career change
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 3
From: PA
I can understand why you want to change careers. IT can be a tough field. Ive worked in fabrication, retail management and IT. By far IT is the most stressful. Ive been in the IT field for about 14 years. The past 3 years have been in IT management. I am definitely ready for a change. Whatever you do make sure you think it through completely and have the acceptance of your family. Ive thought about a career change numerous times but I cant afford to start from scratch in a new profession and I dont want to take the risk of starting my own business.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
I went to college at 25 and then on to law school at 32. Three years ago, I left that and my wife (who is a veterinarian) and I escaped from Chicago, moved south, and bought a veterinary practice. I will turn 50 this year and life has never been better. Go for whatever makes you happy. Life is absolutely too short.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Ever think about teaching? After 26 years in the Navy I "retired" into teaching and it's been great. Work only 10 months (summers off for riding) with a big holiday and spring breaks, all the federal holidays, snow days etc. and the money and benifits are pretty good.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
i am thinking i would like a career change, or maybe just a change
i am just wondering how many of you have done a career change or even a major change like starting your own business at a stage of life similar to mine and what made you do it and how did you decide and how it worked out.
i am just wondering how many of you have done a career change or even a major change like starting your own business at a stage of life similar to mine and what made you do it and how did you decide and how it worked out.
. Anyway, one morning, for reasons I won't go into, I gave my 2 weeks notice and chucked it all. I was so pissed that I didn't even consider the consequences. The wife was very supportive and encouraged me to do whatever I needed to to be happy. I bought a high end laptop, loaded some mapping software on it (ACAD Land Desktop & ESRI ArcView) and started letting it out that I was available. Now, my office is a lazy boy in my living room, I work maybe 30hours a week, mainly whenever I want, and I make way more $$ than as a stressed out systems admin. I love mapping and I get to do all kinds of different stuff, from Topographic surveys, Digital Terrain Models to GIS and database creation. Instead of going it on my own, I hire on as a telecomuting employee so the companies I work for take care of all the taxes like ss/medicare and the like. They get a good employee (I'm really good at what I do), don't need office space for me and I have my own computer and software, so it's a sweet deal for all. All communications are done over the phone or e-mail and I log in via VPN to plot the maps that I make and to put the drawing files on their server. The best part of it all is that my bike is always right outside the door and I can ride whenever I take a notion to do so.I wish you luck in your change. My wife said it best, "Do whatever you have to to be happy".
