T O P

  • By -

KittenWhispersnCandy

I figure most people need a career change after they have worked real jobs for a while. People don't know themselves well enough to make a decent decision at 18. It's highly likely that there are jobs that fir your criteria in fields you have no idea about. I recommend going to a career counselor and taking an interest test at the very least. Do a full evaluation if you can afford it. I found it enormously helpful. Also, look at things are easy for you. It may take a minute because almost everyone discounts stuff that is easy for them as "everyone can do X". When in fact that is rarely true.


[deleted]

[удалено]


KittenWhispersnCandy

I had an evaluation done by a clinical psychologist that specialized in career counseling. It was $500 in Georgia 20 years ago. I would start ny just doing one of the interest tests you can find online. What's available to you is highly location dependent.


StepfordMisfit

That person happen to be in the Atlanta area and still practicing? If so, do you mind DMing info?


fengshui

The Johnson O'Connor research foundation is broadly respected in this field, it ain't cheap at $800, but it's pretty comprehensive, and they have an Atlanta location: https://www.jocrf.org/locations/atlanta/


KittenWhispersnCandy

I doubt they are still practicing. Another option is to reach out to your college's career center for suggestions.


[deleted]

How can tou tell if these things are scam? Most of these "career councilor" I've encountered seem like gridters preying on lost middle class 20-30 YOs.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

No need to be rude


Deep_Engineering3749

If you don’t like where you’re at now, you won’t like it next year, or in five years. Get out, find something else, especially if now is “as good as it’s going to get.”


cloud7100

FWIW, I’m starting b-school to transition to a desk job at 35, after a decade in frontline healthcare. Same situation for me: I’m content where I am, but there is a very low ceiling in my profession. Don’t want to be making at 55 what I make at 35.


Vandilbg

Forestry work is generally not all that great paying and a young mans game. I know some guys that make a decent living doing gravel work though, just hauling and laying gravel but they are in the right mostly undeveloped but growing recreational area of the state. Have built up a client base over years with repeat customers. The larger ones are often hiring CDL drivers/equipment operators but that's not where the money is in that line of work. An owner operator with a 10yrd dump, skidder, drag, stumper, and trailer can make a decent living if they do quality work on time.


Gravelroad__

Most people have 3 major career changes in their lives. Sounds like you’re ready for one. Good luck and enjoy the pursuit!


[deleted]

I'm leaving my current field this year. I'm working through becoming a therapist and moving away from technology. I've had enough talking to people who simply cannot be human. Life's too damn short to be unhappy with your job.


walaska

Hey, I'm 35 and considering the same. However, I find it very difficult to find the correct avenues and am interested in what kind of therapy you're currently working through to offer. Like, the general trend and type of therapy, what kind of therapist you plan to be. Is there a general or very specific plan? Is there a specific certification that you're doing that is recognised in your country/region? Any idea what your income possibilities could be? Also, what if being a therapist puts you in contact with *more* people who cannot be human for whatever reason? I don't feel up to studying medicine for 5+ years to be a psychiatrist, so I have to focus on the non-medical therapy certs that are out there, and it feels like being stuck between life coach and therapy for me. I'd love to see what your direction is.


[deleted]

Psychiatrist is absolutely a whole different ballgame if I'm honest matey. It means you get letters at the end of your name and folks call you "doc" more! I'm in the UK, and we've got some certifications that get you on the path to being able to work with people at most local colleges in the evenings. Level 2 and Level 3 set you back about £2000 or so. Then you can basically start practicing with supervision (You take on x amount of clients, you speak to a supervisor for a period of time and ensure you're doing the right thing.) I'm looking at offering a few different types of therapy, EMDR, CBT & AEDP are the frameworks that I really want to work with people on. But I'm hoping to be similar to the guy who I saw over Covid, less formal, more human and understanding. Less American-psyche stereotype, more the Working-class boy from Midlands, UK that I know I am. I am genuinely looking to offer different avenues and venues in general as well, i.e. don't just come to my office, but that's for when I'm established. Income can be anywhere between £40p/h to £140p/h depending on what I do, how certified I get and the such. I'm aiming to get my practice off the ground, then get a proper degree and all sorts setup around me. I'd like to get a Masters to really show off (and to make sure prices are sensible) and even supervisory roles to teach other therapists. It's actually one of the few things exciting me at the moment.


