Changing careers mid-life anyone ?

[OctoMan]

I am currently in a gov. job which I've held for 8 years. There is no upward mobility in it and I was affected by the furlough this year. Effectively taking away two weeks pay.

Although the gov. has benefits, exc, I have come to the point where I'd rather push a broom than work for the D.O.D. another week, year, because I am increasingly over-worked. However I assume everyone else is in the private sector wrold as well.

My main problem is lack of advancement, tired of the same thing day after day (Groundhog Day anyone?) and being subjected to pay freezes, hiriing freezes exc.

My passion is cars. I took auto mechanics when I was in high school, and have allways loved working on cars. I have a bachelors degree which isn't worth much but does show I can learn and adapt.

My current dream is to take a sheet metal fabrication class somewhere and build/modify cars of some type. Problem is those jobs are few and far between. And working for an autobody place is mostly working for the insurance industry.

I have written articles for the car club newsletter and enjoy automotive history. I might be able to do freelance journalism but that wouldn't begin to pay the bills. I assume the career change will require going back to school but I refuse go to a college that requires you to take english classes and that kinda ****. I've already done that.

I can relocate but prefer to stay in S.E. VA as we are pretty tide to our church. I am a Navy vet. so I have some military experience but nothing technical.

What are your thoughts on a major career change? Your thoughts on having done it? Happier ? Thanks

 

[raceman17]

I'm in the DOD as well as a civilian mechanical engineer. I WOULD NEVER THINK OF LEAVING THE GOVERNMENT JOB. We have had the hiring free, pay freeze, and furlough as well and it has been a PITA to deal with but what else are you going to do? I use to work in the private sector and it was feast or famine. It’s not like that where I work now. I know when I wake up that I have a job to go to. For me that means a lot.

If you do not want to go back to college to get another job then I suggest you talk to your supervisor and tell them how you feel. There has got to be other jobs available that you can transfer too if you’re not satisfied where you are at.

 

[smithred67]

I say do what you love, life is too short to be stuck in a dead end job that you don't like. I am nearing 40 and working on my degree so I can do what I love.

Good luck

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I dunno, I'd think you should be able to find something better to do....I know some possible job options in the Tidewater area, but it's hard to offer anything appreciably helpful without knowing what experience you have behind you. What's the current job?

 

[HAY YOU]

I don't know what kind of job you actually do, but I would say you might need to adjust the way you look at things. By that I mean you have a steady job & who doesn't like time off whether it's paid or not. Go to work with the frame of mind to use them, use them for a paycheck, use them for benefits etc. While doing so continue your car hobby that might just turn into nice little business. Good Luck

 

[NUTTSGT]

Almost every job out there right now is suffering right now. If you want out of your current job that bad, I'd try to find another gov't job where your current time can transfer over.

Can you buy your military time (4 years ?) for your gov't pension, effectively giving you more years towards retirement ?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I changed careers in the middle of my work life. The idea was to make myself more marketable outside the system. I had had enough of layoffs and fighting for shifts at Ford Motor Co. So I became an Industrial Electrician apprentice at 38 years old. It was a real *****. Even though Ford payed for all my schooling and even paid me to go to school, college at 38 purely ***** for somebody that is set in their ways and never liked school anyway. That coupled with the normal extended hours of the skilled trades made for some trying times indeed. One of the happiest days of my life was my last day of school. Was it worth it? I'd have to say yes-if I had it to do over again, I'd probably do the same. Unless, of course, I was given a guarantee that I'd always work for Ford, at the same place with no layoffs, then maybe I'd pass, as I worked for the Parts Redistribution Center, which is considered Ford's country club. Spent my last 14 years at the Rouge, because getting picked up back at PRC after you graduate is a little like winning the lotto. But then I wouldn't have had all these great experiences like the year and a half I spent at Ford's Power House. I can honestly say that I never hated to have to go to work just because my job sucked, and that's half the battle won. It was starting to turn colors a bit just before I retired. I've been told by those still there I was very fortunate to get out when I did.

