Changing careers advice

**Homestar** · 2nd November 2017, 08:51 PM

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 · 2nd November 2017, 08:52 PM

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.

Cheers Ean

**bemm52** · 2nd November 2017, 09:26 PM

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** · 2nd November 2017, 09:38 PM

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.

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.

**weeds** · 3rd November 2017, 05:14 AM

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** · 3rd November 2017, 05:40 AM

We're hiring

**trog** · 3rd November 2017, 05:49 AM

Too far to commute from Brisbane 😞

**dirvine** · 3rd November 2017, 07:07 AM

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** · 3rd November 2017, 08:28 AM

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** · 3rd November 2017, 08:35 AM

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

Thread: Changing careers advice

Thread Tools

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions