Where do you go for career advice?

[riverwed070707]

I've been going through a full-blown case of career burnout for several months now. Even though I love my job, I've realized I no longer wish to do the daily grind in a corporate office and I really want a more fulfilling job with a flexible schedule, even if it means less money but I'm struggling to really ID what it is I want to do.

On top of that, we are planning a major relocation (what better time to change career paths?)to downsize and just generally finally take the opportunity to live somewhere completely different than the state we've been our whole lives. (Un)fortunately, DH received a hard-to-pass up job offer in our current city that if he took and stuck out for even a year, it would really give him a leg up launch his dream career when we do relocate. I can't stick out my job that long, despite the amazing potential to substantially pad our savings, but I do feel it might be a good opportunity to redirect my career now rather than after we move since if I quit now I'd have the time and financial resources to study, train, maybe get certified or even begin building a business if that's the direction I go... if only I could figure out what the heck I want to do! Feels like starting college all over again. My interest are so vast and I could see myself being happy doing a lot of things but I need to be challenged and I like to be busy and I really think I'd like to try a career where I'm paid based on my effort rather than the number of hours I log at a desk. Right now, its so slow at work, I actually work about 3 hours a day and the rest of the time I do mind numbing organizing and cleaning of physical and electronic files just to pass the time.

Among the many ideas I've toyed with, I'm interested in possibly pursuing something in event management (my current field) that is contract based, a health/wellness coach, a life coach, a financial coach (clearly coaching appeals to me?), getting my yoga teacher certification, some hybrid of the aforementioned, working in international relations or running a business such as a franchise.

Anyway, all that backstory to ask, how do I narrow this down? I've spent countless hours reading about all of them and I understand all will take time and money to drum up business but I really think that's the direction I need to go, I just feel I need help getting started and I'm not sure where to turn. I've considered returning to school to get my masters but the hard part is committing to stay here long enough to do that and really, its just passing time for me since I still need to know what I want to do before I can pursue a degree in it.

Please tell me I'm not the only one that ever feels like just dropping everything and doing something entirely different....

[humandraydel]

Please tell me I'm not the only one that ever feels like just dropping everything and doing something entirely different....

I feel like doing something different all the time - but my rational self is not willing to take the risk being the only income. And admittedly I don't want to take a pay cut.

My only advice I could give I think you have already covered: do a lot of research and be prepared for a rough road. From a financial perspective, is there a way to reduce the risk by starting the 2nd career on a part time basis? Maybe switch your current job to 3 10 hour days? Or at least lay the groundwork for your new career while still employed? Create your detailed business plan, create a website, decide how to market, design business cards, and wait until you have at least SOME income before quitting.

[riverwed070707]

I feel like doing something different all the time - but my rational self is not willing to take the risk being the only income. And admittedly I don't want to take a pay cut.

My only advice I could give I think you have already covered: do a lot of research and be prepared for a rough road. From a financial perspective, is there a way to reduce the risk by starting the 2nd career on a part time basis? Maybe switch your current job to 3 10 hour days? Or at least lay the groundwork for your new career while still employed? Create your detailed business plan, create a website, decide how to market, design business cards, and wait until you have at least SOME income before quitting.

Glad I'm not the only one. If DH takes this job offer, then yes this would definitely be a possibility. For the past 4 years, I've been the main income and he works PT while taking care of most of the household and parental duties. If he takes this job which has a comparable salary to mine (if not more) I would have some flexibility, which is what got me thinking about starting the switch now rather than waiting til we get to the new location.

[snafu]

http://www.whatcareerisrightforme.com/career.php?id=186&career=Personal%20Financial%20Advisors

How did you choose your current career? Have you taken any of the career path tests for adults to see what meshes best with your education, experience and primary interests? Have you talked to someone who is in a job/contract/coach you desire? Can you take some holiday or personal time off to 'shadow' someone doing the work you desire for a couple of weeks?

[ua_guy]

First, I'd question what really constitutes "career burnout" over a span of a couple months. Sometimes in my career I have projects that can last a couple of months (to a couple of years!) and they're not always what I want to be doing at the moment, nor are they always enjoyable. But the constant is change. Wait just long enough, and my work life will be 180 degrees from what it was 6 months ago, if I just hang in there and give it time. I'm not saying you are, or are not, facing burnout, but a couple of months really is a passing moment in time.

I'm a fan of making career choices inline with personality and personal strengths. I love the MBTI as a starter for understanding your own strengths and personality type. It can both narrow and also widen potential career paths. That's been my saving grace. I can be good at what I do because it's suited to my natural talents (even though I don't always love what I do). Do you feel the same way? Does your career utilize your natural strengths?

This is just a personal quip, but I think people's existing jobs have more meaning to them than they are willing to believe. Work is work, and it doesn't always need to be more meaningful than providing labor in exchange for compensation, so that you can accomplish other goals. If you're able to be excellent at what you can do and can find personal meaning in that, you're ahead of most people.

