Changing your career?

[Bridgette]

Sometimes I think that what we've all been through definitely makes us sit back and think about what is really important to us.

I am an early childhood teacher - but I don't think I want to spend the rest of my working life doing this....my partner can't understand what I mean and says, "Why would you want to waste all the training you did?".

I just think that this op and all the complications I had has made me realise that life really is too short - it would be nice to have a complete change and do something different for a while even if it meant taking a cut in wages.
Money's not everything, anyway.

Has anyone else had thoughts like this?

Bridgette

 

[Dina]

Yes. I have been thinking that I haven't worked as a nurse in a few years,
and I don't even know if I am physically able to handle all of the long hours
and demands. But,do I really want to go back to school again?
I was considering staying in the same area,so I could use my credits,
and this way I could change careers and only have to put in a couple
semesters. But still...school again. The only others skills I have are in
public relations,and never have you seen such a mismatch of a person
with a career.
It is exciting to think about though. I have been contemplating laboratory
work-microbiology was my favorite class.
What career are you considering?
Dina

 

[Guest]

Has anyone else had thoughts like this?

*nods emphatically*

Oh my goodness ... YES!

I would absolutely LOVE to find a way to make money traveling and documenting the travels and the sites and the people along the way. But, alas, I can't ... because I have to be in a job that offers group health insurance. The sort of gigue I want to do ... wouldn't be conducive to that.

I love my job right now ... enjoy the work (well, for the most part anyway) and really enjoy my coworkers. Only drawback...the damn commute, which is ironic, since I love to drive. I just hate traffic.

*sighs*



Cort | 35swm | "Mr Monte Carlo"."Mr Road Trip" | pig valve.pacemaker ... & I approve this post
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You better not try to stand in my way" ... J Paycheck ... 'Take This Job & Shove It'

 

[terodac]

I feel you! I was a accountant until my surgery. I think don't think the same about things anymore. I appreciate and love the simple things in life. I was at a high stress job when I found out about my heart problem. Also, loved my co workers and do miss them! But we do lunch sometimes. Needless to say I am no longer there and will never go back to that kind of job again all that damn stress not worth my life! NO Thanks! I even had disability insurance through work, but also put up a big fight to get it. Just unreal! why offer it if they don't want to pay. Been almost two years now thinking and praying about what I would like to do. I want to help people somehow! Strange isn't it how things change? Good Luck! Follow your heart!

 

[zipper2]

OOOOHHHHHHHH yes makes me tired to think about it Bridgette

and you'll laugh at me in my changes of work. Not gonna make it long

so i worked with mental Health and did my schooling for for social

rec @ life skills coordinater and it was a hard job,specially when i got sick

with first AHS in 92 whatever year,so much time flying through my head

and my hubby worked with rail companys so we were always moving,after

18 years he took his buyout and pension from railroad and again we moved.

i stayed in 94 to continue superviser position till 2001 we moved again

to here now and i was so tired of it and so exhausted and my hubby had

took 2 years prior a welding course where hes supervisor today at.

I was like you wanted a change so omg you know what i did i went to clean

i luv cleaning (NO PAY IN THAT LOL) but i luv doing it office buildings and i

at the police station one day to do some carpet stains and immediately they

hired me in cell block with prisioners,I luv it pays not as much as M.H. of

course not,we dont care but i needed the change from 83 i started with m.h.

till 2001 i was due for change cus i don't even miss it one bit. Id like to go

back to school for alot of things..........BuT not good timing for me and i do

miss the cleaning it was the best work out from desk jobs. Mind u as sick with needing my surgery i couldnot clean right now.

Wish you the best with this Bridgette in this.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[Bridgette]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for your replies guys!

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one feeling this way...

Early childhood teaching is physically and mentally draining - and in today's society all the behavioural issues to deal with too

There is a job advertised at our local hospital as a Booking Adminstrator - it involves booking patients into surgeries, clinics, procedures etc - liasing with the GP's and specialists - a lot of it is routine clerical stuff - it would be nice to have a less stressful job for a change and I can empathise with people facing medical procedures, boy can we empathise with that!!

It would probably be a lot less money but like I said before I think that is not the most important thing...

Think I'm going to apply

Cheers
Bridgette

 

[Duff Man]

I actually decided to procreate after I found out about my aneurysm. Much like you, I had an epiphany and realized life is way too short. If we waited for the perfect time, we'd never do it. My career change was forced, but that's a different story.

 

[Eva]

Bridgette,

I agree with you totally--after the surgey, I am a new person with a new lease on life granted to me by my Heavenly Father to fulfill certain mission He has for me. I am not the same as before surgery...my sister once tried to calm me: "you will be normal after a few months". My answer no, I shall be fine again, but not normal!! noraml to me is not mechanical valves to tick and replace the 'normal' valves to keep me alive. I am not normal, as I am much more grateful to my God than anyother time of my life. May He open my heart and eyes to the new mission He has for me. [there won't be any salary---may be out-of-my pocket expenses].

This is my personal feeling and I will let you know what it will be when HE makes it clearer to me. I have an idea, but I want to be sure.

