Changing careers advice

[Toxic_Avenger]

After advice from the good forum on changing careers- hoping to open the floor to your experiences with moving jobs, both within an industry and a complete 'fresh change'. Did you take a risk? Did it pay off? Do you religiously change jobs every 5 years, or stick with a good thing when you find it?

The current stats are that the average worker will change career / jobs 10 times over their working life- ie the concept of a 'job for life' is not entirely realistic these days.
For the ambitious, there is opportunity to shift around to get better skills and different or more challenging work. For those who like to sit tight, the job market these days involves a much more multifocal approach to a 'job'- cross skilling, increased duties and responsibilities is the norm in jobs with a longer tenure.

I'm in a position with 6 years with a company (specific company is not applicable for the purpose of this thread), and I'm still young and have a level of education and experience that puts me well below the earning average for those like me. I'm considering a change now that I have built some skills above my academic experiences prior to this.
There is limited immediate ability to be promoted where I am due to a lengthy period of organizational restructure (definitely needed), but this leaves very little in the way of opportunity. On top of this, there are many stalwarts who have been in roles like mine for 20+ years and not progressed- so it seems like I'm at the end of the line. I'm in a niche market in the industrial supply industry, although the skills I have would be transferable to many site / operations management positions or sales positions within that industry. Current work/life balance is good, job security is fairly strong, and it's a great autonomous role. Despite this, I'm increasingly finding myself reviewing the seek jobs in my area getting a feel for what's out there. So the change may be on the horizon.

What have you done with your own careers?
Share your thoughts below!

[Gordie]

Longest duration of any job I have had is 7yrs....I get the itch to move on, done all sorts of very different types of jobs. That's my thing, have liked a new challenge and a change. Not for everyone though, I currently work with guys who have been there 30, 40 and 50yrs...and it scares them to think of going anywhere else.

[Toxic_Avenger]

I know what you mean- this is my longest time with any employer to date, but I felt myself getting 'comfortable' with the job 2 years ago. When the learning curve drops off, it becomes a challenge to remain sharp rather than submit to being 'stale' in the job.

[trog]

The best of luck. Every time I have attempted to upgrade upskill or even ask for more or varied responsibilities , the outcome has always been less than favourable , to the point where at 55 I am now a drop kick carparts delivery driver with absolutely no input on any changes to responsibilities or anything else.

[p38arover]

I spent 37 years (starting the day I turned 17. I had matriculated and did start at uni but never completed the course) with one company (Overseas Telecommunications Commission) in international telecoms. I changed jobs many times within that company - starting as a trainee radio tech working up through technical jobs, planning jobs, sectional management, building management, and ending up as Marine Manager dealing with lawyers, litigation, cable repair ships, and commercial fishermen, etc. I worked in various locations in Oz and had a couple of postings overseas.

I liked to move around to get new challenges.

At age 54, I took a redundancy package and got a job as a trainee signaller then signaller on the railways (at significantly lower pay) - controlling trains from various signal boxes in Sydney. I did that for 8 years until I retired.

When I retired my wife suggested I get a part-time job.

I replied, "Darling, I've had a part-time job for the past 8 years!"

One disadvantage of always working in govt business enterprises has been that the salaries are much lower than outside.

[fitzy]

I had the urge to do something different for 15 years, unfortunately I never acted on it, largely due to dropping money .
When I look back it would have been easy to do in my early thirties and build from there, will I say the same thing in fifteen years

[justinc]

I left school at 17 and went to work at a graphic design and silkscreen fabric printers. I built screen frames,stretched silk and even learnt to use a process canera and darkroom. Left there to pursue an automotive apprenticeship and then went to study again, cert ag and woolclassing/ sheep husbandry etc. Then spent some time on and off with exploration drilling companies ,sampling and as a field assistant. Then back to working in the automotive industry where i still am after 25years. After a short 3 years obtaining a Assoc Dip Mechanical Engineering Looking back on it all i have certainly taken some different paths but ended up in the most enjoyable place😎. You are young Mitch , as i once was, (😅) so take a risk☺☺

[mick88]

Mitch,
although from a young age retirement may seem light years away, in reflection life is short, so follow your own lead and pursue your goals.

Cheers, Mick.