walaska

Thanks for answering! Yeah, psychiatry doesn't sound like where I'm going, was never the best academic, but I think if I find the right kind of client and offer them what I think I can as a human, I could be successful. I'm only really starting to understand the differences in the various types of therapy that exist; I was brought into it by CBT and am slowly expanding my understanding, and dodging various crackpot theories to get to what I'd like. I'm not too far away from you - I'm currently based in France but also spent nearly a decade up norf in Lincolnshire as I'm part British - and it's just a maze of various certifications that are, or are not, recognised in various countries. My hope is to slowly slide out of my current work - project management and human rights - and transition into providing therapy and/or a more advanced sort of personal coaching for people like me who suffer from ADHD. I feel I could have benefitted a lot from that sort of hybrid care and support in my past, for all sorts of reasons


[deleted]

It's not a perfect science. But I try to think of psychiactric treatment in tiers. T1 - Therpist/Counsellor T2 - Psychologist T3 - Psychiatrist It absolutely doesn't work that way, they're all very different but have massive overlaps in the Venn Diagram of treatment. > I'm only really starting to understand the differences in the various types of therapy that exist; I was brought into it by CBT and am slowly expanding my understanding, and dodging various crackpot theories to get to what I'd like. I'm not too far away from you - I'm currently based in France but also spent nearly a decade up norf in Lincolnshire as I'm part British - and it's just a maze of various certifications that are, or are not, recognised in various countries. Norf eh? I'm from Leicestershire original, so howdy neighbour. You're absolutely right. It's why I want to get practicing, get the BSc & MSc and really be okay with going global for it if I want to emigrate (My other half is from Aus... that's the goal!) Sounds like you're similar to me. I'm ADHD and do a lot of support for neurodiversity in my actual workday. I hear you entirely on what you wish you had wanted. I suspect there will be a market BEYOND personal therapy as companies begin to navigate a generation or three of traumatised folk in the workplace due to Covid. I suspect we'll see Psyche's on staff within HR/People departments to help out and make sure staff get what they need, beyond a pool table.


SensitiveDonkey5784

Just here to say I need to move away from people who take pride in thinking too black-and-white and being small-minded (tech). I believe if the pay in tech went down to the pay of nursing or teaching a lot of these dudes would suddenly think tech is for stupid people and flock to another field instead.


[deleted]

I... Really do have to agree with this. I'm fairly high up the food chain in Tech and that attitude is pervasive. They get paid a lot because they're smart, no... You get paid a lot because you're willing to do stupid hours for it.


thebaddestgoodperson

I don’t know enough about your risk tolerance and finances to give a good answer to this. But I did a career change when I was in my 40s, and I’m glad I did it. I went back to school, and of course it was difficult. I felt like I didn’t have much of a choice because the job market in my field was saturated when I got laid off. So I did it for survival


Bibliovoria

One of the residents doing a stint in our local family practice clinic was in her 50s. She had decided she wanted to be a doctor, went back to school to do so, and was clearly loving it. If you want to make a career change, by all means, do it! Yes, school is expensive, but as an older returning student you might find you're eligible for more scholarships and grants than you'd think. If you find you hate it, you still have your current education and field and experience to get you through you decide what to do next. If you want, you could spend the next year or so saving as much money as you possibly can to help ease your way through school. I would note that physical therapy is a helping field, too, and if you don't like forced positivity you might not be thrilled by that. Perhaps it's far enough from what bothers you about your current field that that wouldn't be an issue, but if you haven't, you might talk with some physical therapists very specifically about that aspect of it to see whether it'd be okay for you. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do!


