Career Move - anyone done it?

triggerthat

triggerthat

triggerthat

Soldato
Joined
26 Aug 2005
Posts
6,901
Location
London
I'm an introvert and I work in digital marketing (have been for 3 years). It pays verywell but I am not happy and haven't been for a while. I don't enjoy going to work and I don't see myself doing it long term. I think it's time for a change but with that comes study and starting from the bottom. Anyone gone through a similar experience?
 
What are you looking at doing?

I say go for whatever makes you happy, money isn't everything, you won't be thinking on your deathbed "I wish I had made more money" after all, you'll be wishing you'd squeezed more enjoyment out of this god forsaken plain of existence.
 
Have you tried doing volunteering work?

It's a good place to start initially as you keep your income from your job whilst still able to "flirt" with different areas before finding the right area you have a passion for?

Volunteering isn't just for Charity shops, there are local businesses and groups that would happily take someone in, especially someone with other area of experience to help - NB: I say local, it can be any independent stores/business. Be it training newbies, getting them going and all or just generally learning something they've got in mind and volunteering a day or two a week to help in that role. You never know, you might still be able to use your current skills (no need for re-education) and side step into a different role which you enjoy.
 
I went from working as a sound engineer at the BBC (my degree was in Sound Technology and Acoustics), to working in health and safety. I loved the job at the BBC but my temp contract ended and it was nigh on impossible to get back in to the industry because of lack of full time vacancies.

I did a stint with an AV/sound design company, installing systems in to all the major clubs and stadiums around the UK but there was a lot of travelling and the wages were poor given the size of the company (£18,000), so I left.

Did a few health and safety, and auditor qualifications and 7 years later I'm working for the NHS as an almost chartered health and safety practitioner. Completely different role, but I enjoy the work. This morning I shall be auditing the catering department (trying to blag a free cooked breakfast) and then this afternoon I have a meeting with an orthopaedic surgeon and the directorate manager, and then I have to deliver training.

Each day is completely different, which was a big factor in what I like. Compared to my previous roles I also have a lot of freedom and benefits, but I'd be willing to overlook the salary, for the job security and happiness :)
 
I went from an electronics engineer to Air Traffic Control at the age of 31. I enjoyed the engineering but the money wasn't great and it is a bit of a dying industry in the local area. I had a wife, 3 kids and a mortgage so it was a big gamble but it worked out nicely in the end.
 
triggerthat said:
I'm an introvert and I work in digital marketing (have been for 3 years). It pays verywell but I am not happy and haven't been for a while. I don't enjoy going to work and I don't see myself doing it long term. I think it's time for a change but with that comes study and starting from the bottom. Anyone gone through a similar experience?
Click to expand...

Depends what you mean by "verywell". And how much of cut you are prepared to take. There's also no guarantee that what you switch to will be any more enjoyable either.

That said, being unhappy in work is a hideous place to be, so it's probably better to cut now after just 3 years than wait until it's no longer possible.

What are you looking to change to?
 
I moved twice:

Electrical Services Engineer into IT (low paid but 3rd line)

Senior IT bod to Lead Information Security Officer

You could argue it's still IT related but 99% of my work is now related to breach investigations, project management and risk management as opposed to IT support, so to me it's an entirely different field.

I haven't always done it for the money, my latest post is on the identical salary but it's a far more enjoyable post with far better long term prospects for progression.
 
neodude said:
I went from an electronics engineer to Air Traffic Control at the age of 31. I enjoyed the engineering but the money wasn't great and it is a bit of a dying industry in the local area. I had a wife, 3 kids and a mortgage so it was a big gamble but it worked out nicely in the end.
Click to expand...

Interested in how you managed that. I've looked into ATC but it would involve relocating.
 
I'm in the same boat, I've got an IT degree and roughly 18 months experience in the industry but I don't think it's for me.
The most difficult part is thinking of something I'd actually enjoy or at least not hate doing, I've done a lot of work in security and crewing events setting up for big corporate events and the like and that's what I enjoy something that doesn't stick me behind a desk, I get to work hard and when I come home shattered at the end of the day I feel like I've achieved something, but most of those sort of jobs would make me feel like I'm wasting a degree and the considerable debt that goes with it.
My house mate switched from a whole working life of retail management to being a teaching assistant at the age of 31 so it's definitely possible if you want to do it, you've just got to accept the fact you'll be back at the bottom and have the wage to go with it.
 
Aircraft fabricator / welder / forklift driver > Chartered Surveyor commercially running one of the most prestigious projects in London
 
Am 35 and have just started an OU course, which i intend to use as a stepping stone to get into a brick uni with a view to studying Biomedical Science. Currently working as a glorified bookkeeper.

Will take two years to complete the OU course, followed by another four years at uni which will put me over 40 by the time i am qualified.
 
I went from a very well paid job sat on my ass to a not so well paid job doing something with my day..

It was 13 weeks of training, 7 exams and still in probation now :)

Never looked back :)
 
triggerthat said:
I'm an introvert and I work in digital marketing (have been for 3 years). It pays verywell but I am not happy and haven't been for a while. I don't enjoy going to work and I don't see myself doing it long term. I think it's time for a change but with that comes study and starting from the bottom. Anyone gone through a similar experience?
Click to expand...

I worked for Hewlett Packard for 15 years and jacked them in at the end of July. Now doing a little web design work but I'm principally a stay at home dad.

Do what your heart tells you - you never see on anyone's gravestone "I wish I spent more time at work",
 
rossk26 said:
Interested in how you managed that. I've looked into ATC but it would involve relocating.
Click to expand...

Yep, you can get posted anywhere in the UK. I got posted to Aberdeen originally but managed to fail my training up there but luckily got a second chance at Edinburgh. So it turned out good in the end.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom