How do you deal with "Golden Handcuffs"?

[snafu]

amarowsky, since you don't want to work for the industry of internship, what do you want to do? There are tons of questionnaires to help you define parameters and others to outline direction for employment opportunities. Likely means more studies and moving to another state. What employment help is offered by your university? What are you tracking online like Linkin?

Employees today must be nimble and flexible, long term loyalty jobs from grandfather's day are gone, business comes, business goes elsewhere in spite of The Donald's remarks. It all comes down to what can you offer an employer that other's do not/cannot?

Incidentally, DH's PhD dissertation was on 'Job Satisfaction'. I edited and prepared the blasted thing for presentation endlessly so I understand the findings. Since that time, DH has changed careers several times, but it's important to explain that he has continually updated and upgraded his base of knowledge and credentials. Technology is moving so fast new careers that were unheard of a decade ago make current education obsolete.

Have you noted Disney's Steve's remarks on employment for example?

[amarowsky]

I really don't mind doing most jobs. I don't have any real interest in moving. I'm in Detroit, so engineering and automotive companies are plentiful. Any thing on the business side would work. I'd like to get into a large company and then working my way into the programming and software development department.

I could move within my current company into management, much easier than switching industries. But I would have to move to Virginia or Georgia. I had to move before and didn't like it. I have no problem with travel, as I have had to with my work plenty. I am fairly ignorant to what the actual duties and environment is with large corporation business positions. But I'm very flexible, adaptable, tolerant, humble, and self motivated to learn.

[rennigade]

$70k/year can buy you an entire city block in some areas. Unfortunately those areas are overrun by gang violence and feral dogs. Apparently feral dogs are a big problem there.

[amarowsky]

Detroit is odd. Some houses go for hundreds of dollars at auction. And three blocks over there are vacant lots in bidding wars going for 200k plus. It's a very polarized city as far as value, amidst the massive rebuilding Detroit is going through.

I'm a suburb kid though, about 20 minutes drive from downtown.

[TexasHusker]

Where you are in a career position you're a bored of/tired of/actively hate but the pay, bennies and stability make it hard to justify leaving?

If I'm really honest, there's a certain question of fear and risk too?

I wrestled with that for years. I was making $250K ish to do positively nothing except show at some meetings and say "uh huh yes sir".

I left that gig - with everyone telling me I was out of my mind - to strike out on my own. Three years later, it's the best decision I ever made. God help those poor, scared soils I left behind. I'll be present at their retirement parties in 20 years...if they live that long.

[amarowsky]

I'm not making nearly 250k, bUT I have never struggled since I have made 50k annually. I think I am just a lot less risky than I thought. Exposing my self to a significant change like this is posing a bigger choice obstacle than I thought it was going to be.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Wow I can't believe it's been almost a year since this thread started. The golden handcuffs in the ER crowd is called OMY. Most people doing FIRE have that syndrome OMY. Because as you are about to call it quits, it's usually the most lucractive time since you've now saved enough to quit

[TexasHusker]

I'm not making nearly 250k, bUT I have never struggled since I have made 50k annually. I think I am just a lot less risky than I thought. Exposing my self to a significant change like this is posing a bigger choice obstacle than I thought it was going to be.

Each passing year, your risk tolerance will decrease. I took the leap at 46; I don't know that I would have done it at 50. Something about 50 for me psychologically - whatever I'm doing at 50 better work for a while ...

[sv2007]

Where you are in a career position you're a bored of/tired of/actively hate but the pay, bennies and stability make it hard to justify leaving?

If I'm really honest, there's a certain question of fear and risk too?

Don't know if this applies to your field.

In software field, for senior engineers/managers, after the hiring company decides to hire you, they try very hard to bring you on board. HR will ask what they can do to help. Just tell them the reason. Around here it is options/RSUs in the pipeline, which gets matched by larger sign-on bonus and larger initial grants.

Yes, there's risk/reward of course.

Had I stayed with the very first company I joined as a new college grad, (frankly) I don't think I'll be as well off at this time.

Now, if I was willing to relocate and taken up a job offer a few years back, I may be telling "my people" to type this for me right now.