[cuppabillytea]

If you are as far up the ladder as you can get, it's time to change Mitch. Jobs like Ron began in used to be the norm but they are like gold now. I know why the Politicians ended that norm but things ran much more reliably then because of the wealth of knowledge in the industries.
For instance: The District Locomotive Engineer when I was on the Railways back in the early Seventies, could tell you the number of an engine by the sounds it made as it passes his window as well as what attention it might be needing.
Take you're knowledge and experience and go for a job that scares you a bit. It'll be worth more money, and you will gain more valuable experience. I think I know you well enough to say you're up for a challenge, and certainly capable of tackling one.

[cripesamighty]

Sadly Billy, the sort of corporate memory and accumulated knowledge that locomotive engineer possessed doesn't seem to be as valued anymore. The world is poorer for it.

[Homestar]

Mitch, my own situation over the years has changed many times. I'm 47 and am now on job number - actually, I can't honestly tell you - I've been lucky enough that my hands on skills have translated to many different jobs, I'm a qualified Electrician that's spent nearly 20 years working with generators but I've also fitted exhausts, made aluminium windows, worked as a mechanic and I'm now in Sales...

I've never had a plan as such, just followed my heart. As I get a bit older I've come to realise that work isn't the be all and end all of life and will be finished full time work in less than 4 years now when I plan to sell up everything I've worked for and go on the road. I'll only need what dollars I need to eat and refuel in a nutshell, I've worked out that the collection of physical possessions doesn't drive me. I am lucky enough to be able to pick up work pretty much anywhere to make a quid when needed though, but that's only come from years of experience and hands on stuff.

This is just my story, but my advice is to do what feels right at the time - it doesn't matter if you succeed or fail in that venture it's just a step to the next thing you want to do. Life's too short for 'I should have dones'. I want to have a go for better or worse.

I don't regret anything I've done and I've made some pretty big mistakes along the way - call them learning experiences - but I do know as I get older I care less for the 9 to 5 and more about only needing to earn enough to get me to the next thing I want to see.

Just my 2 cents, it won't suit everyone, but it does me - my plan is to end up somewhere quiet on the farm to see my days out.

I don't see the need to collect wealth as important as life to be honest - for better or worse, I just find the older I get, the less I care for this way of life.

You're a bright, intelligent young lad - moving to something different will always seem scary, but that's not a reason to try. Although at your age it may not seem so but money isn't everything - I think that's something you learn as you get older. Moving may be required - I've moved 100's of KM from my home town to pursue what I wanted to do, so don't be put off by that.

Go do what your heart tells you - that will never be wrong.

[Ean Austral]

Got kicked out of school at 14 and parents gave me a choice , find a job or back to school. Went to sea on a prawn trawler 2 months later after doing shore based work getting the boat ready. 9 years later bought my own trawler, continued doing it for another 20 yrs, doing many different jobs during the off season when the fishery was shut down.


6 years ago took a shore based position with the biggest family owned fishing company in Australia , so still in the same industry but am now on the other side of the coin , basically making sure the boats stay at sea , and when they are in port making sure they get out as quick and easily as possible. It has been a struggle to go back to a company structure after working for myself for so long but it has its good points like sleeping in my own bed every night is a big plus.- anyone who has spent time at sea or working away will understand what I mean.

Can I see myself still doing this job in years to come - not likely , our priorities have changed with grown kids having left home , so we will likely travel on a working lap of the country. In the 6 years I have been on shore I have got my road train license, container forklift license , a few other license's that I hope will come in handy when we start our travels, sure I am going to take a big pay hit but I am prepared for that and think the work - life balance at our age is more important.

Our youngest daughter left her job in Darwin for 1 in Cairns, 12 months later got offered a job in Tamworth and decided to take the gamble and loves it . just means we have a bit further to travel to see her now.[bigsmile]

Cheers Ean

[bemm52]

If your bored move on.......your past work experience and reasons for leaving will make you a valued asset to your new boss(might even be you.....considered a start up in your field of expertise )

Theres a theory called the Peter Principle...........everyone moves up the ladder until they reach the barrier of their own incompetence.........never met anyone this has happened too, think it only applies to politicians

lay your cards on the table to your dependants and follow you feelings ....life's short

Cheers Paul

[p38arover]

I forgot to mention that in all my years of working, I was unemployed for 2 days.