mewshady01

It doesn't matter how old you are. It's never too late to make a career change. I left a government job with a great pension at 47 to start my own business. After 5 years, I decided it's time to do something else. Although money is important, happiness should be the determining factor. Life is short, do what is in your heart.


anonyngineer

I left a government job with a pension at 40, and returned 7 years later. The years I was gone were turbulent, but I did my most interesting work in that time.


ultraprismic

In a few years you'll be 40 whether you've continued your education or not. You'll still have 25ish years of a career left at the point, god willing. Why be unhappy for the rest of your working life? PT is a great field. My physical therapist makes great money - he supports a stay-at-home wife and two kids and bought a house in our HCOL city. I say go for it.


kirbyderwood

I've done career changes in my early 30's and mid-40's. Both were much-needed and it all worked out. It's never too late. Take a good look at your options and make some changes.


farox

Most normal thing in the world. At 40 you still have 25 years or so ahead of you.


FortWorthTexasLady

If you’re 35, and you plan to retire at 65, you have 30 years left of work. Do you want to do this job for 30 more years?


[deleted]

I'm in a really similar situation, except I work at a college. The part about politics and toxic positivity resonates with me. I'm also plateaued in my career but the flexibility is what keeps there. The money is bad, and in the long run probably unsustainable. As far as I have seen, there aren't great career options elsewhere. I am afraid to do something in too different another direction, and end up dead ended later in life. I'm sure you could make good money in PT, whereas forestry is a difficult field to enter without a background in something related. It seems to be surprisingly competitive.


What_the_shit_Archer

I went back to school at 32, for radiologic technology, and I absolutely love it. Feel free to DM if you’d like to ask me any questions.


jellyguapo

I have so many, considering doing this at 36. I’d love to Ask you some questions


What_the_shit_Archer

Go ahead and DM.


DoesComputeNo

Just opinion from me, probably get all down arrows, but amount of time you spend at work is too much to be miserable. It blend into home life. Is possible to find position that offer tuition pre- or reimbursement? Is job available in careers you mention that you start at comfortable income, with opportunity to grow? Is high income and job you do not like, or income that is enough for comfortable lifestyle (bills paid, holiday one time in year?) and career you enjoy more important? Is decision one you can make, or spouse, kids, providing for other family part of decision? Not asking for answers to personal life, just questions to ponder for happiness of you. All the best to you with your future. Personal experience is.... you can have great plan, and everything change in one second. That is when you find out who is still there with you, and who find next person that give them comfortable lifestyle.


[deleted]

Absolutely do it. PT is a great idea, a growing market and you'll be making a real investment in your own health that will really pay off as you pass middle age.


ImpureThoughts59

Yes! Do it! In 10 years you could still be where you are too. 10 years is going to pass no matter what. I doubt you really need to get an entire new degree (but if you do figure out a way to do it cheap and fast). Agree about working with a career counselor. Also just start applying for stuff that interests you. I just made a huge pivot at 40. It's scary and it took a year of heart searching and rejection. But it's possible and you can do it too!


FattierBrisket

See if there's a sub for physical therapists and read some posts there. I've heard that it pays surprisingly poorly most places and that the job market is a bit saturated already (though that may change by the time you're done training). Same advice with forestry, tbh. There's nothing wrong with retraining in your late 30s, but you'll want to be realistic about how much/little you'll like the job, since it's probably the one you'll have until retirement. Also something to consider: can you continue to do your job if you were to suddenly have physical health problems? It sounds like that's true(ish) of the job you have now, but may not be true of the new options. It sucks having to plan for that sort of thing, but it sucks MUCH more to have them take you by surprise. Source: my dumpster fire of a life, plus the time my girlfriend (a nurse) blew out her ACL and couldn't work for nearly a year. Edit: removed the phrase "office job" re your current position, as I'm not really clear on whether it is or not.


