[Misc] Mid-lift career change - anyone done it?

[vegster]

A pal of mine joined a company as an assistant Pile Cream tester, he's still there 40 years later..............…............................ He likes to say " I started at the bottom, and stayed there".

 

[swindonseagull]

Was in the RAF as an Aircraft Engineer for 30 years, changed tack after 15 years and started flying, when I left I went back to the Aircraft Engineering world albeit in management but got bored with it very quickly....Put my CV out and got headhunted now for the last 8 years since the age of 52 I have done Crane/Lift/Escalator inspections for HSE and Insurance companies.
Very happy with life..

 

[vegster]

Hello. Wondering if anyone has experiences they can share of changing careers.
I've been a project manager for the last 20 years and am now heartily sick of it. I can no longer generate any level of interest in either the process or end result of the projects I'm working on. I recently moved to a new job in a different technology hoping that would pep me up but it hasn't.
The prospect of another 20 years in this type of role drives me to despair but I don't really know how feasible it is to change at this point in my life. I don't have any alternative career path that exccites me. I would like to study more and am planning on starting a part-time MA but that isn't likely to set me on a new path.

I'd be interested to know what others have done in similar situations. Anyone made the change? If so, what was the result? Anyone stuck with a job they hated and it got better?

Thanks!

My advice would be to change your life while you are young enough to make it work and count. I drifted in to a particular job and stuck with it because I was good at it, I didn't take the job home with me and the money wasn't too bad either. I had this stupid idea that if I worked hard and kept my nose clean and always did the extra things that they wanted I would always have a job and be well paid.... However, different companies dumped their manufacturing on site one by one and I'm literally in the position where I'm lucky to have a job. My wage has stagnated and fallen in real terms to the extent that I have had one 3% rise in the last 5 years... I recently applied for a job with Govia as a Gateperson checking tickets and helping passengers, if I had got the job I would have had a £3K annual increase on my current salary.

Unless you are a Buddhist, you get one shot at life, don't die wondering if you are stuck in a shit job, don't hope that you can plug on if you are unhappy, and finally, don't be like me and leave it too late to realise this. Good luck!

 

[mashman156]

I left University on 2007 and to repay student debt got a job in retail. I intended to leave after a year but got promoted several times to be a Regional Manager. I held that role until 2018.

In late 2017 I decided to pursue the career dream in had since being young and applied to train as an Air Traffic Controller. I had to take a 30k a year pay cut while training and it was tough balancing wife and kids with the intense training courses for 9 months.

Now 2 years since I joined NATS I am a fully validated Tower Controller, earn close to the salary I was on before, with a clear scale to reach higher earnings.

The best thing about the choice...i go to work, love what I do and come home on time every day, no thinking about work, no one calling me to tell me of issues. My job starts and ends at the time it is supposed to.

I would say from my experience if you have a passion for something, and an ambition to change path, to go for it and not look back. Your past experience will only serve you well and you'll find transferable skills youd never thought were relevant

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

What a varied CV and working life! Your last comment about really enjoying life ..... is everything.

Don’t get wrong the salary is good (way above the average) but not compared to the level of management in other industries. There’s load of stress, travelling,staying in nice hotels (poor me) and good perks. The benefits are great, private health, beer, great piss ups, beer, good bonus and beer.

But what’s not to like. Did I mention the beer?

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Was in the RAF as an Aircraft Engineer for 30 years, changed tack after 15 years and started flying, when I left I went back to the Aircraft Engineering world albeit in management but got bored with it very quickly....Put my CV out and got headhunted now for the last 8 years since the age of 52 I have done Crane/Lift/Escalator inspections for HSE and Insurance companies.
Very happy with life..

Yes the aircraft maintenance scene definitely changed, so glad I left especially the management side. Ended up a voice piece for the idiots above.

 

[gripper stebson]

I always worked in print until I was in my mid to late thirties when I got the chance to write a movie script of all things. I gave up having a 'normal' job then and have tried to ply my trade creating, writing and designing the occasional website.

We are ALWAYS skint but I wouldn't change it for the world.

 

[Weststander]

Don’t get wrong the salary is good (way above the average) but not compared to the level of management in other industries. There’s load of stress, travelling,staying in nice hotels (poor me) and good perks. The benefits are great, private health, beer, great piss ups, beer, good bonus and beer.

But what’s not to like. Did I mention the beer?

I’m a lager, not an ale bloke. Is Asahi Super Dry the business? I’ve never tried it.

 

[Mr Putdown]

Licensed Aircraft Engineer for 18 years took redundancy (great package as was in management)

Spent a year off doubling the size of our house

Bought a pub, then another and so on having 4 in total.

