Career Change

In these bad economic times when people are losing thier job (myself included) do you think about changing careers or have you done it? I lost my job a couple of weeks ago and am looking for a new job doing the same thing I have been doing for years , secreterial work. I really don't want to do this for the rest of my life but it pays the bills. When I get a job I want to go to school for something different. So how many of you have changed careers, what did you do then and what do you do now and are you happier?

i think about it all the time, Ive been on the phones as a collection agent my whole life. The bonuses can be great but im getting very sick of working on the phones already.

i was actually thinking about going to school online for a medical coding and billing specialist, i heard they are in high demand and make decent money, ive also thought about going for surgical tech, of vet tech, but from what i here vet techs dont even make that much. I found a school online, i think it was penn foster that for 600 bucks you can get certified in medical billing and coding, when i get the extra money i might just do that for myself.

heres to hoping the new position i just took in my company (skip tracing) ill make lots of money in bonuses.

If you're getting unemployment, check with your state and county for retraining programs that they offer. It's not ideal since you're still not making the same amount of money, but at least you're bringing in something while training for another profession.

I have a plaque up on the wall that says, "Stop and think! Is this career change necessary?"

So, yeah, been there, done that, have the scars to show for it.

Well I did this almost 4 years ago when my office closed. Starting a new business is quite different and the money is alot less as its seasonal but at times a challenge too.
I also picked up a part time job last september when the economy started going south so I would't have the cash draws from my business account.

Speak with a career counselor if you can so you can find out what new carerr path works best for you and has the best chances to find a job.

Well, I also have been there, done that, and it was the best thing I have ever done... It depends on each one's individual situation, and if they love what they do... I am not saying if they love the company they work for or their bosses, but what actually they do. In my life, I can only be happy if I love what I do... So... I am all for doing what you love - and if that involves changing careers... well... It it not easy though, and many things need to be considered, including starting again from the bottom.

I went to school to become a Surgical Technologist, and graduated in 1985. I've worked in the O.R. ever since. I did in-house training as a Surgical Assistant, and took the CST/CFA certifying exam in the early '90's. At the same time, I decided to go back to school and get my BSN. I never wanted to leave the O.R., but I wanted more autonomy in my job, a better chance for career advancement, a higher wage, and also the possibility of being able to change careers, while still remaining in the health care industry. It was the best decision I've ever made. I still work as an RN Surgical First Assistant (I LOVE my job!), but I make more money, and I have the ability to work pretty much anywhere , should I ever decide that I'd like to do something besides surgery. As a BSN, I was able to apply for, and get a management position that I wasn't eligible for as a CST. In addition to my RNFA position, I am also the General/Plastic Surgery Surgical Services Coordinator.

Getting more education is never a mistake. If going back to school to make a career change is do-able...go for it! It's an investment in yourself that you really will never regret!

Honestly, my 2 cents.

Very few jobs in this ecomony are what I would consider stable (as in reliable). Here (my specific part of Canada), I'd say jobs in the food industry are stable as people will always have to buy food.... so for example, the job that I did have, was a very stable job.. No lay offs, minimum 40 hr week, more during easter and xmas, and unionized... so honestly once past probation, unless you did something really stupid, you wouldn't lose your job. (my specific job that is... I was a cleaner of egg grading equipment, it was heavy manual labour, and it is a mandatory job...the CFIA inspects the equipment, so no matter what, I would have had a job).

No, it was not my dream job, and honestly, at my age ( 32 ) I will never have my dream job. I am ok with that. I just want a job LOL.... in this economy, any job is better than no job. (within reason of course)

Prior to being pulled out of school, I was in college taking Web Design and Development. Do I think I'd get a job in it? Ummmm, no. Maybe, on the databasing end of it or game programming.... I love web design, love graphical work, and actually came to enjoy some programming. But the market is saturated with people who have more than my skills/schooling.

I would love to be a professional student So many different things interest me, I would love to learn about as much as I could.

My ultimate career choice: social worker or psychiatrist. That is in a dream world though. I don't have the money or the ability to spend 3+yrs going to college/univeristy.

What makes me happy? Having a job that allows me to feed my family, and live comfortably...you know, be able to go out once a month without worrying about buying groceries. I really don't mind what that job is, I just want to support my family.

Now, I don't know what WSIB is going to do with me once I'm healed, because I won't be able to go back to college for the same course..... so they will have a couple choices.... 1 is not nice, and 2 would be sending me back for more schooling in a different field. Which of course I'm hoping they pick more schooling, in which case I will pick a course that there actually are jobs available.

