Are you doing what you want to do?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Are you doing what you want to do?
7
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 2:37pm

I have been thinking lately about where I'm going to be in 10 years. I have worked 15 years for a sole practicing attorney who is 62, and although the man will probably pass at his desk, I'm thinking of a need to change my career somehow. At almost 42, that's a pretty scary thought. Plus, my daughter will be 22 in 10 years. Who knows what's she's going to be doing! I would like to think she will be in college but who knows.

Anyway, I started thinking back before I graduated high school and what my thoughts were then. Like now, my thoughts then were all over the place as far as careers go. I definitely knew that I wanted to be a wife and have kids. Really, that's all I wanted to do, but because of situations, I ended up working full time also.

I've thought seriously about going back to school now that my daughter is older and understands things better, but honestly, I don't know what I would study. I don't want to work with the public (been there done that my whole adult life).

Did you and do you know what you want to be when your grow up? LOL!!!! At 42 I'm still not sure! I like my job, learn interesting things here, but I'm kind of getting tired of dealing with other people's problems. I really don't deal with them directly of course, but when they're waiting to see my boss, they feel the need to tell me EVERYTHING, things I really don't want to know, if you know what I mean.

Has anyone else made a career change lately?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 6:40pm
Hi Emma, I am in the same situation as you, the slight difference is that my boss is actually 75! I work in an office where everybody is a senior, I am the baby at 39 yrs old. I've been thinking the same as you, I should do a career change, I need to have something more substantial. I have two kids, ages 18 and 11, I am a single mom that could probably use more money! I've been thinking into x-ray technician, is about a two-year program and I heard that they make good money. I would have to invest in a loan to study in a private school. But the more I am thinking is worth it since it's about my future and my kid's future. Go ahead and start thinking of something else, I know it can be expensive, but I think in the long run, it'll be much worth it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 9:13pm

My career has taken some twists and turns in my life. Most notably it has given me my own business.

I think the important thing is that you have to take stock of your best skills and talents and apply those to something marketable that brings you joy and a good lifestyle.

I have had jobs that worked weekends, holidays and long hours - but I didn't mind because my heart was in them at the time.

I don't know a lot about you or what you do, but I would be inclined to search for something that you add on to what you already have - and can go to school while you work - that is always the most stable thing.

I started my business while I was working at my last job and did both for a long time.

Whatever you choose, I wish you all the best!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-27-2005
Fri, 10-28-2005 - 11:06pm

Hi Emma,

I'm not sure that I've ever grown up...I'm getting ready to go to bed after catching up on my gossip mags...so there you go.

Seriously though!!! Yes it is normal to consider your path and you should...if you act (reasonably) on it or it expand your horizons.

Do I love my job??? For the most part, I would have to say yes...but asking me on a bad day...different story.

The one thing that I would have to say to this...is we are all in our fields for one reason or another...I can't attest to any one else.. BUT we can choose our life course. Sometimes making a change/acceptance in our own life can bring you peace with your professional life and vise versa. We spend most of our day there.

What you need to do is take stock in what is going on with you and what will work for you. I'm always for improving your "base"...no matter what it is...high school...Associates...BA...MBA...whatever...in the end that improves you but that doesn't "define" you...YOU do.

I highly respect and encourage any effort to go back to school and choosing a new path.

I've listed this at my favorit quote in my profile and I've tried to live by it...(not always to my advantage)...My Dad said and I will NEVER forget."The hardest part is making the decision to do something...If it's the right decision things will fall into place because of your committment to your decision"..my own caveat...make sure you know what your plan B is.

Hope it helps a least a bit.
S~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Sat, 10-29-2005 - 1:36am

I made my change a little over 3 years ago. When my marriage went south, I had a factory job, working on an assembly line. Mindless production work. It allowed me to hide out emotionally for several years while dealing with what I was going through. Then, about 4-5 years ago, I wanted more.

I had to resign from the mechanic's position that I had in the National Guard a little before that because of the way that my ex was treating my kids and I missed the work. I love the demands of being in maintenance. An opportunity came up at work to get into themaintenance section and I took it. I had enough schooling and experience to get selected and my boys were old enough to be able to handle the offshift job I would have to take at the end of the program.

I now work at this, still taking classes. I love the demands of the job. It requires a very wide ranging education and the ability to think on the run. It gives me up to 72 hours a week at one of the highest paying jobs in this area (love that time and a half and double time).