It seems like you and your DH are making a LOT of changes. Jobs, money, careers, moving your home in a potential "relocation". Maybe I haven't read enough about what your plans are, but it seems like you need to pick a central focus.

If nothing changes at all, could you and DH be happy? Why or why not?

If you end up changing all the things on your checklist, do you think you'll be happy? Have you considered the possibility that your desired future may just be another routine (this next round, with less income)?

[jIM_Ohio]

I've been going through a full-blown case of career burnout for several months now. Even though I love my job, I've realized I no longer wish to do the daily grind in a corporate office and I really want a more fulfilling job with a flexible schedule, even if it means less money but I'm struggling to really ID what it is I want to do.

On top of that, we are planning a major relocation (what better time to change career paths?)to downsize and just generally finally take the opportunity to live somewhere completely different than the state we've been our whole lives. (Un)fortunately, DH received a hard-to-pass up job offer in our current city that if he took and stuck out for even a year, it would really give him a leg up launch his dream career when we do relocate. I can't stick out my job that long, despite the amazing potential to substantially pad our savings, but I do feel it might be a good opportunity to redirect my career now rather than after we move since if I quit now I'd have the time and financial resources to study, train, maybe get certified or even begin building a business if that's the direction I go... if only I could figure out what the heck I want to do! Feels like starting college all over again. My interest are so vast and I could see myself being happy doing a lot of things but I need to be challenged and I like to be busy and I really think I'd like to try a career where I'm paid based on my effort rather than the number of hours I log at a desk. Right now, its so slow at work, I actually work about 3 hours a day and the rest of the time I do mind numbing organizing and cleaning of physical and electronic files just to pass the time.

Among the many ideas I've toyed with, I'm interested in possibly pursuing something in event management (my current field) that is contract based, a health/wellness coach, a life coach, a financial coach (clearly coaching appeals to me?), getting my yoga teacher certification, some hybrid of the aforementioned, working in international relations or running a business such as a franchise.

Anyway, all that backstory to ask, how do I narrow this down? I've spent countless hours reading about all of them and I understand all will take time and money to drum up business but I really think that's the direction I need to go, I just feel I need help getting started and I'm not sure where to turn. I've considered returning to school to get my masters but the hard part is committing to stay here long enough to do that and really, its just passing time for me since I still need to know what I want to do before I can pursue a degree in it.

Please tell me I'm not the only one that ever feels like just dropping everything and doing something entirely different....

I went through this about 4 years ago.

The part which will bite you is you don't know what you don't know, and make sure the marriage is on stable grounds to weather the unknowns.

Be happy, you can always make more money later

[riverwed070707]

http://www.whatcareerisrightforme.co...ial%20Advisors

How did you choose your current career? Have you taken any of the career path tests for adults to see what meshes best with your education, experience and primary interests? Have you talked to someone who is in a job/contract/coach you desire? Can you take some holiday or personal time off to 'shadow' someone doing the work you desire for a couple of weeks?

I chose my career by interning in the same department in college and applying for an open position in the same department just before graduation. Its not where my educational training is but I've been doing it for 7 years now. I've loved the job for a long time but now its very routine and I'm not feeling challenged. Not much potential for promotion without choosing something entirely different in the company since I'm the only one who does what I do, and further, I've reached the realization that climbing the corporate ladder no longer appleals to me. I havne't taken a test but interesting idea. Thanks for the link! I have oodles of PTO so thats actually a great idea.

First, I'd question what really constitutes "career burnout" over a span of a couple months. Sometimes in my career I have projects that can last a couple of months (to a couple of years!) and they're not always what I want to be doing at the moment, nor are they always enjoyable. But the constant is change. Wait just long enough, and my work life will be 180 degrees from what it was 6 months ago, if I just hang in there and give it time. I'm not saying you are, or are not, facing burnout, but a couple of months really is a passing moment in time.

I'm a fan of making career choices inline with personality and personal strengths. I love the MBTI as a starter for understanding your own strengths and personality type. It can both narrow and also widen potential career paths. That's been my saving grace. I can be good at what I do because it's suited to my natural talents (even though I don't always love what I do). Do you feel the same way? Does your career utilize your natural strengths?

This is just a personal quip, but I think people's existing jobs have more meaning to them than they are willing to believe. Work is work, and it doesn't always need to be more meaningful than providing labor in exchange for compensation, so that you can accomplish other goals. If you're able to be excellent at what you can do and can find personal meaning in that, you're ahead of most people.

It seems like you and your DH are making a LOT of changes. Jobs, money, careers, moving your home in a potential "relocation". Maybe I haven't read enough about what your plans are, but it seems like you need to pick a central focus.

If nothing changes at all, could you and DH be happy? Why or why not?

If you end up changing all the things on your checklist, do you think you'll be happy? Have you considered the possibility that your desired future may just be another routine (this next round, with less income)?

