Career change - Confused!

itgirlinuk

I am thinking of changing my career. I am a computer professional and make a decent pay packet. More than average. But the rat race, rushing to work, politics at work is getting to me. I have done this for such a long time, that I am getting a bit dis-illusioned.

I am thinking of changing what I do for living. Maybe working from home, or doing something creative or continuing to do what I do, but do more relaxed hours...I dont know which route to investigate.

I want to find something else to do, as I need to work and pay my mortgage off. But don't know where to begin!

1. Can I go somewhere to get advice?

2. Has anybody done this before? Can you give me some sound advice?

3. Or am I just being too picky...Everyone complains about their work, but honestly, how many of you are getting tired of it and feel miserable?

Please help...I am very confused.

sadinmyjob

Hi itgirlinuk, I think we're soul mates, because you've summed up in your posting how i've felt for ages in my job. Yes the money is good, but the rat race has affected me so much, I hate my job, I hate most of the people who I work with, who either brown nose, or are just plain idle.....

I need to find something else quickly before I end up either saying too much one day, or just not going back!

Good luck with what you find out there!

sparksteruk

Hi itgirlinuk & sadinmyjob -

Careershifters (www.careershifters.org) might be a useful resource for you both.

And don't give up... this comes from someone who was v. unhappy in their own career three years ago, but decided to make a change and has never looked back since! It's not easy, but believe me, it's definitely worth it.

Savvy_Sue

I've heard "What colour is your parachute?" recommended as a useful book in this situation. Haven't used it myself, but if other MSEs think highly of it and you can get it from the library it's worth a try!

homer_j_3

I have worked in Financial Services for 11 years now and it took the death of a close relative for me to exercise the clause in my employers benefit package of a 12 month career break.

I went traveling and took a bit of time out of the rat race. Not everyone will have this option but taking a bit of time out of the rat race really made me fully understand how crazy work had been and how much of a cooking pot it was. I had time to reflect and really "step outside of the box" to see how many people really were moulded to look after no1 and not give a rats about anybody. "Stepping outside that box" also made me realise how much influence all these people had on me and the way I acted. It was mad.

I don't think it matters whether you work in IT, FS or Retail - where you work in a corporate environment, you will always have to put up with a lot of rubbish, people you don't like, people looking to climb the ladder and trample on everybody along the way.

I am still in FS and are back in the corporate environment (due to a silly mistake made on my part trusting someone I shouldn't) and are now looking to take steps to go back to working from home and being my own boss.

How did I work out that this was what I wanted?

Well I think its a common saying that "you will always be happiest at work doing something you are passionate about". I realised that I love helping people, I love giving advice and I love earning money from doing what I love. I am sad BUT I am really passionate about mortgages and helping people.

The second thing that I have realised. People who are employed make money for others, I am well paid yet my employer takes more than I get for what I consider very little. I would rather work less and see more share of the income I generate than work harder just to keep up with inflation.

The 3rd thing that made me make this decision was by reading a book which had a couple of key points that seemed so simple yet something that I hadn't even considered. "Make money work for you and not the other way around" and "You cannot change others but you can change yourself".

I am not money orientated, even though this may not come across very well here but the book says that as people get pay rises and promotions and earn more money, they accrue more debt. Rather than putting the money towards something that will make them more money.

I spent a lot of my working life saying "I wish we did things this way" or "why are they doing that, surely this is better" or "I can't believe so and so - they are always doing this or that" etc. You end up focusing on what other people are doing that you don't realise what you are doing.

I guess where I am going with this is that if you really like working with computers and you are good at your job then you will always have a job as far as I can see. Your frustrations are with things outside your control and even if you want a change of direction, going part time or doing some freelance work might help you take that important step away from your job and start doing something you make the decisions on and can control and do. Get some money together and invest in yourself - make money on your terms with nobody riding you and creaming from you. Self-employed people have more tax breaks so you can significantly be better off straight away if you do it right.

Don't think you need to change careers just because you are suddenly having a realisation that there may be something more than the monthly pay packet out there. It is a risk but knowing you can always go back to a job if it doesnt work out will give some peace of mind.

itgirlinuk

Hi sadinmyjob and others who have taken the time to post here,

I missed it out in my first posting, not intentionally, that I am self-employed. But as a self-employed IT consultant, I still have to deal with politics of the organisation I end up working for. Its true I could move on, find a different contract, but it does not help my career by changing every few months.

Somedays I wish I could run away and live in a commune. Or work where I don't have to deal with managers. I wish!

Franko43

ITGirl – I’m also in the same position as you. Work as an Business Analyst, totally hate it but it pays the mortgage. I used to get really frustrated about the thought of going in every morning (and still do) but in January of this year I decided to do something about it. I started thinking about what things I like doing and how I could make money from them, I built a Personal Development Plan to help me with milestones I need to reach to attain those goals e.g. complete a Evening course by Jan 2008 or explore possibility A/B/C. Also – think of building a portfolio career – different jobs that go to make up one wage, or at least do your current job on a far more limited basis. I’m still working at the same c++p for the same numbskulls but I hope by end of year to be doing something I enjoy. The trick is 1. Finding out what you like doing 2. Skilling up to get to that level.
Mail me if you want I can send on my PDP I wrote up, no two people are the same but it will give you an idea of how to channel your frustration into something more positive.

Hermia

Another person here who is sick of her career so you are not the only one! The problem I have found is that so many of the books/articles about career change are aimed at middle-class people earning a good wage. They are full of stuff about how money is not the main thing and quality of life is so much more important. The people featured often seem to be people who have made 'sacrifices' like downsizing their house or car etc. I'm in a vocational professional so whilst I am well-qualified my income is below the national average. If I took a pay cut I'd be living in a cardboard box!

The problem I have found is that when you talk to people in professions that look interesting it often turns out they are as bored as you and having exactly the same problems! Sigh..!