Changing careers

Restless Soul

Just curious here, has anyone had a career in one field and then changed to something else? How did you go about it? Was it related in some way to your previous field or completely different? Did you have to start at the bottom again or just cross over at the same sort of level you were in previously?

I was in journalism and am trying to change over into PR (more money lol) but am finding it extremely hard. It's like junior PR jobs are, well too junior for me (according to employers who've interviewed me) yet I haven't got enough experience to get into a mid-level job role. It's like they want a year or two experience which I haven't got, even though I have lots of other related experience and transferable skills, plus a teeny bit of unpaid work experience and an evening course diploma in PR, yet I still can't seem to make the changeover.

What are your experiences in changing careers? Do you find employers seem to prefer recent graduates with no work experience over people who've got lots of work experience but in a related field? Do you think there is not enough recognition of employees who want to change careers and what they can offer employers? What did you do to overcome this? Or is this just a case of keeping on plodding along hoping something will turn up eventually? (sigh).

Sorry for griping but I am interested in your experiences if poss!

Heineken Helen

I'd be quite interested in hearing about some experiences too.

sponger

From what I've noticed, people are generally afraid of new employees coming in with experience from other jobs because it makes them feel threatened when a new person shows them something they didn't know or has a new insight about a part of the job that the "experienced" employees like to believe they already know everything about.

People love to haze new employees. That's just how society is. It reinforces our ideal self-image when we compare ourselves to something that is "lesser."

When a new employee isn't totally incompetant or lacking in everything necessary for the job, it makes it harder to haze that employee, and, again, this is where "experienced" employees start to feel threatened.

I have some great stories, but I'll spare everyone the details because honestly it will after a certain point sound almost egotistical.

But, in a nutshell, I can give you numerous examples where I've come along as a new person and politely proposed changes, brought attention to things that have been done incorrectly for years, and straight out fixed processes that were clearly useless if not totally inefficient -and on those occasions I was treated in an almost aggressively disapproving manner.

There is nothing that people like more than to say to the new guy, "Let me show you how it's done."

A friend of mine back in my high school days said something to me over a decade ago that has stuck out in my mind because I think it rings true on a variety of different levels.

He said, "The best way to get free drugs is to tell people you've never done them before."

It's the same reason why some guys like to bang virgins. They don't like the idea of being compared to other lays. They think, "She's a virgin. She'll think I'm the greatest lay in the world."

Same goes for the work industry.

Peter Griffin once said, "Me big American man."

An accounting professor I had in college did free-lance business consulting for a number of years.

According to him, "Most clients don't want to hear your advice even when they're paying you top dollar to provide it. What they want to hear is praise for the way they've been doing things all along."

Champagne Breakfast

I'd be interested to hear what people have to say.
I'm currently in sales/management with a technology company. Lonnng story how I ended up there being that I am really not interested in either. It was a money/stepping stone thing but now I too feel trapped and want to get out.

GraySaturday

I could share my mom's experience for you:

My mother has a degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work. She was a therapist for years. She worked in adoption centers, and also a mental health facility. She is really smart, and worked extremely hard in school. She graduated with a 3.95 gpa for her masters. But, she was never fully satisfied with how she felt about work. It was very taxing on her, and the pay was really low. She was generally unhappy. She began to take an interest in computer programming. She took one class at a local community college to learn a programming language, and she applied for a job as a computer programmer. She went on the interview and convinced them that she has a passion for it, and that she was capable of learning since she had a degree and that she was ready to commit herself to a total career change. She landed that job, and she worked really hard at programming. The company was small, and eventually they started to fold on themselves, but by then she had a year of experience, so she applied for a position at LSAC (The Law School Admissions Council) Which is a big place, since they deal with all the Law Schools, and she was able to secure a position with them. She's now been there for 9 years, and is a Senior Level programmer. She makes a ton of money, and she gets 7 weeks a year vacation, every other friday off as flex time, and many other perks.

I think its hard in this economy to land a job, let alone one you're not totally qualified for. But, I do think if you try to position yourself correctly, and you find your strengths that match with this job, you do have a chance to break into a new field. My mom is pretty inspirational when it comes to that.

Sonja_S

I had been doing marketing and PR for over 10 years when I changed to sales earlier this year. I had actually applied for my new job back in October, but back then they wanted a man for the job (Sales Director for gyms). That didn't turn out well *understatement alert *, so they called me a few months later and asked if I was still interested.

It's not easy switching your brain from the 'spending money' mode of marketing to the 'getting money in' mode that's required in sales and I am in the middle of completely restructuring my team (anyone interested in a job? ), but it's a challenge and I just love those. Plus, I'm also doing marketing and PR if I can squeeze it in and because I would be bored in my free time otherwise I am also proof-reading an art magazine

It wasn't that big a change because I went from heading a marketing & PR department to heading a sales department and doing the marketing stuff myself, so the level stayed the same, but sales is definitely different and the fact that I now work until 10pm 3 times a week because someone from management has to be available at all times in case we're needed took some getting used to.

I was looking for a job in sales deliberately though, because marketing jobs have been practically vanishing here in Austria due to the big companies thinking the German branches can handle Austria on the side - which is a big mistake language-wise alone.

