Career...are you enjoying yours? Need Ideas

[calnbs]

It seems like it was soo long ago since I graduated from college. I thought I wanted to go into the educational field and got my BA in History. Somehow I change my mind at the last minute....months before I was going to graduate .

10 years have come and gone and I am still lost. I don't have the luxury to take my time for soul searching anymore. I just turned 34 about a week ago and I am really at a lost as far as career wise. I'm just wondering what are you guys doing and are you guys enjoying it?

I've been thinking soo hard and I feel FatherTime is gaining on me. It's funny, when I was young....The world was mine. I felt I can do anything....Along the way, Realty has wore me down.

I thought about going back to school...but what do I study? Secondly, I begin to realize that things don't stick in my head as much as it use too.
I remember my last training, it was a 2 week management training....I didn't retain a single thing....I just zoned through it. So not sure school is a good thing for me now.

My experiences falls under sales, retail management, insurance agency owner.

Retail Management: Something I do very well. I have great leadership skills...Just extremely poor pay, long hours, and bad work hours. Rarely around my family.

Most happy was when I was running my own insurance business. I answered to no one except my clients. I realize how extremely expensive it is to run your own business. The daily hustling for the next client was tough. It's all do or die....and people still needs to get paid whether you make money or not.

I thought about going into another business venture but the way the economy is going....I've seen a lot of family business that has been around 50+ years gone over night.

Sorry about the rambling....but I thought I give you a little of my background.
Anyways, just looking for some pointers....may be there is something out there you guys are doing that I might enjoy.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I started as a high school math teacher, but couldn't deal with the discipline aspect of it. Now I am a draftsman. I have had some good drafting jobs, but the current one sucks (boooring.) I am now in search of a more interesting company to work for.
I enjoyed my college years, but if I had it to do over again I would invest that time, effort, and money at vo-tech. I would probably be a lot richer by now if I had.

 

[Haoleb]

So This is what a mid-life crisis looks like

 

[bandphan]

Ive always said if you enjoy what you do, things will work out. There is always opportunity in chaos, so dont be detered. If you enjoying working for yourself, find a path into consulting on a field you enjoy. You can do anything you set your mind to, and dont be affraid to take risks, as it leads to big rewards or great learning experiences. Good Luck, Im sure it will work out.

scott

 

[Djizasse]

So This is what a mid-life crisis looks like

Lol

You (he) should buy a bike and get a new girlfriend (a lot younger). Don't know if that works, but they look happy

Now serious. There should be something you like to do. You could try to find some job where you can do that thing, or at least it's related to it.
About going back to school and feeling slower, that may be due to lack of brain stimulation and training. You may find that in little time you're back in mental shape

 

[calnbs]

Lol

You (he) should buy a bike and get a new girlfriend (a lot younger). Don't know if that works, but they look happy

Now serious. There should be something you like to do. You could try to find some job where you can do that thing, or at least it's related to it.
About going back to school and feeling slower, that may be due to lack of brain stimulation and training. You may find that in little time you're back in mental shape

I like the girlfriend idea but then I would have to sleep with one eye open all the time.....hard to trust the wifey....when one have a girlfriend on the side, especially when my life insurance beneficery is her alone..... truth be told, I'm worth more dead than alive...don't want to give my wife any more reason to have me wacked.

 

[10010011]

My career?

Twenty years with the same company says one thing...

Love it

 

[j_garcia]

I'd look for something along the lines of what you like to do, but not necessarily directly related to your hobbies. You want something that interests you but not to the point that it makes the things you like into work...

I was a CAD designer for many years and I recently switched to working for a reseller supporting and selling and training people on those same CAD products. I enjoy helping people solve their issues and teaching them the fun little things about the product that makes their lives easier while designing. Plus I get to see a lot of different technologies in the design stage and meet a lot of interesting people.

 

[fredk]

I just turned 34

I feel FatherTime is gaining on me

Given that you are likely to live into your 80s, you're not even at the half way mark yet. With a large chunk of the population entering the geezer zone soon, there will be plenty of opportunity for you going forward, you just need to figure out what you want (not an easy task).

