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Original poster

Career change at 25 with pay cut… wwyd?

28 replies

Veja · 06/09/2022 21:02

Graduated in 2021 and currently work in Marketing for an old fashioned financial services company, based in the North East. No passion for marketing, was simply the first job offer after uni.

Started on 26k but 1 year later after hitting my targets I’ve fortunately been offered a new salary of 34k. It may not be a lot to some but as a neurodivergent woman living up north, I feel comfortable with that salary. (I’m not a high earner but don’t have to worry about money).

However, one thing I don’t like about my marketing department is the work politics and I find it harder to understand how to excel in this career field. (People don’t get internally promoted very often here and within Marketing it’s more of a popularity contest rather than meritocracy)

Recently in my role I was able to support a project which involved some UAT testing which I really enjoyed. Working alongside stakeholders from digital and dev teams, and I much prefer their ways of working (seemed especially more suited to me as I’m not the most confident socially). I may be naive but seems to be less work politics involved within technical roles, and promotions are more fairly offered to skilled individuals

This project inspired me to apply for new role as a IT test analyst (despite having no technical background). Somehow I managed to get job offer and it’s with a very large well known bank, but based in London. The pay is only 33k so a pay cut, plus rent will be slightly more expensive.

would I be crazy to accept the new job role with the pay cut? (London will be more expensive than living up North too) Although my parents have very kindly offered to pay 20% towards my monthly rent in the first year to make things more manageable.

I also wonder if it will get harder to transition from a marketing role to a IT/technical role the older I get. (I currently have no dependents)

OP posts:
abyssofwoah · 06/09/2022 21:06

Go for it! At 25 with no dependents the most important thing is developing a career that you can imagine still enjoying years down the line. Sounds like a good move to me and I would think that your earning potential in the long term would be better in IT, but someone with more knowledge about those fields may know better.

mindutopia · 06/09/2022 21:17

Absolutely do it. You’re so young. Most people at 25 have no idea what they want to do yet. I didn’t probably start my ‘career’ until I was about 34. Dh has a degree in marketing and made a complete change at around 25 (also when we had a small baby) and he’s never looked back (makes about 6x his previous salary now in his new field). Very few people are doing in their 40s and 50s what they started out doing in their 20s, so sounds like you are being really sensible. Dh and I earn well now but neither of us were on anything close to 33k at 25! Sounds like you are doing amazing.

alwaysmovingforwards · 06/09/2022 21:22

Personally I'd chase the money for a couple of years.

At 30 you're still well placed for a career change.

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Dotcheck · 06/09/2022 21:25

Do it. Tons of opportunity in IT Analytics

PhillySub · 06/09/2022 21:25

You have placed a lot of significance on the loss of £1k. Are you looking for an excuse not to go?

Gettingbythanks · 06/09/2022 21:30

@Veja What is your instinct (gut feeling) leaning towards?

WhizzFizz · 06/09/2022 21:32

The cost of living will be significantly more but ultimately it will be a career with huge potential. Your parents will help cushion the cost so go for it.
My DS2 is 24 and, like you jumped into the first career he could but isn't enjoying it. He earns about £33k and it's difficult to give that up but if you can't start a new career in your early 20s with no ties then when can you.
I've offered to help him if he finds something he wants to do.

Mumstheword2022 · 06/09/2022 21:35

Do it! My son resigned from his financial services job, the one he went into as a graduate trainee with great excitement and positivity and BIG wage for his age to retrain as a teacher.

don’t get me started - I’m a teacher and This is the last thing I wanted for him, but anyhow…

he not only had a reduced wage but none. Another student loan, no bursary , and very tough year in training, but started new teaching role this week and - so far- very happy.

whether he does it forever is another thing but , starting at the bottom again at 25, has job satisfaction by the bucket load and career progression opportunities if he wants to go that way …

you should definitely do this. Life is too short and you won’t regret choosing job satisfaction Over wages

PP are spot on.

good luck!