 

[cnyeco1]

I wanted to be a Nurse when i was a teenager. I tried and failed because of girls and partying. Didn't have the commitment it takes to go to school. I worked lots of jobs over the years, welder, machinist and oil field. I finally went back to school in 2009 and finished in 2011. I make twice the money for half the work, I have health insurance, and don't live in fear of being laid off all the time.

Follow your dreams and don't give up on what you REALLY want. It's not easy but worth it in the long run.

Good Luck.

 

[patent pending]

I've been working for the .gov for six years now, and from time to time I think "There's got to be something better out there, something that I would LOVE to do". Then I snap out of it and remind myself along the lines of what HAY YOU said above... I got a good job, working from home, great vacation time and benefits. I would be an idot to give that up. I'm sure there are some folks who go to work and have fun doing it, more power to them. I just try and be thankful for what I've got. Taking a break every now and then to get on GJ helps make the work day better anyway.

Only 25 more years and I can retire!

 

[Bricen18]

Another DOD guy here. i just told my supervisor that i will be looking for jobs. I wont be getting another raise for 2 years. They have been dicking around on advancing me in a trainee program. After long project is over I will be transferred and forced to move, in my area there arent many gov jobs.

A majority of people dont work for uncle sam and i figure if they make it , so can I. So you can make it too.

 

[sammerdog]

Armed with a Bachelor's degree, it appears the Federal Gov't pays approx 8 to 10% better than the private sector:
http://www.cbo.gov/publication/42921

Couple higher wages with greater job stability and you may want to rethink your grass-is-greener thought process.

 

[justanengineer]

Armed with a Bachelor's degree, it appears the Federal Gov't pays approx 8 to 10% better than the private sector:
http://www.cbo.gov/publication/42921

Couple higher wages with greater job stability and you may want to rethink your grass-is-greener thought process.

Dont forget the government pension that means an easy and early retirement. Considering the OP's area, Id suggest 8-10% is rather low. My brother works for a govt contractor in DC and hes almost double the national average for programmers his age. Granted, contractor is the key word, but its still a very well paid/high cost of living area.

Personally, Id suggest taking a good long vacation (you guys get LOTS) then putting your nose back to the grindstone. Not sure why you think lacking upward mobility and dealing with furloughs is unique to the federal govt, theyre not. I lost a week last year, am off again in a few weeks, and am expecting 2 more before the end of this year. The economy ***** and the cycles are MUCH worse in the private sector.

 

[STANIMAL]

Dont even think about it . Stay and take vacations , its popular with the feds . Solid jobs are harder to find than you think . Do your metal crafting in your spare time for the enjoyment and skill building . I would trade all of my endeavors for a govt job like you have, just to know that a paycheck is always no more than 5 days away .

 

[Clubber]

As far as schooling goes my wife went back for an associates after a bachelor degree and she did not have to take the basic courses again. She went to a state school both times.

 

[kbs2244]

One thing about the .gov
It may be bankrupt, but it is never going out of business.

In your shoes, I would take advantage of the furloughs, etc. to go to school, get a temp job in a body shop, or whatever it is you think you would like to do.

This lets you get a feel for if your dreams match reality without burning any bridges.

When it gets to the point where it makes sense money wise, then make the jump.

 

[SteveCh]

I did it. 20 yr. ago. Or there-about. I was living in an area where wages are really, really low, even for those with college degree and a profession or both. I was tired of long hours, no OT or vacation or medical [they get away with it some here as there are so very few jobs]. So, I became a flight instructor, well known as a minimum wage profession. I still made no money, but teaching people to fly was so much more fun and challenging than the "regular" job.

In my case, I went to a self-employed career around the age of 40. Self-employed means no paid vacation, no medical, no OT. Same deal as I had in the corporate world. Much much more fun to fly. I do not regret it nor have I regretted it for a single second.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I changed jobs at 38 after 12 years with my previous job as a welding lab tech. I had a son who played hockey and two kids in private school and could see I'd never get ahead financially. I took a tradesman apprentice job in a refinery for the same base pay as the lab tech job. With OT I made 15K more than the tech job my first year+ better benefits. Last year was my seventh year as a tradesman, and I made 3 times my last year in the lab. I could have made even more, but I try to maintain balance in my life. I don't love work (who does), but I have to work to support my family. I will be able to retire about 60. I don't think that would have been possible with my old job where my raises barely matched inflation. To me you only have amount of time to make money. I want to make as much as I can in as little time possible at work. I don't hate my job, but I work in the heat and cold and sometimes climb 200' feet on ladders along with other dangers. I can't see myself doing it into my mid 60's, but I'm happy with the switch.