Had to sell up to be a carer for my wife, until my daughter took on the role

Left field decision bought an Antique business with a friend, loved it, it was ok financially but very unpredictable

Answered an advert to become a beer technician for Molson Coors. Within a year I became the Lead Tech for Sussex and Kent. Started doing loads of courses on the industry and brewing etc.

Appointed a Beer Quality Manager with Asahi, absolutely love it. Get to talk beer all day. From seminars to visiting outlets, advising, testing, TASTING, brewing and supporting sales, a very varied role and effectively my own boss. I look after all the south of England and Wales plus London (Boooooooooooo) at times.

Qualified Circerone and Brewer also develop new dispense systems for outlets.

I suppose at 52 I've swapped around a fair bit but the basis has been engineering along with interesting subjects. Done well at school then, HND in aeronautics, Aircraft Licenses, Nebosh Diploma, Degree in Business Management, Brewery Technician qualification, Cicerone, Brewing diploma, Audit qualifications and Cellar Management (I run the training for the company!).

I still enjoy learning and apart from winging it in Antiques (easy really) It's that, that's allowed me to change direction.

I don't earn fortunes despite being in senior management (typical for breweries) but really enjoy life now, can't see me changing unless the pubs never open again!

Wow, there’s me thinking I’ve got a varied career.

Left school at 18 with reasonable grades and was offered a place at Oxford, having past the admissions test but decided to go straight into working. (Unlike my elder brother who succumbed to the lure of Balliol) I went for a graduate post with the UKAEA, clearly stating I didn’t have a degree yet I got the job.

I then enjoyed 10 years in the nuclear industry, including extended secondments to Happy Valley, Whitehall & AWRE, ending up specialising in secure communication.

Moved into the commercial world at 28 and unsurprisingly tripled my salary overnight. Moved from comm’s & into mainstream IT for a FTSE 100 company & ended up as Group IT Director worldwide.

Retired at 41 and tried to enjoy life. Did all the usual shit as you would, but everyday life was basically boring.

About four years on I bought a retail business and then acquired the associated assets which underpinned the former. For about ten years it was a blast, now I work harder than I’ve ever done for bugger all profit.

Just do it, don’t regret it.

 

[Weststander]

Wow, there’s me thinking I’ve got a varied career.

Hi. Have you been able to reopen your business yet?

 

[DJ NOBO]

I also think that if I'd asked a couple of years later, it may have been easier. They were so short of maths teachers by then that the criteria were relaxed. I was also enquiring before the days of student loans and it would have been harder to fund it. I was living with the former Mrs Gwylan who had given up her job for a career change (but she had a millionaire dad who funded it). It was just bad timing.

Millionaire Father in law. Blessing or a curse?

 

[HalfaSeatOn]

Threw in a well paid IT job at 50 on some notion that I wanted my 50's to have variety and be exciting. Dreaded the monotonous wind down to retirement. Half way through; moved locations, tried different jobs, developed properties, set up own business and just moved in to a business, non-IT related career. A lot less money but tons happier. No regrets. Life's too short.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I guess the first question is do you have any thoughts as to what you might want to do? If so, think about your PM experience and how transferable the skills are to that job or any projects in that field that you can use as an example.

Next up, do you have a feel for the salary difference between what you are doing and the likely starting salary of the new career and if so, can you afford the difference while you build up your skills and experience?

I have stepped backwards and sideways over the years in different roles and sometimes that has reduced my salary but I cut my cloth accordingly and it was worked out fine in the long run.

Of course, one thing to consider is that this is not a great time to be finding a new job with so many people being laid off at the moment. It might be worthwhile using this time to get some online qualification that is relevant and also to give yourself the financial cushion to change tack once things have settled down.

Good luck!

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

I’m a lager, not an ale bloke. Is Asahi Super Dry the business? I’ve never tried it.

I’m an ale man. Asahi profile is a crisp dry taste with a sharp finish. High co2 content should be poured with a two pour tap giving a head which adds a slight sweetness on the lips and retains the co2 in solution. It uses rice and this gives it the dryness.

We own a shed load of other breweries including Fuller’s and Dark Star, ESB or Pilsner Urquell being my favourites.

My answer to your question is somewhat tongue in cheek. I know how and why it is what it is, and what is wrong when the taste is poor, doesn’t mean I drink it!

 

[Gwylan]

Millionaire Father in law. Blessing or a curse?

He didn't like me much so it was definitely a curse. My current FIL is certainly no millionaire but he's a diamond geezer

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Hello. Wondering if anyone has experiences they can share of changing careers.
I've been a project manager for the last 20 years and am now heartily sick of it. I can no longer generate any level of interest in either the process or end result of the projects I'm working on. I recently moved to a new job in a different technology hoping that would pep me up but it hasn't.
The prospect of another 20 years in this type of role drives me to despair but I don't really know how feasible it is to change at this point in my life. I don't have any alternative career path that exccites me. I would like to study more and am planning on starting a part-time MA but that isn't likely to set me on a new path.

