Has anyone had a big career change?

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HTroy

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#171365 15-Apr-2015 11:59

I once read that the average person changes their career five times in their lifetime. I'd love to hear from anyone who has made a career change, and whether you regretted it or loved it.

I worked in data analysis (SQL, SAS etc) for many years and never enjoyed the introverted personality types I worked with, so I'm thinking of making a drastic change and working as a travel agent. It pays about one third of what I earn as a data analyst, but it's social.

Money isn't everything right? Or is it?

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#1284640 15-Apr-2015 12:22

reducing your income by 2/3 seems like a massive change

mattwnz

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#1284646 15-Apr-2015 12:30

No money isn't everything, your health is more important , as is lifestyle. But money is what pays the bills. It largely comes down to what you are happy with doing. However if you have dependants or a mortgage on an inflated Auckland house,, then the amount you earn is more important.

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Snowflake

#1284655 15-Apr-2015 12:32

are you in a customer/people facing role, or a back room role? maybe you could consider a slight re-tooling rather than a complete U-turn?

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surfisup1000

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#1284696 15-Apr-2015 13:19

Thinking about this myself. ... a job where getting called for jury duty is not such a big deal , and, where holidays don't rely on a 3g connection.

mattwnz

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#1284698 15-Apr-2015 13:22

Something low stress and low demand is the ultimate job, so you can enjoy your life, as working takes up such a big part of it. Turning a hobby into a job can have advantages.

sep11guy

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#1284699 15-Apr-2015 13:23

HTroy: so I'm thinking of making a drastic change and working as a travel agent. It pays about one third of what I earn as a data analyst, but it's social.

Money isn't everything right? Or is it?

In a ideal world , i would do the same, but it doesnt work in the real world.

There are bills to pay, then mortgage, people to look after, upkeep certain standard in the society., all this demands $$ , so its not a easy decision to take

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MikeB4

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#1284703 15-Apr-2015 13:33

Yes I changed 3 times, After Graduating I was in Sales. I then moved from Sales into Welfare/Public Service Management, I then moved into IT/ IT Management and Change Management establishing support units and restructuring support units. Lastly due to ill health and disability I went into early medical retirement.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

slingynz

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#1284706 15-Apr-2015 13:40

Isn't it the same as having a kid? Half of your joint income gone. Lots of people do that.

Kiwifruta

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#1284711 15-Apr-2015 13:47

HTroy: I once read that the average person changes their career five times in their lifetime. I'd love to hear from anyone who has made a career change, and whether you regretted it or loved it.

I worked in data analysis (SQL, SAS etc) for many years and never enjoyed the introverted personality types I worked with, so I'm thinking of making a drastic change and working as a travel agent. It pays about one third of what I earn as a data analyst, but it's social.

Money isn't everything right? Or is it?

I was the maths kid at school. I have degrees in Maths and Finance. So after graduation I worked in commercial banking in analyst roles, then had one year overseas self employed. I came back to NZ late last year doing some temping data/excel work. Found I enjoyed the technical side still (which was lacking in commercial banking), but missed the more sanguine personality types from banking sales.

I'm now working as an insurance broker. Earning potential is way higher ( up to 5x) than in those technical roles. Retail sales can be a good training ground but the pay is appalling, due to low value deals and thin margins.

I'm thinking that if you are more interested in people related roles, consider insurance brokering, the hours are flexible (great if you have a family), and the earning potential is up to around $350k p.a., realistically you could earn $100k in the first year.

If you do decide to go in to sales, most important is the training offered, the money will follow.

It's still early days but this is by far my favourite role.

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#1284715 15-Apr-2015 13:49

I spent 25 years in the fishing Industry and 10 years ago moved into the plastics industry where I am today.

Glad I made the move. I guess my story is not the same as anybody else though.

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sep11guy

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#1284718 15-Apr-2015 13:52

I'm thinking that if you are more interested in people related roles, consider insurance brokering, the hours are flexible (great if you have a family), and the earning potential is up to around $350k p.a., realistically you could earn $100k in the first year.

