changing careers later in life

[Aerts]

I did a 4 year degree in something that didn't suit me, now I am working in the building trades at oil refineries. I make good cash, but I can see myself wanting to get out and maybe into the office world down the road, maybe in 6-7 years. By that I mean the office world outside of my industry. Anybody here go through big career changes later on in their life? I think this would be more common for younger folk like myself (I am currently 26), as the economy and job market is so turbulent now.

Is it difficult to get into (start out in) the financial/government fields later in life (say mid 30's)?

 

[threepeat]

I did a 4 year degree in something that didn't suit me, now I am working in the building trades at oil refineries. I make good cash, but I can see myself wanting to get out and maybe into the office world down the road, maybe in 6-7 years. By that I mean the office world outside of my industry. Anybody here go through big career changes later on in their life? I think this would be more common for younger folk like myself (I am currently 26), as the economy and job market is so turbulent now.

Is it difficult to get into (start out in) the financial/government fields later in life (say mid 30's)?

I used to work as a recruiter, so take this for what you will. Unfortunately, the later in life you make a career change, the tougher it is for someone to take a chance on you. While I have no doubt you have the brainpower (given your degree) and the work ethic (given your background in trades) to do office work, don't forget that you will competing against young and sharp university students and ex-admins with all kinds of experience. Then you have people with more relevant related experience, like accountants or bookeepers, office workers, etc. When you are in your 20s you can sell yourself on potential; when you are in your 30s you really should be selling yourself on your accomplishments.

Unless the economy picks up huge in the next 6-7 years, this makes for a very competitive market. The fact that many people can do office work is both a positive and a negative from a job seeking standpoint. My own philosophy is that the top 25% in every field get all the attention from employers. You will want to be in that top 25% to be able to call your own shots.

What I would do is start beefing up your resume with relevant skills, like take that course in Powerpoint, Publisher, or Visio, etc. Learn how to type, I can't stress that enough. Become a whiz in Excel and Word. If you get the opportunity to do some office work on the side you should take it. Having some basic bookkeeping and accounting skills can also help you get your foot in the door.

On the plus side you are young, so you have the time to be selective about the jobs you take. I would suggest to start looking now, because good opportunities don't come all that often. In general, I would say if you find an offer you like but the timing's not perfect, take it anyway. Good opportunities can come at inopportune moments. In any case, you can always stay at your current job if you don't like the offer.

Good luck!

 

[FloridaGuy]

You might find a job but you will be starting at the bottom, for reasons stated above. Even padding your resume by taking computer courses (prospective employers assume you know how to use all the current software, by the way. Its always kind of hoaky when I read resumes that stress the applicant knows how to use Word and Excel. D'uh. How about SAP or Oracle applications? Are you a Peoplesoft guru? Can you run any CAD programs?) Even volunteering for office work at charities or running clubs or a home business will not make you competitive with the guy who is 26 years old today but is already working in an "office" environment. By the time you apply for the same job as him, he will have 5 or 6 years solid experience under his belt, but you will have nothing.

It would be different if you try for an office job in your current industry or company. The combination of a degree, some IT courses, perhaps some demonstrated leadership or administrative experience (Union Executive, for example), when combined with your hands-on experience in the company, make you desirable for an internal hire.

Its not all negative though. You can always get an office job somewhere, but you will be 10 years behind your peers who are working in an office environment now, today. So prepare yourself for frustration when you are 50 and all your friends are 3 or 4 pay grades higher than you. Unless you are spectacular, in which case you can make up some lost ground.

I would jump ship now and start building a credible resume.

 

[FloridaGuy]

Here's a thought though. You have a strong background to get into Risk Management, sometimes called Loss Management or plain old Safety. With the proven academic background you have, and your trades experience, you have a credible opportunity to get into that field. You would need to take some courses or classes in that area, either through work or on your own at night. A good start is also your shop's OSH committee, assuming you have one. Get on it and go from there.

 

[Aerts]

Here's a thought though. You have a strong background to get into Risk Management, sometimes called Loss Management or plain old Safety. With the proven academic background you have, and your trades experience, you have a credible opportunity to get into that field. You would need to take some courses or classes in that area, either through work or on your own at night. A good start is also your shop's OSH committee, assuming you have one. Get on it and go from there.

I could try and get into something white collar now and ditch a solid thing, but it might be more worthwhile trying to do something else in the same industry I'm in later on instead of doing a total 180. I hate to say it, but I do what I do mostly for the money. Something to do with investments interests me because I do it on my own time (and the potential for a lot of money), government would just be an easier job. I would like to own a business to do with construction but I don't know what, the opportunity hasn't presented itself yet. If I had grown up with connections in the white collar world, I would probably be there right now. But, my few connections to do with work are unfortunately all in the oil field or construction, hence I am playing the cards I've been dealt. Maybe I'll try brushing up my resume and making a couple attempts.

 

[princeofdarkness]

You owe it to yourself to explore the possibilities and what interests you the most. Seek various informational interviews from all of your chosen interests and then plan from there. The possibilities are truly endless.

Peace.

 

[InTheBum]

Actually, working for people is a waste of time...IMHO!