Agree with you on "only a couple months"; however, this is something I've cycled through pretty regularly for a couple years. When I get busy I usually get distracted from thinking about what else I might like to do but it always comes back to the realization that this isn't my forever career. its been a great start for me but its not what I want long term. This last go around has been really intense and I just schlep in here every day wondering when I'm going to finally make the leap, and unlike times in the past it doesn't let up when I'm busy.

Could we be happy here, yes and we are. But we've also wanted to relocate for a long time and are starting to feel a crunch that now is the time to do it since DD will be in kindergarden. I know that doesn't mean we HAVE to go now and if she's in first, third or sixth we still couldn't go at some point but it just kind of feels like what are we waiting for?? As for my job playing to my strengths, it does but I also feel like I've outgrown it. Its redundant and it isnt' engaging anymore, and while yes, it is just a vehicle for income, I spend more waking hours at work every week than I do at home so I'd like for the work I do to be meaningful and I have bigger goals than just taking orders from executives week after week.

I agree with and appreciate all that your saying. I also feel strongly that I would have deep regrets in the future if I stayed on this path. Finacial stabillity is important to me but its not the most important thing.

[charlesgrans]

Hello,

This is my first post in this forum. I would like to say that you are not the only one who feels like this. In my life I have felt that I need to do something different. I currently work as a Laboratory assistance but now I have decided that I will complete my Phd sooner rather than later. So my advice to you is, complete your masters

[normajean]

Dear riverwed070707,

I have a few comments in response to your post, but first a bit about myself. I am a career changer. I have worked in the same industry for 20 years before switching to something completely different. I also tend to have a lot of interests and get bored when not busy.

What I have noticed is that when I was the major bread winner in the family, the issue of career satisfaction never came up; there was simply no choice. When I started my first job right out of college, I was thrilled and excited to have it. When our family's financial situation changed, I became dissatisfied. I did go back to school 9 years ago and got a Doctorate in a field that can be considered at 180 degrees from my original occupation.

My conclusions as a result of those experiences: 1) Career dissatisfaction is a privilege that we enjoy as members of a relatively wealthy society. In many other places, people are just happy to get paid. 2)Every career has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are often more salient in a "fantasy" career and the disadvantages are more salient in whatever you are doing at the present time.

My advice: put a lot of effort into learning what the disadvantages of the "fantasy" career are. Since a career change is usually directed towards the goal of life-satisfaction, do not jeopardize your financial security to achieve career change because it will affect it. Do learn what careers would be a good personality fit for you.

Good luck!

[riverwed070707]

Dear riverwed070707,

I have a few comments in response to your post, but first a bit about myself. I am a career changer. I have worked in the same industry for 20 years before switching to something completely different. I also tend to have a lot of interests and get bored when not busy.

What I have noticed is that when I was the major bread winner in the family, the issue of career satisfaction never came up; there was simply no choice. When I started my first job right out of college, I was thrilled and excited to have it. When our family's financial situation changed, I became dissatisfied. I did go back to school 9 years ago and got a Doctorate in a field that can be considered at 180 degrees from my original occupation.

My conclusions as a result of those experiences: 1) Career dissatisfaction is a privilege that we enjoy as members of a relatively wealthy society. In many other places, people are just happy to get paid. 2)Every career has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are often more salient in a "fantasy" career and the disadvantages are more salient in whatever you are doing at the present time.

My advice: put a lot of effort into learning what the disadvantages of the "fantasy" career are. Since a career change is usually directed towards the goal of life-satisfaction, do not jeopardize your financial security to achieve career change because it will affect it. Do learn what careers would be a good personality fit for you.

Good luck!

This is very insightful and thoughtful. Thank you. Out of curiosity, are you happy with your career change?

[bjl584]

The college I went to for my MBA had a great career counseling department. It was free for me to use since I was a student. I'm not sure if an outsider could access the department, but it may be worth a try to contact some of the colleges in your area.

[normajean]

Financially, it made zero sense, which to be honest I did not realize at the time of the switch. Fortunately, my husband makes enough money now for both of us, although years later he continues to complain about my choice. However, it completely changed me as an individual in more ways than I could have hoped. So, yes!

[normajean]

Just wanted to add that I am currently working on a project that will bring various career experts and advice seekers together. If you are interested in tapping such resources, sign up at www.careerkompas.com and I will email you when we are up and running.

[riverwed070707]

Just wanted to add that I am currently working on a project that will bring various career experts and advice seekers together. If you are interested in tapping such resources, sign up at www.careerkompas.com and I will email you when we are up and running.

Thanks! i'll look into it!

[ua_guy]

Bump.

Did you have any luck finding a good source of advice, or something to help flush out ideas of what your next career move will be?

At the risk of eating my own words of advice that I posted above, my situation at work has changed from "sometimes tenable" to "completely miserable" and it leaves me feeling like I need to make a big change in what I do.