If you do decide to go in to sales, most important is the training offered, the money will follow.

It's still early days but this is by far my favourite role.

I have heard the in insurance broking roles were they are promised 300k + figures - these are all no base pay, strict commission only roles, is this correct. In which case, the whole job can be quite a stressful affair.

Cant imagine doing that - its bit hard when u dont know what will u get next month, or will it cover expenses etc.

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MileHighKiwi

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#1284719 15-Apr-2015 13:53

Mine was hardly a drastic move. I worked in retail and sales/account management/BDM roles from 18-31. 4 years ago I moved into marketing because I got sick of cold calling people and the up and down nature of earning commission. I really enjoy what I do (a focus on automated and digital marketing) and have more options now to transfer into other work or work my way up to marketing director level in the years ahead. I've also done a bit of study since changing careers, which is useful for my line of work. I've studied direct marketing, and management studies.

From time to time I get the urge to get out of the office environment. Working as a customs/fisheries officer, doc ranger etc...that's all really appealing but the money is shi*, and while money isn't everything, it is a big factor. I could not afford to take the $30K pay-cut to get into those industries.

Kiwifruta

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#1284720 15-Apr-2015 13:53

sep11guy:

I'm thinking that if you are more interested in people related roles, consider insurance brokering, the hours are flexible (great if you have a family), and the earning potential is up to around $350k p.a., realistically you could earn $100k in the first year.

If you do decide to go in to sales, most important is the training offered, the money will follow.

It's still early days but this is by far my favourite role.

I have heard the in insurance broking roles were they are promised 300k + figures - these are all no base pay, strict commission only roles, is this correct. In which case, the whole job can be quite a stressful affair.

Cant imagine doing that - its bit hard when u dont know what will u get next month, or will it cover expenses etc.

That's where good training comes in to play.

Sure beats working in retail for around $40k a year, and knowing that even if you work a lot harder and smarter the pay won't go up much.

gundar

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#1284726 15-Apr-2015 14:01

mattwnz: Something low stress and low demand is the ultimate job, so you can enjoy your life, as working takes up such a big part of it. Turning a hobby into a job can have advantages.

While this sounds great, in practice and in my experience, turning a hobby into a job still leaves you with a job but removes your hobby. If you have a project in your shed or workshop and it has income potential that is different to a hobby.

Hobbies are fun and relaxing because there is no rush or pressure, they can be done in your own time and at your own leisure and costing is never really a consideration. This is the opposite of a job.

I used to work infrastructure services for almost 2 decades and I hated the people I worked with or for. I took a job supporting a team of electronics developers and it's about 30% similarity to what I did before with a much more enthusiastic and genuine crowd of people. Sure, I took a wage drop but not 2/3. I turned by work experience into a hobby as I still enjoy tinkering and that pays my beer money and keeps me out of trouble.

Good luck.

MikeB4

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#1284736 15-Apr-2015 14:05

gundar:
mattwnz: Something low stress and low demand is the ultimate job, so you can enjoy your life, as working takes up such a big part of it. Turning a hobby into a job can have advantages.

While this sounds great, in practice and in my experience, turning a hobby into a job still leaves you with a job but removes your hobby. If you have a project in your shed or workshop and it has income potential that is different to a hobby.

Hobbies are fun and relaxing because there is no rush or pressure, they can be done in your own time and at your own leisure and costing is never really a consideration. This is the opposite of a job.

I used to work infrastructure services for almost 2 decades and I hated the people I worked with or for. I took a job supporting a team of electronics developers and it's about 30% similarity to what I did before with a much more enthusiastic and genuine crowd of people. Sure, I took a wage drop but not 2/3. I turned by work experience into a hobby as I still enjoy tinkering and that pays my beer money and keeps me out of trouble.

Good luck.

I agree with that I turned my hobby into a career and yes it stopped my hobby for some time. Now that I am no longer working in IT my hobby is back be it limited, I still don't get that involved in IT support now.

Here is a crazy notion, lets give peace a chance.

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