I finished in telecoms on Friday and started with the railway training school on Monday. Even though the new job was nothing like my old, doing the training didn't seem much different from doing any of the courses I did when working in telecommunications. [biggrin]

The biggest changes were salary (the new job paid less than one quarter of what I'd been offered to stay in the old job), less stress, far less travel time, and when I left work I was finished for the day. No after hours calls unless it was to come in for overtime. [bigsmile1]

[weeds]

I might be in the same boat......

Im 47 and it’s only my third job...

1st 9 1/2 years
2nd 10 1/2 years
Current will be 10 years in feb.

[Disco Muppet]

We're hiring [emoji6]

[trog]

Too far to commute from Brisbane 😞

[dirvine]

I left school at 17 and worked in the State Savings Bank of Vic for 3 years. Then went back to school to finish Matriculation and go to Uni. When I nearly finished a double degree I went and worked at Melbourne University. Whilst there a work colleague suggested I did a Dip Ed. Never thought about being a teacher, but just loved it. But to go backwards in pay with young children was not an option. So I flirted with "day" jobs, ED of private hospital, Business managers of various private schools, and teaching on the side at night as I got bored. At 50yrs of age I decided to do more teaching and took a part time day job. I got a Phd, and gradually left (or was that pushed) out of my day job with AAV and took teaching full time at a University, but as a sessional academic. Been asked to go on permanent staff but have refused as it would mean more meetings and less class work which I love. I am "retiring" as of now (just need to mark exams) and next year will do guest lecture and tutor roles before hanging up the cape and motarboard to pursue the Grey Nomad experience full time. I have been in Managerial and /or Accounting roles all my life. I have worked for Local, State and Federal government departments. I am lucky that I have been able to pursue a profession I really love and find it very satisfying. Every 6 months I get a positive reinforcement of my job as I see many stuggling students succeed, which I like to think I have made some some small part to their success. So roll on retirement!!! David

[loanrangie]

Similar situation to others here and want to move on but its not easy when you rely on that wage coming in and have mortgage and dependents to think of.

[Vern]

25 years as a sparky, last 11 running our own business. Sold the house, closed the business, moved 1500km, took a few months off work, now its time to find a job. But i still don't know what to do, don't really want to go back to my roots.
Regrets, none, loving it and looking forward to the change in career

[Homestar]

Worked it out - I've had 11 jobs since leaving High School - shortest about 3 months, longest about 10 years. I've never been scared to uproot the family and move to where I want to be and where the work is and the family has always been happy to follow. Where we are now is the longest I've lived anywhere - nearly 15 years, so it's no wonder I'm getting itchy feet again...

[rangieman]

Your young and if you have the opportunity grab it with both hands and run [wink11]
I had one job for 19 years took the cash and ran wise not really but time for a change as i felt stale there .
Since then life has been up and down tried my luck at Truck ownership :wallbash:, Then on the grind to find a job not easy at all with this internet applications you don`t get a look in :bat:

In my last roll i built a good relationship with our customer`s and when that time came to leave the roll i used my relationship with my customers to move on[wink11]

So in 4 years on my 4th job and i might have a winner not sure yet but who can tell.

[martnH]

How old are you Mitch? I am 29

Two years ago I quit my first full-time job. By then I had been working as research fellow for a Uni @ Sydney for four years. The job was fantastic pay is great 100k plus 17%super (I left at b6)

But I quit because I want autonomy and more money and now on my way to be a dentist. So yeah I change my career completely. Hopefully by the end of this year, I will be a fully qualified dentist

The last two years has been very very painful for me (and still is. I had zero holiday and constantly in stress and doubt about myself....But I am almost there....

[Tote]

I've had a few different careers both within a single industry and outside:

Left school and did a years Farm Tech course as I was probably too immature and young (at 15) to score an apprenticeship
Got an apprenticeship with the NSW Govt as a radio mechanic, that job morphed over 12 years or so to become a somewhat soul destroying job as a photocopier tech after the department I started with was privatised.
Took my first big Jump and got a job as a computer tech with Osborne Gateway which lasted six months until they shut down Aus operations but I learnt a lot and could now say that I knew enough in the field to get a job easily.
Was made an offer by a local computer shop the afternoon after I got my redundancy payment form Gateway by a local agent for all the "big guys " in the computer field (Bull, DEC, Wang, IBM etc)
This went well for about 18 months until the boss sold the business and the leadership disappeared. Was offered a job at double my salary and went to work for DEC in Canberra, a job that I held for 10 years working my way up from a field service tech to a storage specialist
Decided that HP was not a viable long term career option after hitting the glass ceiling after doing a really interesting project for 2 years and then being told that the ongoing work would be back to being a field service tech.
Got a job with a federal Govt department as a storage specialist and have had a people management role as well as a solution architecture role within that job over the last 10 years.