Retail Management: Something I do very well. I have great leadership skills

Strike the retail and write down what it is that makes you a great manager. Also, define exactly what those leadership skills are. Yes, these are the beginning steps in putting together a functional resume.

Most all companies need managers of some sort, and people with good leadership skills are in short supply. You just need to make the shift away from retail into something that pays.

When you can't pick up your own golfballs on a bad day, time is gaining on you. Before that, you're just another young punk.

 

[speakerman39]

Hey, I have a BS in Sociology/Criminal Justice. I hoped at one time to become a cop. However, due to a serious back injury that did not happen. Have done other things mostly involving Sales and Management. Dealing with the public at times can really wear you down. As such, burnout has set in with me. I used to manage a car audio shop, but now just do sales. The sad part is though, I really could care less about car audio.

I started my Masters degree, but it is doubtful I will ever finish. Most decent jobs here only happen when you have the right kind of pull. In other words, you can have all the degrees in the world, but unless someone pulls for you it is very hard to land a good job. The politics here are so plentiful it is almost scary. Have to kiss a lot of a$$ and be in the clique if you want something decent. Otherwise, all that is left are the $7 an hour jobs most of which are in the service sector or retail. There are other forces involved, but will refrain from openly discussing them here.

I believe that if you find something you like to do go for it. Be willing to put forth an effort like no other and sooner or later it will pay off. In other words, you get out of life mostly by what you put into it. This may not always be the case, but more often than not it will. At 41, I am no where nears where I thought I would be-but the fat lady aint singing just yet. I still have some time to pull things together. If it doesn't happen so be it. It then would be one of those things in life I have to learn to live with. That is just part of life we all deal with. It is more about HOW we deal with it that defines us.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[calnbs]

Hey, I have a BS in Sociology/Criminal Justice. I hoped at one time to become a cop. However, due to a serious back injury that did not happen. Have done other things mostly involving Sales and Management. Dealing with the public at times can really wear you down. As such, burnout has set in with me. I used to manage a car audio shop, but now just do sales. The sad part is though, I really could care less about car audio.

I started my Masters degree, but it is doubtful I will ever finish. Most decent jobs here only happen when you have the right kind of pull. In other words, you can have all the degrees in the world, but unless someone pulls for you it is very hard to land a good job. The politics here are so plentiful it is almost scary. Have to kiss a lot of a$$ and be in the clique if you want something decent. Otherwise, all that is left are the $7 an hour jobs most of which are in the service sector or retail. There are other forces involved, but will refrain from openly discussing them here.

I believe that if you find something you like to do go for it. Be willing to put forth an effort like no other and sooner or later it will pay off. In other words, you get out of life mostly by what you put into it. This may not always be the case, but more often than not it will. At 41, I am no where nears where I thought I would be-but the fat lady aint singing just yet. I still have some time to pull things together. If it doesn't happen so be it. It then would be one of those things in life I have to learn to live with. That is just part of life we all deal with. It is more about HOW we deal with it that defines us.

Cheers,

Phil

I struggle with which way should I go. Eitherway I go, it doesn't seem too promising. I completely understand where you are coming from. About the azz kissing thing. LOL....I'm not very good at that. I'm too f***king straight forward and tell people like it is...sometimes, it offends people. LOL. I told my Corperate HQ that their training suck and a waste of my two weeks. Others thought it suck too but were too afraid to say it....So I just told them what everyone was thinking. LOL. Anyways, the lady who design the training didn't think too fondly of me.

Most of my jobs deals with the public as well and I can deal with the public...I just can't deal with the pay. That's the sticking point in my life and my job. I need to make more money. That is what I want but I just don't know how I am going to do that. I don't know if I can go back and retrain or re-educate myself and waste another couple of years in some kind school.

I need a quick fix but unfortuately there isn't one.....by the way, does anyone know next weeks winning lotto number by chance

 

[Midcow2]

I agree with bandphan do something you enjoy !