I haven't switched careers but I've switched majors, mostly to make things easier for myself. I wasn't good at science and had a science major so that was kinda stupid. I've realized that no matter what I do, it's work it's never going to be exactly fun. Any job is rewarding as long as you get a paycheck and you don't get a hard time from your boss IMO. I also just want a job, I want to actually earn money not have to live as a dependent (you can see how tired I am of being a college student). I have hobbies and they require work and skills, but I'm sure if I worked for a company doing something like make up artist I would not enjoy it, it's only enjoyable if it's on my own terms. So yea to me, if I'm working for a company or even owning a business which doesn't require pleasing a boss but pleasing customers, not too different IMO, I wouldn't be enjoying what I'm doing even if it's something I like I would only be receiving some satisfaction because I get paid for it. I just want a job. Even my degree I'm working on is more like a hobby not something I'd be working with if I worked for a company.

Originally Posted by mrblanche

I have a plaque up on the wall that says, "Stop and think! Is this career change necessary?"

So, yeah, been there, done that, have the scars to show for it.

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Grass is always greener type thing?

I can't wait to explore what I really want to do after we have kids.

I had pondered looking at different options. I have a BA in English, which is one of those 'you can do anything, but yet nothing specific' degrees unless you go for a teaching certificate, or further degrees right away. WHich I didn't. I believe unless you're passionate about teaching kids, a certificate (extra year in school) is a waste of time. I'd rather teach college. Well, I went to a career counselor for a while and she nudged me in the direction of design, specificially web and graphic design. But i know one out of work GD'er and one whose hours are dwindling, so why? I started taking art classes to work toward Architectural Design, but I've realized one thing: My passion, although i love design, is not there. It's with writing and teaching writing. So, this fall, I'll be starting a prep year for going to Grad School. I've been torn between design and writing the last few months... I enjoy art and design, but I LOVE writing and teaching it. I know where my heart belongs...

Look at what you really love to do. Is it something realistically attainable? Rock Star probably not so much, but do a little soul searching, and talk to a job counselor... if you want to see what a particular career is like, find someone local and ask if you can shadow them for a day... that will give you an idea if it's something you'd really love. You may, for example, want to work with animals, so you shadow a vet or vet tech for a day... but maybe you see that some aspect of it isn't what you'd though it to be... so there are other options... you just have to explore those options...

Good luck...
Amanda

I don't think going back to school is ever a bad thing, even if you don't end up changing careers, education is an investment in yourself.

As for my opinion... gosh, I have had so much trouble with choosing a career or finishing school or ANYTHING that I am not the one to ask. Really, just good luck for everyone else.

Originally Posted by valanhb

If you're getting unemployment, check with your state and county for retraining programs that they offer. It's not ideal since you're still not making the same amount of money, but at least you're bringing in something while training for another profession.

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Hi there - I was seriously thinking about that, as I dream in being a Paramedic... I am also unemployed and I tell you - ROUGH out there to get a job! How does that work? Do you get the same $$ as unemployment, plus help with tuition? I saw that EMS/Paramedics is actually approved by the Texas workforce, but I couldn't get anymore info... That would be AWESOME! I know it would pay WAY less than what I was doing before (about 1/2), but I think it would be probably one of the most rewarding carriers out there... Tips? Thanks!

Originally Posted by carolinalima

Hi there - I was seriously thinking about that, as I dream in being a Paramedic... I am also unemployed and I tell you - ROUGH out there to get a job! How does that work? Do you get the same $$ as unemployment, plus help with tuition? I saw that EMS/Paramedics is actually approved by the Texas workforce, but I couldn't get anymore info... That would be AWESOME! I know it would pay WAY less than what I was doing before (about 1/2), but I think it would be probably one of the most rewarding carriers out there... Tips? Thanks!

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I do not know how it works in the US....but here, if you are on EI (unemployment) you can be approved to go back to school and they pay the schooling (plus your EI benefits). I've known people on EI, who went back to school for PSW (personal support worker) fully paid for by EI.

You would have to called the EI office and ask if you qualify for retraining.

I did a career change almost a year ago now. I spent 17 years working as an office manager overseeing the running of two branches of the company I worked for. It was a very fast-paced time consuming job. I loved it but towards the end it just got to the point where I felt all I ever did was work.

I was fortunate because I got to take a few months off before I went back to work so I had some time to decide what I wanted from my job.

I now work 3-4 days a week in a Antique store and it is a super job. It is so completely different. Much slower paced, and the work itself is interesting as I get to do some research on the items.

I am happy with my decision and wouldn't hesitate to make it again.

I'm not even sure that I want to go there, lol! In 2006, I ended 20 odd years in shoe repair and sales. We started a catering company in 2005 (yeah, they overlapped). In January of this year, I've started learning floral design. Those are the things I've changed.

Mind you.....I could teach piano, and have had more than one person ask.....but I don't have the temperment for it (*read* no patience)
I could do anything in the sewing field
I could go back to school for three semesters and get my accounting degree (no, no, no, no, no! If I went back to school, would have to do with psychology )

Frankly, all I ever wanted to do was be a professional southern gospel pianist/singer....but that didn't happen, so I'm stuck doing whatever comes along, lol!