A couple of takeaways:

The reason I moved from the bush to Canberra was a lack of opportunity and it paid off both financially and career wise
I found myself in my 30s and early 40s working with young blokes 10-15 years my junior but had no difficulty keeping up so age is not necessarily a barrier if you can adapt.
The reason I left HP was a lack of opportunity and I have had a great career subsequently.
If you have a good work ethic, can keep your skills current and are not afraid to accept change you will do very well.
If you get offered an opportunity grab it with both hands and make the jump, it has paid off for me every time.
Positions that you gain by matching your skills to a businesses needs and arranging yourself are usually much better than just applying for jobs so get proactive and grab those opportunities.

Regards,
Tote

[jonesfam]

The money you earn is important.
The place/location you work is important.

But, being happy & satisfied in your employment is more important.

It took me quite a while, but some folks find their nitch, & they basically do that job for a long time. (30 years of managing some sort of retail in some sort of remote place).

Some people like to switch, change, move on. They like the constant challenge & change.

Me, I like to have comparison, so I strive to constantly be better than last year both personally & business wise.

Depends what dives you, but it is all an adventure. Failure is just a driver to succeed

30 Years ago we left a secure job, a nice home, a comfortable life with all the city conveniences to live with the heat & the flies in the middle of nowhere, don't regret doing it despite some difficult times.

Jonesfam

[Gordie]

I am about to leave a good job, because I want to live somewhere else, it is a tough decision as it is a good job and I am in my comfort zone....but at the end of the day, life is WAY to short, to not be living where you want to live etc, so the job I do is just going to have to fit in with my life.

[Toxic_Avenger]

Wow, such a great response guys, keep the advice coming!
It's great to hear how others have changed roles, and been happy with their decisions.

I am currently 32 with no dependents, so a career change (for the right position) is easy to manage. I'm hoping to move into a sales management role, ideally in a field which complements my undergraduate studies in medical science.
I've made some great contact in my current industry thru my current role, but the few offers I've had just weren't the right move- I've always held the opinion that I'm willing to see what's on offer. Working for a global company in a well recognized local brand holds some weight for some prospective employers, but it's a matter of finding a role to suit for my next step.
One thing tying me down is a recent house purchase here in Tamworth, so I need to be there for a while (and renovate it) before I can travel further abroad, save a bill for some of the first home buyer's grant - if occupancy is <6mths, I need to repay the stamp duty concession. May next year will see that obligation behind me.

[NavyDiver]

Navy aged aged 15-23, Pearl farm diving Shark Bay WA for a little bit, Westrack Caterpillar workshop steam cleaner 6 months, Australian Government Publishing 2 years, tax office 7 years (reconstructive or forensic accounting with the big boys and girls) now medical centre IT, Payroll and dogs body AKA boss. Sad bit is only long service leave owing over the last 35 years work is now payable by me to me if I take it[bighmmm]

Looked at Cyber security double degree at Latrobe Uni for a mid life crisis swap for fun but was not given a leave pass last year. I did take a few weeks dole once post Shark Bay and had a few more days of during relocation from Sydney. VIC, WA and back to VIC and also took some time to study a few bits for grey matter improvement and fun. How much fun in each role was almost alway dependant on what I created. I have had and continue to have a ball[biggrin]

[Shoogs]

Left school at 16, Greenkeeper by trade but have never really looked after a Golf Course but built a few, have taught diving and small boat handling, shotfirer, some station work and then moved into Mining some 25 years ago, on and off but have lived and worked all over Oz, PNG, Tanzania, Zambia, Laos and now Madagascar, picked up some qualifications along the way.
I get a kick out of developing people and seeing them achieve what they never thought they could, developing nations are a treasure trove of enthusiasm, commitment and patriotism, it is very rewarding working in these parts of the world.
My family and I have travelled the world, a lot of Africa in a Defender and will continue to so, we can’t see ourselves returning to Australia to work though we love coming back for family and travel.