Leafy3 · 06/09/2022 21:35

Gut instinct is everything here but in your shoes I'd go for it.

If a pay cut is the only thing deterring you then its only going to get harder to make a transition later.

carefullycourageous · 06/09/2022 21:37

In my 20s I moved career to something I really wanted to do and have never regretted it. I advise my children to prioritise their preferences over money, so long as what they want to do is not ruinous/dead end, so I advise you to do the same.

NoSquirrels · 06/09/2022 21:37

Oh mate. You’re 25, it’s a £1K pay cut and your parents will help you out to change to a career path you’re sure you’ll enjoy more.

There is no better time.

VerbenaGirl · 06/09/2022 21:38

No! Do it.

ZenNudist · 06/09/2022 21:41

Go for it! It's not a big pay cut and the career prospects are good especially in London, as well as job satisfaction. 25 is young!

Stickmansmum · 06/09/2022 21:42

It sounds like a far more suitable job for you and your personality. I started in Advertising (10 yrs) and have ended up in Technology product management. You will make A LOT more money in IT/tech. I promise you. I also think it is interesting, demanding, fast paced, dynamic, hard core in a way marketing is just not.

seriously go for it!

Kawaii50 · 06/09/2022 21:49

Sounds like a great move. I think the big banks tend to offer training and international travel/moves too so career prospects excellent all round. Banks should also be a good place to meet new people which is fun when you've moved cities.

newroundhere · 06/09/2022 22:06

Do it. It will never be easier than it is now to take the plunge.

Houseplantmad · 06/09/2022 22:17

Please do it. I moved from a high paid role to a job I really wanted to do but at half the salary at the same age and it was the best decision. A new door is opening for you and it will lead to good things in the future, I’m sure. Good luck!

BanningTheWordNaice · 06/09/2022 22:24

Make sure you can find somewhere to rent in London before you move. In March-April this year, 1 beds in places like Greenwich were £1,295 they’re now going on the market for that but only being rented out to people offering £3-400 more with 50+ viewings and offering a few months in advance. I’ve never seen the rental market how it is right now.

Rainallnight · 06/09/2022 22:27

I would go for it. I resigned from a sensible grad job at 24 to move to London to do something more exciting. It wasn’t without its tough moments but overall it was a fantastic move.

Life will be a lot more expensive than in the NE but your parents are giving you a fantastic cushion and presumably there’s room for salary growth as time goes by.

good luck!

Original poster
Veja · 06/09/2022 22:29

Thank you all for your comments, it’s much appreciated.

I don’t have any family/friends who work as IT testers so I guess it was the fear of the unknown as I’m not sure of the typical progression, whether testing is a secure career path etc.
Worst case scenario, I’d like to think doing this role will then potentially open the door to other technical roles (e.g., IT business analyst)

I don’t enjoy working in Marketing but at least I understand job ad descriptions whereas reading some IT testing roles is a bit confusing to a non technical person haha. So many acronyms!

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 06/09/2022 22:37

Absolutely go for it. Much easier to move around when you’re young

Doveyouknow · 06/09/2022 22:37

You are 25 - you will probably be working for the next 40 odd years. It’s worth trying to find a job you enjoy!

Echobelly · 06/09/2022 22:40

I think you're in a great position to absorb the pay cut/ increased cost for what sounds like a good prospect. This is exactly the sort of thing you can and should do while young and unencumbered.

WaveyHair · 06/09/2022 22:41

Now is the time to do it. There is a huge demand for these skills so once you build up experience your salary will grow.

To really make enhance your career prospects there are loads of online training courses and certification exams to consider which you can look at later.

MsMcGonagall · 06/09/2022 22:48

From 34K to 33K is barely a pay cut. And it doesn't sound like you really like marketing. IT is always going to have work, plus also so much chance for progression. Once you're in the job take every opportunity for training so you can progress in IT.

Cost of living in London will be more but I still think it will be well worth it.

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