have always been off during the summer. (i work in education) I have a new boss that has come in and changed everything that we do. I had to go to 12 months or find a new job. I need to work and so what could I do. My 2 kids are not happy! I will only get 2 weeks vacation now. I know how it is with lots of changes. I hope that I will be glad for what I have done later. You can't worry about the changes just roll with the punches and if you are not happy, move on. I wish you luck in your challenge! :)

[quilter]

As of December I made a HUGE career change. Stepped out of management after 20 years and totally changed my direction. My loving husband supported me changing from the mortgage business to Long Arm Quilting. Left 6 digit job to be self employed. Scary but I am soooo excited. Internet site will soon be up, have my big investment of Gammill machine for over a year now and love what I am doing.
Anyone pieced quilts that need quilting but just never have time? That would be what I do! I have been trained by the best and told I am very talented. Have been doing on the side for a year now. Will keep you updated.
(Oh I still do mortgages on the side now cause my clients cried and said no one was as good I was! Nice to be needed.)

[triplej2676]

i changed gears completely from production in a manufacturing setting to marketing in an office setting. what a change! it has been such a positive experience, but sometimes i DO look back and wonder if i made the right choice. does any one else maybe regret their decision to change gears?