Rather than trying to "sell" yourself to potential (cheap) employers. Why not learn some real skills and then sell yourself doing contract work?
Example. Learn accounting, then work from home and sell your services to employers.

Also, unless you have a high level of education...ie...MBA or CA or Engineer, most office jobs don't pay. 2k to 4k a month. Most in the 2.5k to 3k a month.
HR people are also stupid as hell...they struggle to see potential and are easily fooled or hire someone based on internal referrals, that usually don't work out.

 

[InTheBum]

Mba = useless

My friend has a MBA from a fancy USA school, and says it takes him 3 months just to get an interview here in Vancouver.

Vancouver has very very limited opportunities.
What is here? Banks, Hotels, Malls, City Jobs, Govt jobs, and a few High Tech companies...WOW!

 

[Aerts]

I agree with what was said about degrees, but I would go even further. I know lawyers who make nothing, useless engineers who know nothing and also make less than I do. I was going to go do a second degree a couple years ago but I am glad I got into the field I did instead. I know I'm smarter than 99% of the guys I work with except for the top management, and I think they might just be very connected and more experienced. I could go do an MBA or master's of public admin tomorrow but I don't see how that will really benefit me. Most of my classmates went the grad school route and they are all cowards with no money or balls.

There is a lot of consulting work in construction/mining but I'm not too knowledgeable about that side of things, ideally I would like to work for myself or even better with an equally experienced guy with some intelligence and business acumen.

 

[Big Dog Striker]

I did a 4 year degree in something that didn't suit me, now I am working in the building trades at oil refineries. I make good cash, but I can see myself wanting to get out and maybe into the office world down the road, maybe in 6-7 years. By that I mean the office world outside of my industry. Anybody here go through big career changes later on in their life? I think this would be more common for younger folk like myself (I am currently 26), as the economy and job market is so turbulent now.

Is it difficult to get into (start out in) the financial/government fields later in life (say mid 30's)?

" Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great? " by Jimmy Johnson ( former Coach of the Dallas Cowboys )

Life is so short, get out of your comfort zone and do the thing that you love. Planning on changing careers in 7 years is like postponing great sex for old age.
Might be quite humbling making a fresh start but at least you probably will be more excited waking up in the morning and might stop waiting for your next vacation schedule. If you love what you're doing then its not work.

 

[InTheBum]

Follow your desires and dreams man. Hating your job makes your life drudgery. I was at the point where I couldn't get out of bed in the morning at all. Even when times were great and my income was 12k+ a month I was still tired of it. I'd press snooze for 30 minutes. Wake up at night angry at not getting paid, etc. I was contracted to a company but self employed and I just said cya. My entire life went boom at all once. This was my first full weekend off. I slept 12 hours. While I'm still technically finishing up and realize I'm out probably 15K in lost billing...I can wake up. The future IS better. Thank God.

This is classic mental illness caused by a job...you had depression (unable to get up) and anxiety (angry) from your job.

 

[InTheBum]

I have had 3 career changes in my life I have also had jobs to just make by. I must say for the 3 real career jobs I have had I did enjoy, however I got bored. I have never been an office girl sit down at a desk all day. My last job which I still do on a part time basis in mental health is awsome I enjoy it so much. Downside is it is alot of shift work and it is a major burnout. I need to look after me. Now I find myself in the business setting my own hours and enjoying my customers so much. I have fun I look after people and that is what makes me happy, caring for people and looking after thier needs.
In my opinion you will never truly be happy in life with a job you are not happy doing.
I don't work as an SP for the money yes it pays the bills it is because I enjoy it. I worked in the Mental Health Field it did not pay so great we even took a cut in pay but I did not go else where as I enjoyed my job. I would not cared if the job paid $30 or mor a hour if I was not happy I would not do it.

I guess find something you enjoy and you will be happy with your career. If it gets boring start seeking something else out.

Why would you work for $30 an hour and make $150 a day after tax...when you can charge 200+ an hr and pay zero tax!??!!???

 

[cruiser]

Very interesting post.....

I'm in my mid 40's and am on my third "career".....I was in my first career for 12 years...the second career for 3 years...and in my current career for five years. I started in an office environment and now wear coveralls and work boots for work. My job involves customer interaction, a bit of local travel, and working outside (in all types of weather!).

Along the way in my path of life, I've earned two college diplomas, which I feel have made me a better person. Education is something that you will always have with you. I can say that when I started my latest 'career', I met other people working in an office environment and I told them of my work schedule (4 days on/4 days off), and they were envious of me. They slaved 5 days a week, taking their stress home with them, while I would go home tired, but not carrying the mental stress of an office environment. My job has now changed to a 4 day work week, so every weekend is a long weekend.

My job isn't perfect...it doesn't require my education (I'm quite overeducated for it actually)....I got into it because I wanted to be out of the office.......it makes me decent money and is respectful.

One thing I've noticed...there is less "arrogance" in the blue collar world then when I worked in an office. I can go to any customer in my coveralls and workboots and am treated with equal respect. An office environment carries with it all types of people...and alot of those people think that they are better then the next guy (eg., the cost/name brand of their clothes, the car they drive, their education level, etc). When you wear coveralls and workboots, nobody is looking at the name brands of your clothes or the vehicle that you drive, or asking you about your education.

My two cents....

Cruiser