Complete change of career, anyone done this?

AubreyMac

Anyone ever quit a job to do or re-train in something different?

If so, what did you do and why did you choose it?

I work in administration and have done so for years.

I want to do something different that's a bit more specialist and skilled but I'm not sure what.

Even if I knew what I wanted to do, I don't think I can financially affort to leave a secure (albeit c-rap) job for now.

agrinnall

Lots of threads asking the same question, read some of them first then ask specific questions if you need to.

And the answer to your question is of course yes, I'm one who has done it.

juno

I will be leaving my job in customer service to become a paramedic. I've passed the assessments and interview and am just waiting for my start date.

AubreyMac

agrinnall wrote: »

Lots of threads asking the same question, read some of them first then ask specific questions if you need to.

And the answer to your question is of course yes, I'm one who has done it.

Ooh ok, I shall have a dig.

elsien

I didn't quit, I got made redundant and decided I wanted a change. Not a complete change of career - I went from being a manager in a home for people with learning disabilities to becoming a mental health advocate. Still in social care, so some transferable skills but a different field.
Lower rate of pay, but worth it not to have to do line management any more. I have to do further qualifications which the organisation will pay for but which I would need to pay back if I left within a specific time scale.
I probably wouldn't have done it if I hadn't lost my job but once the job security had gone I decided I had nothing to lose and if I wanted a change now was the time to do it.
Wouldn't hurt to look around and see if there's anything where you can get training on the job if you need it.

AubreyMac

juno wrote: »

I will be leaving my job in customer service to become a paramedic. I've passed the assessments and interview and am just waiting for my start date.

Congrats!

Paramedic is a job I definately can never do!! It takes a certain type of person to be able to do that so well done.

Loopy28

I worked in Customer Service type roles for about 10 years, never enjoyed these jobs, I then went back to university and studied a degree in Nursing. I ended up absolutely hating that job so returned to Customer Service for a couple of years before moving on to complete a teaching qualification over one year and have been in the adult learning sector ever since (5 yrs) and love it!

InsideInsurance

Worked in call centres for 10 years. The last 18 months of which was in a claims department for an insurer.

Applied for their graduate scheme as an internal applicant and the Head of Strategy offered me a 6 month secondment starting the following Monday if I could relocate to London with a promise of a perm job if it worked out or the option of either going onto the graduate scheme or going back to my old job if it didnt.

It chose me rather than I it. Been doing related jobs for over a decade now

[Deleted User]

Yes in answer OP, I went from a secure albeit low paid job into unknown zero hours situ, anyone following my posts would know it's never really something I've recovered from, though I have met some truely smashing people and had opinions changed along the way temping as a result of trying to recover and this has what kept me going

If I had my time again and in hindsight, I would retrain on days off and as part time only as I could, if money were the issue

There is a lot more to just re-train in another industry if you ask me, you also need to consider culture and if you would fit in as this is not guaranteed, working pattern changes against personal and home life are not to be taken lightly, I am fortunate I only have myself to think of! Are you in same position?

AubreyMac

Deleted%20User wrote: »

There is a lot more to just re-train in another industry if you ask me, you also need to consider culture and if you would fit in as this is not guaranteed, working pattern changes against personal and home life are not to be taken lightly, I am fortunate I only have myself to think of! Are you in same position?

Yes I am single, childless and live alone (well I'm about to as I've just brought a flat that needs a bit of doing up before being ready to move into).

I'm not sure what it is I want to do yet, but some other people at work have re-trained in things outside of work which gives them more options.

AubreyMac

Loopy28 wrote: »

I worked in Customer Service type roles for about 10 years, never enjoyed these jobs, I then went back to university and studied a degree in Nursing. I ended up absolutely hating that job so returned to Customer Service for a couple of years before moving on to complete a teaching qualification over one year and have been in the adult learning sector ever since (5 yrs) and love it!

I'm glad you're now in a job you love.

This is the bit that scares me a little, I could re-train only to find out that I hate it!