Complete career change: have you done it?

[Poop~Ghost]

Could you fairly easily come back to your current job or something similar if you hate the new one? If that's the case, then I don't really see much of a downside to trying it.

There's certainly a chance that if I laid the ground-work correctly I could leave a door open. There's definitely a history of people leaving and coming back, so that's really possible.

[N1CK.]

If you decide to pass on it, I'm looking for work.

(just sayin')

[mcsquared]

Why not ask your current employer if they can match the offer? I mean you gotta be prepared to walk out if they say no. But maybe they give you a raise to keep you? I think travelling for work, eating at applebees/chilis/tgif's everynight, is just about the most soul sucking thing I could do so I avoid it at all costs.

[TNKen]

Yep, wildlife manager/biologist to attorney/dentist.

Made sense at the time.

[Benny Profane]

Why not ask your current employer if they can match the offer? I mean you gotta be prepared to walk out if they say no. But maybe they give you a raise to keep you? I think travelling for work, eating at applebees/chilis/tgif's everynight, is just about the most soul sucking thing I could do so I avoid it at all costs.

I don't know. Getting stuck in the same place somewhere with a job going nowhere and only having those three eateries available to me would make me want to slit my wrists.

[smmokan]

Why not ask your current employer if they can match the offer? I mean you gotta be prepared to walk out if they say no. But maybe they give you a raise to keep you? I think travelling for work, eating at applebees/chilis/tgif's everynight, is just about the most soul sucking thing I could do so I avoid it at all costs.

Funny, this is exactly what I told him last weekend. You'll never know if you don't ask.

[bagtagley]

I went back to school for complete career change. Did the new career for several years. Then, when we moved back East all I could find was a job in the old career. Did it again for a few years until I could find something in the new field...again. My only regret was leaving a pension behind before I was vested. My current job also has a pension, and my only hesitation for leaving this job would be leaving behind another pension. One more year and it'll be mine to take with me, but it's hard to walk away from that security.

I'm actually considering a third career change. I really want to be a farmer. Partly because I want to have a excuse to buy a tractor, but that's another discussion.

[BFD]

I made a change from union construction surveyor. Bought myself a job as a fisherman. Best move I have ever made. What made the move successful was timing.

[bendtheski]

From video tech/editor/graphic artist to 911 dispatcher. Cut in pay and shift-work but now in CO and 12 miles from my favorite mtn VS NJ and 250 mi to VT.

Not sure if I could go back to broadcasting or would even want to. Technology advances pretty quickly and my skills are probably pretty obsolete after about 9 years, but if I really stop and think about it, I'm living the life I used to not even torture myself dreaming about; living in the mountains, home ownership, pretty killer skiing and biking close by, wife, dogs and no kids...

Might not really apply to your situation, but I'm pretty psyched about how things turned out.

[Poop~Ghost]

Funny, this is exactly what I told him last weekend. You'll never know if you don't ask.

Knowing our management, and seeing past situations unfold, that's not going to happen. It might squeeze out an extra point or two, but not 10-20%.

I really do appreciate all the responses (except for trying to find and seduce my wife) and it's definitely interesting hearing other folks history.

[jfost]

...I really do appreciate all the responses (except for trying to find and seduce my wife)...

huh, I would have thought that'd be flattering, no?

[Poop~Ghost]

huh, I would have thought that'd be flattering, no?

It was until I found Hugh in my bed last night... have that mole looked at BTW.

[jfost]

It was until I found Hugh in my bed last night... have that mole looked at BTW.

not a mole, that was his wiener.

[XtrPickels]

I've thought previously about changing it up, but I never actually had an offer to do anything.

It doesn't sound like you're striking out "into the unknown". Have a series conversation with the friend offering the position, get more info, but it sounds like a solid opportunity that may very well be worthwhile.

[The Reverend Floater]

I've done it and it was a little scary for a day or two, then the fun of learning something new and being immersed in a new challenge alleviated any of the worries. I'm not saying you take the job but don't let the fear of the unknown deter you.

Best of luck.

[Hott Butt Mud]

I'm in the process right now... it is kind of a comforting feeling knowing that you are learning something new, and for me, a challenge is motivating. The old was getting old and the new is more interesting right now.

[MakersTeleMark]

Rural high school math/middle school science teacher > database programmer in Boston > dental school/climbing/skiing bum in Boulder > dental hygienist in rural CO.

I am so not better off in many ways ($$$, mental health), but my "quality of living" has slightly improved, and I drive a lot less. I'm still chronically fucked up the ass in one way or another, no matter what, but that is more based upon my own tendencies.

[cramer]

I think the only factors here is if you think you are going to like the job and like having to travel. I don't see money as being a huge motivational factor here unless its in that 30K range. You will see quite a bit more on your check. 10K isnt going to change that much. You're already making plenty of money. Thats just a little more in savings. I'm a little suprised to hear you are a programmer and don't work from home. Why do they have you come in the office? Its not like you need to physically fix anything. I'd entertain the offer, use that leverage and work yourself into a work from home gig at your current job. If you are looking to travel and want a new challenge, by all means jump on it. I have the luxery of living in the bay area and not having to commute to the city. I could probably grab a big salary jump, but i dont see it as being worth it. I have a 6 year old and would like to spend as much time as possible with her. Your kids are a little older, so tough call.

