Thread: Changing careers advice

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, (&#128517 so take a risk☺☺

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.

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.