The old saying of finding a job you love and never working a day is completely true.

[Lemo]

Some great advices here!!

I started as an Apprentice electrician at BHP in Newcastle (best training you could get!! Shame there's not the same for young guys now)

Stayed in the electrical trade for many years (20) and did various types of electrical work, domestic/commercial, industrial and marine, communication/data and motor/generators. Couldn't have done all that without the great training provided during my apprenticeship! And working hard!!

Worked up the ladders at various electrical companies from tradesman to leading hand to Forman then service manager.

Come 2010 left a 7 year position for a 6 month contract!! Scary!! Took the risk and now have a the best job in the world!! Position with the RMS working on bridge rehabilitation and construction as a surveillance officer.
Completely different job but can turn my hand to a lot of different things.

I've always loved what I do and I think that's the key, and if you're honest, hard working I find things generally work out!

All the best and take a chance! Worst that can happen is you fail and have to start again!

Cheers Lemo

[ATH]

I had over 50 jobs including a 5 year apprenticeship in the UK. That job was the longest I'd stuck anything until the last 10 years of working life and I got a job in the WA public sector.
Had a few positions in that last 10 years as despite many stories to the contrary, often working with people whose soul purpose in life is looking after themselves, certainly not the public whatever their job description says, is very hard to do.
Back stabbing and brown nosing are the best qualifications for government workers....
However, during all the proceeding years I worked at anything I liked the sound of except being anyone's labourer or general lackey.
Had a lot of jobs, enjoyed some and other I didn't so I left.
And never bothered working hard or brown nosing. :-)
AlanH.

[Gordie]

Back stabbing and brown nosing are the best qualifications for government workers....
.
Glad to see that I am not the only one who has noticed that...

[3toes]

You need to know what skills you have and what you want to do next. Is what you want to do next a stepping stone on the way to what you actually want to do. Many roles above a certain level require you to have had a spread of experience otherwise you find you plateau and go no further even if you change companies. If you are happy at the level you are at a change of company to a similar role is often all that is need to make it all fresh again. If not you need to have some kind of a plan and then be ready to change it as opportunities appear.

If you can move within the same company to gain additional skills it is often easier to do as a next step as you are known and less of a chance than an outsider.

If you take an overseas role for a while understand what you want to learn and gain experience wise and how that will be of use to you on your return to Australia. Not all experience overseas is relevant to the Australian market. Business processes here in the UK tend to be 10 years behind what you experience in Australia so you may find it difficult to gain leading edge skills to be ahead of the job market. UK employers though recognise this and so are very open to Australians and the knowledge they can bring.

One thing I have learned is to always take whatever training is on offer. Do not put it off as you as too busy, this is very short term and only damages your long term sale-ability to an employer. If possible take the training which has an industry profile as this will be valued by another employer. There is lots of training which is not recognised anywhere except by the training company still do it as it cannot hurt and shows a employers a willingness to learn.

From a personal perspective:
I made a move to a dream job in a new start business that only comes along once in a life time leaving a secure (well for my sector) role only to find 2 years latter the company management changed and the new people decided to close my division. Rung up at 10 am to be told the computers were being switched off and we were to go home. Enjoyed every moment of this role and do not regret taking the chance. It has since opened up additional opportunities to me that would otherwise have been closed.

Was head hunted to a new role leaving what was the best employer I have ever had. Made the change as I wanted a move elsewhere in the country out of the city, a couple of years later this role was killed by the GFC and 60% of people were let go, me being one of these. The employer I had left restructured at the same time as I was let go and my role there did not survive the changes. So if I had stayed put the result would have been the same.

Had spent many years working in the one company. They wanted me to move to Melbourne. Made me think about my life and where it was going. Decided that Melbourne was too cold and far away (40 hours by bus to Melbourne only 24 hours to fly to London) and so left the company and arrived in the UK with some cash in my pocket and a CV. Knew what my skills were and from research that they were in demand in the UK, partied in London for a couple of months then found a job. If you change countries make sure you step into the new employment structure at the level you want as once you are in you have been placed and need to work from this point.