 

[where2]

Private sector isn't all green and rosy I can assure you. I have a bachelor's degree (from a top 20 university) in a field that your buddies over at the BLS rate as "Employment is expected to grow 25 percent from 2010 to 2020". My happy little self took a 20% pay cut in 2009 (add another -3% that year if you count the loss of match to the 401k). In 2010, I took a 20% reduction in hours and 80% reduction in my paid vacation on TOP of the existing 20% pay cut from 2009. Then, in 2011, I lost my paid holidays, the last 40 hours of paid vacations, and my employer paid health insurance. In January 2012, I walked out on that whole profession after 16 years, despite being licensed in two states, and the BLS painting a rosy picture of impressive future growth!

I now work for a subsidiary of a defense contractor. No one in my department has seen a raise since the company was bought out in 2010. If you're wondering how I know that? I picked up my current job as a part-time job back in 2009 when my pay started dropping at the salaried job I'd held for 14 years! Worked two jobs for 3 years to pay off the house before I resigned.

Give me a Furlough and the loss of 2-weeks pay anytime... From time to time, people ask me if I will ever get back into the profession I left? The answer is yes, whenever someone wants to pay me what I am worth, and offers me a job I want to do.

 

[Just Primer]

Hey, first post here. I will try to post a picture of my Garage soon.

Anyway, I lost my short time job at NASA,(2 years) because each President is directly in charge of laying out the agenda for his time in office for NASA. Yes, the shuttle was retiring, but there was another vehicle on line for three years before that. It was called the Constellation Program. He cancelled most of our plans and the layoffs were pretty severe. I went back to my back ground and I got a contractor license in Painting, Stucco coatings, drywall repair. I work for myself and by myself, sometimes I make more than I did and sometimes less. However I don't have to deal with the B.S. politics of who your in with or when I can move up after the 20 year man finally retires who's sitting there everyday reading the paper and waiting for his pension to mature. I love it a lot more.

Sorry guys, but this Government's finished. Both sides are doing everything they can to spend more money, while we are bankrupt and they are printing us into oblivion. I don't see a future in any Government job for a long time. If your about to retire, then yes ride it out. If not work for your self and skip all the politics and waiting in line. I give myself raises all the time. I always try to get a little more for quality work.

Sorry, to be a downer. Don't mean to offend anyone.

 

[mustanginky]

i, too, have considered a career change. i started working for the state dept. of corrections at age 23, with a 20 year pension. i am 30 years old, 7 years in. i will be eligible for retirement in 13 years. i don't make ****, and haven't had a pay raise in the last 6 years short of promotions. i cannot fathom the idea of leaving and giving up my pension. we are under "hazardous duty" which they cut off in favor of a 25 year plan. i am grandfathered in and if i were to leave and come back i'd go back to 25 years.

i have a pretty good gig, i'm an institutional investigator and handle a ton of criminal cases, as well as the gang cases. i'm an investigator by heart. i have failed at getting hired at a police department on a couple occasions. i have resigned myself to the fact that i will one day retire, and mow lawns or do whatever i want at the age of 43.

 

[Fishplate]

I'm in my 17th year as a Fed, after having a long career of different jobs, almost all of them without benefits. Some auto-related, some not. Working on/with cars isn't always what it's cracked up to be - to me, it's a better hobby than it is a career.

I went and finished school, got my degree and washed up on the shores of Government Island. Too late for me to think about changing, with retirement 3 to 5 years away, but I know what you mean about topping out in your GS level and no raises. Pretty discouraging, until you try to find a different job.

If I was in your shoes, and determined to change, I'd find another Federal job and apply like crazy. Being a Vet, you get a 10 point hiring preference, which makes you much more competitive.