 

[Midcow2]

Good Luck!

I agree with bandphan do something you enjoy ! but just remember even and enjoyable job has its moments!

I went back a got a amsters at 38 you are not too late.

I decided I needed convertible at 58. got a Hondas 2000 and put a loud Indvia exhaust on it! -- enjoy life get a good Ht system

August 4, I started my 40th year with the same company.

Don't plan to retire just yet.

Key thing be flexible! and admit your mistakes ( Yes,
I used to think Bose was the greatest! )

I work inthe Information Technolgy field as a senior IT consultant.

some good fields are IT security or medical if you have any interest you could get a masters and leverage your current skills.

Keep in touch with this forum --- extemely good !

GOODLUCK!

 

[speakerman39]

I struggle with which way should I go. Eitherway I go, it doesn't seem too promising. I completely understand where you are coming from. About the azz kissing thing. LOL....I'm not very good at that. I'm too f***king straight forward and tell people like it is...sometimes, it offends people. LOL. I told my Corperate HQ that their training suck and a waste of my two weeks. Others thought it suck too but were too afraid to say it....So I just told them what everyone was thinking. LOL. Anyways, the lady who design the training didn't think too fondly of me.

Most of my jobs deals with the public as well and I can deal with the public...I just can't deal with the pay. That's the sticking point in my life and my job. I need to make more money. That is what I want but I just don't know how I am going to do that. I don't know if I can go back and retrain or re-educate myself and waste another couple of years in some kind school.

I need a quick fix but unfortuately there isn't one.....by the way, does anyone know next weeks winning lotto number by chance

I relate to what you are implying. However, as young as you are I would surely go back to school or get some sort of re-training if that is what I had to do to better myself. My brother has a good friend who has a daughter that just graduated nursing school. Thus, she has a (2) year degree and just recently STARTED a job that pays $27.50 and hour!!!!!! Are you kidding me???? That is very good pay here in my area. I know people with professional jobs that may make that kind of money, but good Lord they have been in their respective jobs for years. Starting at $27.50 an hour is almost unbelievable. Have you thought about nursing? It was a thought.

You may need to take a job that will help you obtain the one you are after. Maybe take a job that will get your foot in the door so to speak. It may pay less, but it may also get you closer to the one you want. If nothing else, it will increase your chances......right? Good luck in your endeavors.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Adam]

With me, I grew into liking my job...kind of like an arranged marriage. There was a period of two or three years that I simply could not stand it - I really hated going to work every day. However, now I happen to really like what I do. Part of it is settling, I'm sure. Another part of it was me becoming more mature and learning to live within the system. For example:

About the azz kissing thing. LOL....I'm not very good at that. I'm too f***king straight forward and tell people like it is...sometimes, it offends people. LOL. I told my Corperate HQ that their training suck and a waste of my two weeks. Others thought it suck too but were too afraid to say it....So I just told them what everyone was thinking. LOL. Anyways, the lady who design the training didn't think too fondly of me.

That used to be me, in a way. Then I began to remember that all of the people at work are just that...people. Treat others with respect - and giving them open and honest feedback doesn't go against that - and they'll often do the same back to you. If you offer solutions to problems, people will take that much more kindly than just being told that they "suck." Not trying to pick on you or anything. That paragraph just caught my attention.

The only other thing that comes to mind is that there's more to life than money. I think that most people would like to make more money. I'd love to. However, I make enough to live. I can afford to put a roof over my pooch and me, and I can keep us both fed. I can also afford to buy some non-essentials, which is nice. I had a point to this last part, but I've lost it...so I'll just stop.

 

[fredk]

Eitherway I go, it doesn't seem too promising. I completely understand where you are coming from.

Find someone or something to help you change your view of the situation. As long as you believe things are not good, they will not be good.

At the age of 50 something, Ray Crock was a failed salesman who had never quite succeeded at anything he tried. Then he found this little family burger joint... Never give up.

I learned a very important lesson from my parents, both of whom lived through the second world war in Europe. Dead is too late, everything else is just another opportunity.