How do you change careers?

[MotoGirl]

I’m feeling a bit frustrated with my job and think I need a change. I’ve been working at a software development company for five years now. I started out doing support (aka Help Desk) then moved into technical writing, and finally into business analysis.

I quite like making site visits and writing documentation, but I get bored once I’ve described how we’re going to customise the product, and then hand it over to a programmer to create. I’m only 26 so it’s not like I’ve spent 20 years doing a job and can’t be retrained.

Tauranga isn’t a huge city and it’s IT industry consists of about 20 companies. Add to that, software development doesn’t turn me on anyway. I’d be keen to change industries but am hesitant because it would involve taking a huge pay cut (like $10,000). Ideally, I’d like to be an automotive journalist.

I’m not keen on leaving Tauranga because all of my family lives here – plus, it’s so damn expensive to buy a house here. If I sold my house to move away, I’d probably never afford to buy here again if I wanted to come back again.

I know that happiness is the most important thing. I’m keen to hear how you guys have dealt with issues regarding money versus job satisfaction.

[MotoGirl]

Change industries and make Neal work harder for the extra $10,000.

Haha! I love the sound of that It's a shame I'm not ready for kids, otherwise I could stay at home and cook him eggs...

[_Gina_]

My partner is in that situation too.

I would suggest that the $10,000.00 drop p/a would mean nothing if you were re training to do something that was exactly what you wanted to do.

You would make the adjustments gladly.

Do you know how to get into the Automotive Journalism industry?

[vifferman]

Don't ask me - I get bored very easily. Perhaps Big Dave or Beemer can tell you.

I've changed careers many times: started off doing chemistry, then geology. I've been a furniture delivererer, a labourer, geological assistant/lab technician, a farm labourer, agricultural research technician / sheep shagger, dairy laboratory supervisor, systems manager, supervisor of software services, software tester/installer, technical writer, and now I'm a professional contributer to sites such as this one.

[vifferman]

Haha! I love the sound of that It's a shame I'm not ready for kids, otherwise I could stay at home and cook him eggs...

Oh - I left that off my CV. For two and a half years (when we lived in Tauranga), I was a contract programmer/analyst, which meant I spent most of my time, cooking, cleaning and doing other domestic duties. I loved the flexibility and the programming (@ $60/hour plus expenses), and enjoyed building a new kitchen from scratch, but hated the loneliness and my wife resenting our crappy house and my income dropping from $40k to about $30k.

[Joni]

I can relate to what you are saying 100%... Up in Auckland I had a job that most people would think is great, earned good money... but was really not very happy! Made a huge change and came to Chch, I earn almost 30K per annum less here than I did in AKL, but to me I dont really care... I am happy, and the fact that I cant buy as many things as I used to, does not matter.
My opinion, for what ever its worth, if you are not happy... make the change, just ensure the bills can be paid, all the extras money can buy dont really count if you are miserable at the place you spend a major part of your time.

Hmm... dpoes that make sense?

[MotoGirl]

My partner is in that situation too.

I would suggest that the $10,000.00 drop p/a would mean nothing if you were re training to do something that was exactly what you wanted to do.

You would make the adjustments gladly.

Do you know how to get into the Automotive Journalism industry?

Not really, we know a guy who works for the Motorcycle Trader (although I'm not sure what his job title is). We also know the guy from Bike Rider Mag. I've written an article for them before. I wonder if I should think about journalism in general, then try going automotive?

I hear what you're saying about the pay cut. It all makes sense when you put it into perspective.

[_Gina_]

Hmm... dpoes that make sense?

Certainly does !

[MotoGirl]

My opinion, for what ever its worth, if you are not happy... make the change, just ensure the bills can be paid, all the extras money can buy dont really count if you are miserable at the place you spend a major part of your time.

Hmm... does that make sense?

Thanks Joni, it makes perfect sense
I know what I need to do, not sure how hubby will feel about it.

[_Gina_]

Not really, we know a guy who works for the Motorcycle Trader (although I'm not sure what his job title is). We also know the guy from Bike Rider Mag. I've written an article for them before.

I wonder whether you could carry on working at your current job and start writing more and more stuff for the likes of BRM etc.

I would assume that this might lead to an opportunity to change career?

Good luck with it !

[Joni]

I think bananaman might surprise you... at the end of the day I am sure he wants you to be happy... so a plan can always be made!

[James Deuce]

Do it before you have kids.

Once you've got them and a mortgage, it's all over.

There are always exceptions to that rule, and for some reason they seem to come predominantly from the motorcyclist branch of humanity, but fundamentally, once you have a mortgage and kids, you'll die doing what you do at that point to earn a crust.

[DMNTD:Me]

3.5 years ago I gave up my job/Co. to seek a better/happier way of life.
Currently earning $65,000 less per annum yet never have felt "richer" in all my Life.
Money is money....easy to make. Happiness is everything
All I'm saying is Life is way to short to do something you're not completely happy with...I mean what's the point eh?
Go with your gut

[TerminalAddict]

Do it before you have kids.

Once you've got them and a mortgage, it's all over.

There are always exceptions to that rule, and for some reason they seem to come predominantly from the motorcyclist branch of humanity, but fundamentally, once you have a mortgage and kids, you'll die doing what you do at that point to earn a crust.

now you're just trying to hurt my feelings aren't you

I already have a mortgage, kids, digs, cats, horse, vehicles, etc etc

Changing Jobs is prett6y hard .. let alone changing careers ... doesn't help that I am the primary income earner, and can't afford to take a pay cut

[Joni]

3.5 years ago I gave up my job/Co. to seek a better/happier way of life.
Currently earning $65,000 less per annum yet never have felt "richer" in all my Life.
Money is money....easy to make. Happiness is everything
All I'm saying is Life is way to short to do something you're not completely happy with...I mean what's the point eh?
Go with your gut

Amen brother... preach!

Damn well said Sir!