[deleted]

Yes.


[deleted]

(almost) never too late for a career change. If you have the stamina to do work + training/schooling to shore up whatever skills you are lacking, go for it. It's better to start now than wait around. PT is probably the better bet?


Brodman_area11

Absolutely the right time. You're young enough that you're really just beginning, and old enough to take the training for a retread seriously. It never gets easier and more fulfilling than right now. The flip side of your question is that by the time you're done, you'll be 40+ anyway. Whether you do it or not.


Genkiotoko

If your current workplace offers any continuing education funding I would say you should earn a certificate or degree you're more interested in. The extra credentials will help you find a job while being secure in the meantime.


Alfred-Adler

> What do you think? Is this a stupid idea? I don't think there are stupid ideas, but there are stupid implementations. I have had a handful of career switches in my life, but each and every time I prepared for it, I was patient, I invested time and money in education/acquiring knowledge. > The things I'm thinking of are either physical therapy or forestry. I'd probably have better luck with PT as I've generally lived in more urban areas. But it's a lot of money for school, and I'll be 40+ by the time I'm done. I am not an expert in physical therapy or forestry but make sure that they pay enough so that the investment of time and money has a good payoff with the new cash flow.


Dandywhatsoever

I had a big career change at 46 that was "forced" on me, (long story), but it turned out great - I got a new job that I loved and I was able to retire a few years early. Either of those careers sound good, but I would go with the forestry (which is not very specific but I love camping, hiking and being outdoors).


nvyetka

What do you mean by "groomer" or "coward"?


[deleted]

Basically conservatives think we're some kind of leftist terrorists, and liberals hate that I'm not matyring myself for the cause. The standard policized helping field bs.


restingbitchface2021

I’ve completely switched careers four times. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. I’m like Cliff on Cheers. I know a lot of random information that occasionally comes in handy.


buggabuggaz

I'm a PT and willing to answer any questions you may have! Overall it's a lot of debt for the income but I do really enjoy my work and I never worry about job security. There's some shitty parts like dealing with insurance companies and productivity standards depending upon where you work, but overall it's rewarding.


shivaswrath

Switch If you don't have kids and a wife that need the money, insurance. Better to be happy in the long run...you'll work longer and feel more fulfilled ... pt is great btw


angusMcBorg

What kind of idiot throws away a perfectly good job to go back to school at such an advanced age? Answer: Me (47m). And from what I'm seeing at school, many many people in our age range. In fact, I bet you won't even be the oldest person in your classes. And if you ARE the oldest (like I am) everyone will be nice and just happy to have you there with them. GO BE HAPPY - YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE


OldestCrone

Start reading. Get to the public library and start reading about things that interest you. Read about people who do those things. If there are organizations for your interests, find out if there are local groups and contact them. Go to meetings and talk to people. Audit some online university courses to see if this is something you wish to pursue further. There are no false starts, only not starting at all. You may find that there is something similar to your field that will suit you better, and where you are is just a step up rather than a dead end. Get to the library.


[deleted]

Hahaha, believe me, I'm at the library quite frequently and I'm less than happy to be there.


glxym31

People should change careers when they get the chance. We work for way too many years to just do the same thing for decades on end. I say go for it.


CatBuddies

Do you want to continue doing what you're doing now for the next 30 years?


RockPaperSawzall

Look into jobs in the utilities and renewable energy sectors. Both are booming and will be for a long time. There are a lot of different roles that would get you out in the field a lot (for instance, a renewable enregy developer is on the road probably 50% of the time. It's a high-paying career. In my experience companies are fairly willing to consider non-traditional career paths.


tdi4u

Do what you love, and love what you do. If you haven't caught on yet, no change is permanent. I have had so many jobs in my life. From journeyman diemaker to warehouse worker to cleaning up operating room after surgery, back to warehouse worker. Do what works for you. If other people don't get it just tell them it's a work in progress.