They were not sure about me at first because I used to work in the music industry and had no experience in fitness, but now they're happy about the outside view I brought in regarding some things that were not working for years and they couldn't think of a reason why and I have learned a lot from them during the last months in return. That's something you can use in job interviews Restless Soul; think about stuff you as an 'outsider' could think of doing for the company you want to work for. I went into the interview with a complete concept of sales and marketing projects I could imagine for my future employers. Just outlines though so they wouldn't be able to properly use it if they chose someone else for the job of course

libragirl

I'm thinking of changing careers. I'm in a deadend job. Im never going to go anywhere where I am. But I just hate what I do...I get no joy out of it. I'm thinking of going back to school and maybe go into teaching. I'm moving soon so maybe I'll check out the schools there...I dunno...okay i know no one gives a shit about this but thought I'd share.

Sonja_S

libragirl wrote:

I'm thinking of changing careers. I'm in a deadend job. Im never going to go anywhere where I am. But I just hate what I do...I get no joy out of it. I'm thinking of going back to school and maybe go into teaching. I'm moving soon so maybe I'll check out the schools there...I dunno...okay i know no one gives a shit about this but thought I'd share.

What is it you are currently doing? Does the job just suck where you work right now or did you lose interest in the entire thing?

Cosmo

I morphed careers... started off as a pen and ink illustrator, ended up an Oracle DBA.
Pen and Ink...> computer graphics illustrator...> application administrator...> UNIX Systems Administrator...> Informix Database Administrator...> Oracle Database Administrator.

comebackwoman

GraySaturday wrote:

I could share my mom's experience for you:

My mother has a degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work. She was a therapist for years. She worked in adoption centers, and also a mental health facility. She is really smart, and worked extremely hard in school. She graduated with a 3.95 gpa for her masters. But, she was never fully satisfied with how she felt about work. It was very taxing on her, and the pay was really low. She was generally unhappy. She began to take an interest in computer programming. She took one class at a local community college to learn a programming language, and she applied for a job as a computer programmer. She went on the interview and convinced them that she has a passion for it, and that she was capable of learning since she had a degree and that she was ready to commit herself to a total career change. She landed that job, and she worked really hard at programming. The company was small, and eventually they started to fold on themselves, but by then she had a year of experience, so she applied for a position at LSAC (The Law School Admissions Council) Which is a big place, since they deal with all the Law Schools, and she was able to secure a position with them. She's now been there for 9 years, and is a Senior Level programmer. She makes a ton of money, and she gets 7 weeks a year vacation, every other friday off as flex time, and many other perks.

I think its hard in this economy to land a job, let alone one you're not totally qualified for. But, I do think if you try to position yourself correctly, and you find your strengths that match with this job, you do have a chance to break into a new field. My mom is pretty inspirational when it comes to that.

One of my friends made an opposite kind of switch. She graduated with a masters in chemistry and worked for Dupont for 15 years...made great money with really good benefits and made really wise investments with her money. She didn't like the corporate culture and didn't feel fulfilled by the work, so she went back for her masters in social work and is now director of a community mental health agency. Her analytical side comes through in her work...and I think it really benefits her. She took a HUGE cut in pay...but she had been really smart about saving and investing, so she was able to do that without it hurting her too much. I think changing careers absolutely can be done...and it's worth it if it leaves you feeling fulfilled.

libragirl

Sonja_S wrote:

What is it you are currently doing? Does the job just suck where you work right now or did you lose interest in the entire thing?

Im an admin assistant. But yeah it's kind of a combination of both. Oh well I just need to stop procrastinating and change things.

EvilMerlin

libragirl wrote:

I'm thinking of changing careers. I'm in a deadend job. Im never going to go anywhere where I am. But I just hate what I do...I get no joy out of it. I'm thinking of going back to school and maybe go into teaching. I'm moving soon so maybe I'll check out the schools there...I dunno...okay i know no one gives a shit about this but thought I'd share.

That's where I'm at right now. Except I don't have a dead end job, and I do have a place to go here. However, when I come home after each day, I just feel that I can do...better. It's not that I'm doing nothing here, it's just that I don't feel fulfilled at all, and it's just like I'm kinda hanging around 40 hours a week to be okay in life.

I never felt as fulfilled as I did when I was going to school for bio-psych. So, this fall, I'm going to enroll in stats & research class again at a JC and get a refresher and then start taking 2 classes a semester at nights again until I finish. I'd ultimately like to teach in a JC or find a way into research, but we'll see how that goes. I could always try and get a high school teaching job as I continue on in a few years.

Everyone will think I'm crazy to let this go and I'll take a lot of crap, but I don't care because it's not what I want for the rest of my life. It's like they were proud of knowing me for getting the job, not happy because I'm happy.

libragirl

EvilMerlin wrote:

It's not that I'm doing nothing here, it's just that I don't feel fulfilled at all, and it's just like I'm kinda hanging around 40 hours a week to be okay in life.
.

