Anyone successfully changed careers?

[wedse]

How do you start?

I'm in a senior professional role but it doesn't fulfil me..

I want to try something else. I have time to dip my toe in the water as I work part time

Any experiences/ recommendations

[wedse]

Anyone?

[fessmess]

I am in the middle of doing so. It's been hard but life's too short to be miserable. Good luck

[Havebrainneednewjob]

Just about to start. What are you going from and to?

[MaidofKent78]

I've jumped around industries a lot, but always as an analyst/statistician (we don't talk about the unmitigated disaster that was teaching......).

I have a set of core skills that are highly desirable and easily transferable. Would that work for you? What are your core skills? Could you use them within another sector?

[allthegoodusernameshavegone]

I left a well paid career for a low paid job. So I could actually live a stress free life working 37.5 hours a week instead of 70 hours and being permanently available. Best move I’ve ever made, I love my job and my new found life

[Brot64]

I did. Although depends on the industry. Was a lawyer and had invested half my life by then to get there and enjoyed it. However, had DC's before making partner (and I was very close) and knew I wouldn't make partner after that (American Firm, the politics differ from English firms). Did an MBA whilst still working and with DC aside from the last 3 months and successfully switched to finance.

In reality it was jumping from a frying pan into the fire (in relation to working hours and commitment which is okay with me as I cannot function under zero or no pressure) but I have progressed faster and higher within the ladder than I ever would have in law. So no regrets!

[Yeahyeahyeahyeeeeah]

I did. I was UK GM of a European manufacturer and retrained as a Chartered IFA. Love it. 16 professional exams were hard going but interesting.

[Yeahyeahyeahyeeeeah]

I studied 7-9pm 4 nights a week for 5 years.

[MeltdownMaiden]

In same-ish situation as you OP, wouldnt call myself senior, no advice but empathy and following with interest.

For me its been 15 years of dissatisfaction. A bad fit right from the start and several pivots (some not so good). Currently well paid (but plateaued), decent 40 hour week, flexibility to WFH & go in late so i a) feel guilty as am v lucky b) loathe to risk it to start anew with no visibility if and when i will get back to this earning level. Another 14 years to go till youngest in uni/work.

what did people go from and to?

Even if i could bear to invest in cost of further study, i get home 730pm (tis London unfortunately) eat at nearly 9 after story/bedtime.. collapse or unwind. Weekends are full on. Its a train i cant stop.

[Yeahyeahyeahyeeeeah]

Its a train i cant stop.

I think a lot of people are on that train too.

I used my maternity leave to do big lumps of study, but in reality I was lucky that, with very tight budgeting, I could go from well paid (75k 15 years ago) to a junior role on 14.4k, part time, studying in the evenings. I now earn over 100k working school hours with 7/8 weeks holiday. It’s been worth it.

I would highly recommend the career choice as flexible and rewarding. I love my work. I’ve been lucky that people have helped me train and been very flexible for me.

[wedse]

Thanks for replies

Are there any books/ courses/ websites to read/ you would recommend to get started. I have lots of skills but how do I find out what it is I really want to do?

[Yeahyeahyeahyeeeeah]

Why not spend on a careers adviser?

[MeltdownMaiden]

Yeahyeahyeah, how did you land on IFA from manufacturing? Was there a catalyst?
Its not something i want to do (i want to get out of finance!) but i think its well impressive what you've done to get there. Where did you find a decent career adviser?

[SalrycLuxx]

I haven’t done it yet, but I’m hoping I switch to teaching in about 6 years time. Need to stay where I am for a while to get my savings up first though.

[Yeahyeahyeahyeeeeah]

how did you land on IFA from manufacturing? Was there a catalyst?

Without wanting to sound too dull, I was talking about pensions and investments to someone at a party. He said - you should be an IFA, which sort of ignited an idea. Once I looked at it in more detail, I realised it was perfect. People, money, planning, pedagogical, flexible, factual, all my things.

I’d love to say it was a fab careers coach, but it was pure luck to speak to someone that happened to be an IFA and made that suggestion.

[Pointof0return]

Reading this with fascination. As my new username suggests, after months/ years of wrangling I've realised I need to walk away from current career I've spent 14 years building (senior leader in large city comprehensive school). I'm burnt out. But also main breadwinner with big mortgage and dd in nursery.

I feel so relived now I've made my decision to leave. But I've no job to go to, yet. At this point I am planning to hand my notice in by Oct 31st which would mean leaving at Christmas. My mental health can't take the prospect of being there any longer. But wow feeling the pressure to get a job lined up for January!

Thank you for the inspiration here and the encouragement to be brave and make the break.

[JorisBonson]

I worked in media for 11 years. Very well known and respected in my industry, made a shit ton of cash (which I didn't save , went to weird and wonderful places and had a very nice life.

5 years ago I jacked it in and became a police officer. I'm still not anywhere near my old salary but I don't despair at having to go to work each day.

[anotherypasswordtoremember]

oh man... it's the WORST. I've been trying to get a new job for over a year.

My job is making me so unhappy, I'm being bullied by my boss, I've developed serious anxiety, panic attacks, depression, self harm thoughts and just want another job.

I've been going for jobs on a lower salary recently, as higher salary wasn't working out, and I can't even get an interview.
I'm 33 and have a management position as well as an undergraduate and post graduate degree. I have loads of really good experience and I live in a big city that theoretically can offer me lost of options. I've had help from friends with my CV (friends that don't have issues getting jobs when they want them so they must be good at it!).

I can't help but think it's because I'm child bearing age. They can guess my age from the year I graduated.

I was meant to hear back today about one, that I had a phone interview with a recruiter about on Wednesday, and I've not heard a peep. I don't even know what to do, I don't even get a chance.

I wish you all the best of luck with changing careers, but I'm finding this so incredibly hard myself. I've just had a miscarriage and I feel so worthless.

[Pointof0return]

@anotherypasswordtoremember

Sorry to hear you are having such a horrible time. Have you considered taking some time off? I am certain your GP would sign you off for a few weeks considering how you feel plus miscarriage. So sorry for your loss.