I'd be interested to know what others have done in similar situations. Anyone made the change? If so, what was the result? Anyone stuck with a job they hated and it got better?

Thanks!

Aside from two years immediately after graduation working at the CAA for NATS, I have been in the same sector all my career. I’ve carried out my work as a permanent member of staff and as a freelancer, but mainly as a freelancer. In theory the role is the same, but the actual difference between permanency and freelancing is, imho, immense. I felt the permanent roll was laden with career and personal development stuff and all the work was increasingly similar, broader and for me...more detached; this didn’t interest me and I felt I drifted. Freelancing is different, I get to do all manner of stuff; the work always seems more focused, often shorter-term, and is basically whatever the client needs help with. And this can be hands-on work to leadership roles...well, my last position offered this. I have just moved to a new client so I’m not totally sure what the future holds but I always look to involve myself in different things so I’m sure I’ll be fine. Also, at the end of every contract I can reappraise and move on with no problems or hard feeling. They can also “reappraise” me of course; which helps keep me focussed. I also took the decision to stop commuting about 15 years ago, as it was quite literally a waste of my time. My client at the time wouldn’t let me work from home so I left and found a client which did. This felt easy because I felt free and in control and able to leave easily as my deal was up; I didn’t have a 3 month notice period or anything else like shares or pensions etc tying me to the job. It helps that I have a reasonably broad experience of the job I do, but then you seem to as well.

My point is, maybe the same role, but under different circumstances, might be a better fit for you? It seems a shame to waste all those years and that experience...maybe put it to work in a different way and you will feel differently?

 

[DJ NOBO]

He didn't like me much so it was definitely a curse. My current FIL is certainly no millionaire but he's a diamond geezer

Pleased to hear it.
I only ask As I have a friend Whose fil is very Rich.
They get hand outs and love to flash the wealth.
I’ve noticed it’s a double-edged so word though, as his in-laws seem to have a lot of control, and I wonder if his fil respects him
For taking those hand outs.

 

[DJ NOBO]

Hello. Wondering if anyone has experiences they can share of changing careers.
I've been a project manager for the last 20 years and am now heartily sick of it. I can no longer generate any level of interest in either the process or end result of the projects I'm working on. I recently moved to a new job in a different technology hoping that would pep me up but it hasn't.
The prospect of another 20 years in this type of role drives me to despair but I don't really know how feasible it is to change at this point in my life. I don't have any alternative career path that exccites me. I would like to study more and am planning on starting a part-time MA but that isn't likely to set me on a new path.

I'd be interested to know what others have done in similar situations. Anyone made the change? If so, what was the result? Anyone stuck with a job they hated and it got better?

Thanks!

It’s only worth taking on a Mid life career overhaul if -
1 . You have a burning desire Or vocation to do a certain job. be a train driver , for example. You say you haven’t Though.
2. You have a plan to do something else that, all being well, will put you in an unquestionably better position once you’ve done the training and got necessary experience Etc. You don’t seem to be at this point yet.
3. You can Financially afford to take a massive gamble. A viable option for the 0.1% only.

Take heart in that If you truly hated your job, this wouldn’t be a decision. You’d have found something else by now.
You must like some of the benefits that come with your job, whatever they maybe. Can you pick out what they are and Consciously make more of them?

I’m not saying don’t do it. There are some inspiring stories of how a career change can work on this thread alone.
But with a recession on the way, the last Thing you want to do is replace one set of problems with another.

 

[The Optimist]

I was 30 when I quit teaching and did a Masters in mechanical engineering. Through luck with an opportunity to get a foot in the door I ended becoming a Fire Engineer. In the end at the first company I was at I ended working far too long hours for not particularly good pay. I did my research and found a small company with a really good ethos, which among others things is committed to providing a good work life balance. The work is good but it’s being at the right company which really makes The difference.

 

[8049]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the time taken to reply (and I enjoyed the lift puns - hard to believe that I started out in publishing and had to proofread books!).

Your stories, views and suggestions have helped me get a better perspective on things. I'm drafting a note to my boss outlining my current concerns, the causes of them and potential solutions. That will either help make my current role more interesting or will prove I'm better off somewhere else.

I do have a longer-term ambition which could spin off from additional study so I'll be signing up for a part-time on-line MA course which will hopefully set me on a new path eventually and, if not, at least provide some mental stimulation.

So, tempting as it is to jack it all in, this approach will hopefully allow me to change without pushing me into penury!

Thanks again everyone!