That's the exactly how I feel. I think you need to be happy. No job is perfect but if you are constantly miserable and just on autopilot then it is time for a change imo. Im kicking myself in the ass cuz I had a good opening to leave my job last Fall and I was too chicken to take it because of my life circumstances at the time. But now that changed and Im still here...

But you should go for it and do what you want to be happy. Good Luck.

justam

Heineken Helen wrote:

I'd be quite interested in hearing about some experiences too.

Me too.

meistereder

I am always looking for something new. I am an attorney, 34 years old, making twice as much money as my father ever did. But it sucks ass. Not worth the stress.

The good thing is I can do a lot with a law degree, and I am looking at taking a pay hit, but I want to be doing something I have some passion for.

Heineken Helen

EvilMerlin wrote:

That's where I'm at right now. Except I don't have a dead end job, and I do have a place to go here. However, when I come home after each day, I just feel that I can do...better. It's not that I'm doing nothing here, it's just that I don't feel fulfilled at all, and it's just like I'm kinda hanging around 40 hours a week to be okay in life.

I never felt as fulfilled as I did when I was going to school for bio-psych. So, this fall, I'm going to enroll in stats & research class again at a JC and get a refresher and then start taking 2 classes a semester at nights again until I finish. I'd ultimately like to teach in a JC or find a way into research, but we'll see how that goes. I could always try and get a high school teaching job as I continue on in a few years.

Everyone will think I'm crazy to let this go and I'll take a lot of crap, but I don't care because it's not what I want for the rest of my life. It's like they were proud of knowing me for getting the job, not happy because I'm happy.

Fuck everybody! There are some choices I've made where other people have told me I'm crazy... there are a couple of changes I'll be making soon where everybody has ALREADY told me I'm crazy... but there's much more to life than money and security. Everything these people say makes complete sense of course if I had a mortgage or a family to worry about... but when I hear it all I hear is 'blah blah blah'. You have to do what makes you happy cos nobody else will do it for you

Heineken Helen

meistereder wrote:

I am always looking for something new. I am an attorney, 34 years old, making twice as much money as my father ever did. But it sucks ass. Not worth the stress.

The good thing is I can do a lot with a law degree, and I am looking at taking a pay hit, but I want to be doing something I have some passion for.

It's rarely about the money. There's a lot to be said for being in a fulfilling job where you can see a direct result of your hard work.

Good luck though to all of you planning on making the change

justam

Yeah, well, I've had a job I always wanted for years and years. I'm ready to make a bit of money.

decides2dream

i have.


i've also had threads on this topic a couple times over for at least 2 years when i was looking for change as well.


i am a certified art teacher, BFA and MA...fine arts education and photography. i now have a career in an entirely unrelated field, accounting. i NEVEr would've looked here, never would've even thought of it. however, for at least 2 years i was looking for change, tried in more related fields, etc....and nada. i let everyone i know know that i was looking. this job fell into my lap.....a guy my husband occasionally worked with happened to mention how his sister worked at this firm, yada, yada....i got an interview and here i am.


is it my dream job? no. however, i had my dream job...and yea....i wanted more $$$ and more benefits/security, etc. i am very happy i made the chance.


so.....look in fields that interest you, absolutely get ready for LOTs of rejection, but be open to it....and definitely let everyone you know know you're looking, and not just within your current field!

good luck!

JamilyMan

I am in that transitioning phase myself... sort of.

I am a Therapist/EAP Counselor/Life Coach currently working a full time job, a part time job (fee for service) and doing a little Life Coaching business on the side. Even with all of that, my income is not what it should (needs to) be, despite living in a very humble home, driving an economy car that I bought 8 years ago, etc. With a family, and a wife who works very part time to be with the kids, I have decided that it is time to make a drastic change in a non-drastic manner. What that means is I am planning on transitioning into a new business/career part time, which will ultimately replace my more time consuming, less financially rewarding part time gig as an outpatient, fee for service therapist. I have taken Real Estate courses and will sit for the sales licensure exam very soon. I will then work my full time job for my base pay and benefits, and will do the real estate thing in the evenings and weekends, slowly transitioning out of that FFS gig. My hope is that if things go as well as they can, I will be able to do Real Estate full time, but that will take time.
I just figure that the people skills I have from my true career will lend themselves nicely to real estate!

Wish me luck - and if you need a real estate agent in the phila area, drop me a line. I would love to help people here find their perfect home!

PJPixie

I will enroll in Nursing School at some point in my life. It's something I know I was born to do.

I'm busy being a single mom right now, working full time at a job that pays the bills but not much else. Someday I will be a nurse

dawng

I used to work in the restraunt industry (waitressing, then bartending) and when I had kids, the work was no longer suitable. During a conversation with my sister, she encouraged me to go into computer support (she was managing a support team at IBM at the time and thought I'd do a good job).

So, I went back to school and got a 2 year degree in computers with certificates in hardware, database, and website design which took about 3 years total. I have now worked in the computer industry for about 8 years.

I did have to get in at the entry level - I took a pay cut initially (you can make a lot bartending!) but it was worth it. Now I make more than before, but it took several years to work back up. For me, it was completely worth it.

Good luck with whatever you decide