So again, I agree with you. Blessings,

 

[netmiff]

I think a lot of us go through that kind of thinking. I have never been big on the trappings of "success", my life philosophy being that if you have a roof over your head and food on the table, the rest is gravy. Have had mental health issues most of my life (not diagnosed though until I was about 35) and am on meds for life for depression, so I learnt eons ago to slow down and smell lots of roses . You wouldn't want to see my resume, I have done a bit of everything!

Dina, I did microbiology, was a technician at a large teaching hospital in Scotland for 2 years. I think an ideal career move for you would be into ANTI-COAGULATION !

Bridgette, if you apply, good luck ! You can always apply and if you get the job, change your mind - I always thought that interviews were two-way exchanges anyway, as much for you to see if the job and the organization was a good fit for you as the other way round.

 

[debster913]

Bridgette--

I wish you the best as you venture into a new career!

I've been a high school English teacher for eight years, and I've gone through the highs and lows that accompany my job: the stress of teaching five classes a day, the stress of dealing with parents/whiny 15-year-olds who "don't get it," the stess of spending every night and weekend September through June grading and lesson planning--and if I choose to give myself a break on the occasional weekend/Saturday/weekday evening, I feel guilty. But at the same time, there's been a lot of joy: having former students come back to tell me I made a difference in their lives, getting thank you notes from parents and students, and feeling appreciated (not always, but it's there).

I struggled with the idea of going back to my job after valve surgery--I even gave up advising the school newspaper because I knew I wouldn't be able to handle all the stress of staying with the kids until 10 PM during deadline weeks after returning to work--but when one of my girlfriends who's also a teacher in my department presented me with a yearbook signed by my students, and after I read all the positive encouragement from them--I realized that this is what God created me for--to be a teacher.

It hasn't been easy since surgery, I'll tell you. It's still mega-stressful and after I get off VR, it's back to grading and putting grades in for the quarter report cards, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'd love a slower-paced job at times, but I know I'd miss those squirrely sophomores!

My cardio even told me recently that "there are plenty of other jobs out there...I don't want you to kill yourself teaching," but I really do love what I do. Maybe down the line I'll change my mind, but for now, that's where it's at for me.

The only thing that stresses me more than my daily job is knowing that my state governor wants to further cut education to alleviate our budget crisis in California. If that's the case, it will be a catastrophe for many school districts.

My only advice to you is to follow what feels best for you.

Love,
Debi (debster913)

 

[JimL]

My wife Shirley went back to school. She left dental hygiene to take up library, and got her MiLS earlier this year. She's still job hunting. Now, if she can get a good enough job, I'd like a career change, from working to not working. It's still in the planning stages.

 

[Ross]

... & I approve this post[/b]
WRMNshowcase.legos.HO.models.MCs.RTs.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"You better not try to stand in my way" ... J Paycheck ... 'Take This Job & Shove It'

Somehow I doubt that it's the traffic. I think it's the time enroute and so forth that drives your insane.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Bridget -

Have you heard the expression that
"It's easier to find a job when you have a job"?

The point is that you would be wise NOT to leave your present job until you have another job lined up. This may take some time, especially if you decide to make a Career Change.

Before turning in your notice, take some time to explore other options, what you would need to do to become qualified for positions that interest you, and then decide on a course of action.

Finding a New Job (of any kind) is becoming harder and harder in this country and is probably spreading to other parts of the world as well.

Best Wishes!

 

[Bridgette]

No I definitely would not leave my present job till I had another one lined up
Times are tough over here too - although we both work my partner and I don't really save any money and it's not because we are extravagant or anything, it's because the cost of living has just risen so much. Petrol, food, mortgage, bills...by the time those are paid there's not much left
I know there's a lot of people worse off though, so I'm grateful for what we do have.

Thanks so much for all the replies - it's great to read everyone's experiences and thoughts on career change.

Cheers
Bridgette

 

[Guest]

Somehow I doubt that it's the traffic. I think it's the time enroute and so forth that drives your insane.

LOL!

OK, well, yes, that, too ... the time back'n'forth to/from work....

BUT ... the traffic is still on the table ... especially when people attempt to re-design my car for me.....if you know what I mean .

 

[khawkk]

hmmm!
I left my good paying high stress job.
I make less money.
I work less hours.
I play more golf

results:
I'm a better golfer
I'm happier...but
I lost my house
my wife left me
my cat left me and
my dog p'd in my shoe

weigh the results.

caution:
some of the above may have been exaggerated for best reading results.
my cat didn't really leave me.

 

[ponygirlmom]

Yes, I have a new job now. And don't let anyone tell you that you have "wasted your training." Everything that you have ever studied, done or experienced contributes to the person that you are now. The skills you used for teaching will be useful in other jobs.

 

[lcwhitney]

If you further your edication with a master's degree or even a PHD YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE A PAY CUT. tHERE ARE COURSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ON LINE FORGRAD STUDENTS i HAVE A FRIEND THAT IS WORKING ON HER PHD this way .


Lettitia