However, I also am still looking forward to the future. I want to continue my education, preferably in an engineering field - something to do with metalurgy. There is a gunsmithing school that I want to get into in a few years, as well. By combining the engineering, my technical skills now, and the gunsmithing course, I figure that I can be self employed with a good income and be able to live away from population centers. Plus I love guns, not hunting, just shooting and designing gadgets.

There are very limited sources of income outside of the cities. Of the legal fields open to me, gunsmithing is the most attractive. That's about a 10-15 year plan from now.

Michael

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2003
Sat, 10-29-2005 - 11:28pm
Hi,
I am currently 'reinventing' myself, due to a divorce. I was a sahm for 10 years and before that I worked as a bookkeeper for 8 years. While at home I had an in-home dressmaking business. NOW, I am back in school working on my business degree. I had the accounting background, and though I find that particular field a bit boring, I thought it was a good starting point to pursue the business degree. Not sure what I want to do with it, but a guidance counselor once told me that with this degree I could get a job virtually anywhere, from a hospital to a professional office, etc. I think I may use it to get back into the retail/fashion businesses which I enjoy being around, probably because of my sewing/fashion background.
Try to talk to some counselors at local colleges, or visit the colleges websites, you can email for info from there too. Good luck in whatever you do! :-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-28-2004
Mon, 10-31-2005 - 11:10am

There is just so many things to choose from! Good grief! I think I will browse at some of the online colleges. Maybe something will hit me. Anyone with experience with online degrees? They seem a little shady to me, but who am I to talk! I know absolutely nothing about them. I have read that information technology is suppose to be a booming field but I'm not sure what that is!! I've thought about expanding my current position as a legal secretary into paralegal or maybe even an attorney, but I feel like I want something a little more calm.

When friends ask what I would do when something happens to my boss, I always joke around and tell them I'm eyeing the Wal-Mart greeter jobs. The only responsibility they have is smiling and putting a sticker on a kid's hand! LOL

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2005
Tue, 11-01-2005 - 3:37am

This is a question. When I graduated from high school 13 yrs ago, I was on my way to college to get a degree in Travel/Tourism. I wanted to work on a cruise ship and see the world. I dropped out 3 months before graduation due to personal reasons. Then I got married a year later. I tried to go back to finish the Travel/Tourism degree but my husband then wouldn't allow it. After two years of marriage I again tried to go back to college this time I wanted to go and get my teaching license so I could teach History. Again I was vetoed by the husband. After 7 years of living miserable in a marriage I got a divorce and decided to go back college. I wanted to make a better life for my daughter.
After being out of school for 10 years it was hard going back to school and getting in the swing of doing homework.
As for what I wanted to be when I grow up I didn't realize that until I was 28. I decided to try and get my nursing degree. At first I wanted to be a midwife but that changed. Along with getting my general studies done so I could get into a nursing program I took and EMT course through our local fire dept. While taking that I joined the fire dept as a firefighter. The response I got from the guys was "It's about time." You see my dad is the ex fire chief and my oldest brother is now fire chief. After having my EMT cert for two years I finally got a job working as an EMT in the Emergency room at a local hospital and I finally love my job. As for nursing I have decided to finish that. My goal is to work in a trauma center as a nurse and one day hopefully before I get too old become a flight nurse and work on the helicopter.
I never thought 13 yrs ago I would be trying to pursue a career as a trauma nurse. Let alone be a firefighter/emt. But I have come to realize this is my calling and this is where I need to be. My daughter is happy that her mommy is a firefighter/emt. She is like I was excited when that pager goes off for a call and the rush of getting to the fire station. Maybe she'll follow in my foot step for a little bit while she's trying to pursue her career as a singer. That's her dream for when she grows up.

So, for those of you who are thinking about going back to school and making a career change. Go for it. I know it's scary cause we get comfortable in what we are doing but don't continue doing something if your not truly happy. Do you want to continue through life thinking about all the 'what if's'? Good luck to you all and have pride in yourself.
And it will be difficult going back to school, working and trying to raise the kids but it will be worth it. My inspiration for going back is my sister-in-law. She worked full time as an EMT, raised 3 kids, plus put up w/ my brother who was gone due to work or the firehouse and during all this went to paramedic full time. She finished at the top of her class.

Remember Life's too short live it too the fullest.