[spook]

---

I'm still chronically fucked up the ass in one way or another, no matter what, but that is more based upon my own tendencies.

You don't say...

[satori]

Has anybody quit a job paying 100K range, for, say, half the salary, and getting into ski related field like opening your own shop or buying a lodge/pension, and now skiing and mtn biking whenever you want? If you're married, what was the wife's opinion/reaction? Were kids a factor? Or did you realize you can live on so much less and be that much happier?

Sorry to jump in on OP, and I dont have any advice, but I am working on quitting teaching and getting into a completely non-related field, too. I wanna live in the mountains up in Nagano, and would damn near sell my soul to the devil to do it.

[Smoova]

I've done several complete changes: Army officer > civil engineer > telecom manager > slimy lawyer. As you note, it can be stressful not to know what you are doing for a while, but frankly that's also pretty fun - a test of how smart and adaptable you really are.

If I were you and was feeling content but topped-out in the current position, I'd make the jump. (Full Disclosure: I am a complete hypocrite - I just turned down a great gig with a good company that would have been a big promotion because my current position is relatively easy, pays well and allows me to ski whenever I want.)

[Chainsaw_Willie]

Can't answer the questions you're really asking, but I did totally change careers and am glad I did it.

Went from a cubicle jockey in software IT and QA to commercial electrician. Best thing I ever did.

Even though I haven't been able to find work in construction in over a year the fact I have a commercial electrician's license AND a software/IT background helped me land my current job as a facilities technician at a data center.

[Poop~Ghost]

I think the only factors here is if you think you are going to like the job and like having to travel. I don't see money as being a huge motivational factor here unless its in that 30K range. You will see quite a bit more on your check. 10K isnt going to change that much. You're already making plenty of money. Thats just a little more in savings. I'm a little suprised to hear you are a programmer and don't work from home. Why do they have you come in the office? Its not like you need to physically fix anything. I'd entertain the offer, use that leverage and work yourself into a work from home gig at your current job. If you are looking to travel and want a new challenge, by all means jump on it. I have the luxery of living in the bay area and not having to commute to the city. I could probably grab a big salary jump, but i dont see it as being worth it. I have a 6 year old and would like to spend as much time as possible with her. Your kids are a little older, so tough call.

My current job is solving complex problems with other people who know other parts of a huge system. Face to face meetings are the norm. Hashing out 3 different solutions for hours... etc. The programming side of programming is easy. Create, Read, Update, Delete. That's the basis to most programming... different syntax to do that.

Has anybody quit a job paying 100K range, for, say, half the salary, and getting into ski related field like opening your own shop or buying a lodge/pension, and now skiing and mtn biking whenever you want? If you're married, what was the wife's opinion/reaction? Were kids a factor? Or did you realize you can live on so much less and be that much happier?

Sorry to jump in on OP, and I dont have any advice, but I am working on quitting teaching and getting into a completely non-related field, too. I wanna live in the mountains up in Nagano, and would damn near sell my soul to the devil to do it.

I've known only one guy who really made a go of this. He took his wife and kids up to a small town, got a piece of land and little house and then did enough work to pay the bills. Seemed happy to me - but personally I have a hard time with adding kids to that equation. Yeah, they get a better childhood - more outdoors, more fun stuff - but their education is going to lag behind and they won't be able to financially help their kids go to college. If that wasn't a big deal or you didn't have kids - then if the wife is on board, absolutely go for it.

[The Duke of Hurl]

I don't need the money, in that our bills are paid and there's enough left over to put some savings away. But in 12 years, I'll be looking at the first kid going into college and 2 years later another. Having a shot to pull in an extra $20k a year could potentially make that less terrifying.

I have never travelled M-F before so I am not exactly sure how I'll take that. I have worked from home at various points part time (few days a week), but never full time. That's a big question for me too.

I know you already responded to this but IMO you DO need the money. It's much easier in the long run to start aggressively funding your kids' education funds now than later.

Also, while $10-30k may not seem like a large addition to your income think what percent increase it is to your discretionary income. I suspect like most people you spend most of your income on overhead, essentials and it sounds like you're prudently saving, so the extra could also be fun money. $30k can buy a lot of fun. Its not a dress rehearsal.

[Cono Este]

Change is the only thing that is constant in this world. Maybe you're job is ok now, but then maybe in 5 yrs management will blow it all up. That's what happened to me.

That experienced taught me two things. 1. There needs to be growth in your company or field of work for you to advance personally. 2. Who you work for is everything. Bad leadership will ruin the best of opportunities.

If you think this company and their work is getting bigger and better, and you like the man/woman who is calling the shots, take it.