Have you or anyone you know ever tried a dramatic career change?

JaMarcusHustle

Just a thought I've been having more and more. I work in financial services and while it pays the bills and I have a pretty comfortable living, it's not anywhere near something I'm passionate about.

Just wanted to hear some stories from Boardsies who have taken the risk or who know someone who has, and how it went - successful or not.

I'm not talking about leaving 1 financial services job to work in another financial services job, I'm interested to hear about very contrasting, dramatic career changes.

For those who haven't, what's your view on what a career should be? Is life too short and you should always follow your heart, or is that just a fanciful notion that very few people can realistically achieve given their circumstances and responsibilities?

There was a story in the media recently of a former Manchester united player who has become a catholic priest.

Footballer to priest is a big change.

Dr Crayfish

One of my best friends was working some telecoms IT stuff that he wasn't too keen on so he did a masters in something to do with biology, then a Phd abroad at 33 or so, and now he works in research for probably the best University in USA, I'll be visiting him soon.
You can do these things if you have the will and determination, I never thought of him as any smarter than me but he can apply himself like no one else I know so I'm very happy for him.

Dr Crayfish

That Dutch footballer who is now a police.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2317910/Arjan-Zeeuw-policeman--exclusive-interview.html

I love the Dutch police

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRfluaMKoOY

Sirsok

I work in financial services and I decided to take up the option of voluntary redundancy and use that money to set up my own business. Im nervous as hell but fingers crossed

ArnoldJRimmer

Work in financial services and know a few people who have left and gone on to other careers. One moved to England and trained to become a primary teacher, she seems happy out now.

Another who was a pretty high position left to write a novel, but have no idea how that turned out, cant see her name in the bestsellers list anyway.

Another rook a government PR job and is also doing quite well

ArnoldJRimmer

Oh and one more, a guy I know was a sound engineer and at 30 years of age decided to go back and study medicine. Qualified doctor now

Dirty Dingus McGee

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Just a thought I've been having more and more. I work in financial services and while it pays the bills and I have a pretty comfortable living, it's not anywhere near something I'm passionate about.

Just wanted to hear some stories from Boardsies who have taken the risk or who know someone who has, and how it went - successful or not.

I'm not talking about leaving 1 financial services job to work in another financial services job, I'm interested to hear about very contrasting, dramatic career changes.

For those who haven't, what's your view on what a career should be? Is life too short and you should always follow your heart, or is that just a fanciful notion that very few people can realistically achieve given their circumstances and responsibilities?

I would say 99% of people in financial services aren't passionate about it.I'm in that industry and it's purely a job for me and I probably have less interest than the 99% of people I mentioned because I have no intention of trying to progress within the industry or even do the qfa exams.

Although it sounds great on paper the idea of actually having a genuine passion for what you do for a living is fairly rare and I'd say 90% of people view their jobs as jobs rather than careers.

I like your idea of following your heart but only a small percentage of people (who are more than likely very talented) get to do something they love and still make a good living from it and I think most people accept that fairly early on in life which is quite sad when you think about it.I think most people don't even really love something that it is possible to make a living out of.The greatest gift in the world you can get is to really love something that you can make money from.

Zaph

A friend of mine used to be a manager in one of the main Irish banks. She's now a primary school teacher. I also know someone who used to be a secondary school teacher and is now responsible for social media and digital marketing for an IT start-up company.

Thespoofer

Was speaking about this with my Wife today on taking longer breaks during the Summer months to do what I want ( pursue new career, travel, find myself, whatever).

For example if I wanted to take x2 months off and needed say, €3000/month to live, that would leave me with 44 working weeks where I would need to save €135+ /week in preparation.

In this situation it would take a person to be brave to make that decision but I think if you could get your head around it and be confident of finding work again afterwards the lifestyle could be so much healthier for both mind and body ( I work in quite a physical job and not getting any younger).

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

mariaalice wrote: »

There was a story in the media recently of a former Manchester united player who has become a catholic priest.

Footballer to priest is a big change.

Fr. Phil Mulryne of Man Utd. I was at a mass he said a shale back.

I know a professional jockey who became a primary teacher, an electrician who became a wildlife ranger and a watchmaker who became a chef.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

I would say 99% of people in financial services aren't passionate about it.I'm in that industry and it's purely a job for me and I probably have less interest than the 99% of people I mentioned because I have no intention of trying to progress within the industry or even do the qfa exams.

Although it sounds great on paper the idea of actually having a genuine passion for what you do for a living is fairly rare and I'd say 90% of people view their jobs as jobs rather than careers.

I like your idea of following your heart but only a small percentage of people (who are more than likely very talented) get to do something they love and still make a good living from it and I think most people accept that fairly early on in life which is quite sad when you think about it.I think most people don't even really love something that it is possible to make a living out of.The greatest gift in the world you can get is to really love something that you can make money from.

I'd say it's far lower than that.. For every ten people only 1 has a passion for their job??? Not a chance. I'd say that easily more people enjoy their jobs than don't.

Not going to give exact details but I took a pretty big career change a few years ago. Went from doing hands-on mechancial, electrical and hydraulics work to working in data science/analytics. It's working out alright so far, still not back to where I was before career-wise but I don't regret it.

diomed

I heard of someone who gave up teaching to work in a major manufacturing company. They made him redundant six months later.

Thespoofer

Thespoofer wrote: »

Was speaking about this with my Wife today on taking longer breaks during the Summer months to do what I want ( pursue new career, travel, find myself, whatever).

For example if I wanted to take x2 months off and needed say, €3000/month to live, that would leave me with 44 working weeks where I would need to save €135+ /week in preparation.

In this situation it would take a person to be brave to make that decision but I think if you could get your head around it and be confident of finding work again afterwards the lifestyle could be so much healthier for both mind and body ( I work in quite a physical job and not getting any younger).

One of mine works in a bank in the UK and they have a scheme where by an employee can buy more holidays and pay for them based over a year. its a great idea an individuals could take a month off by buying 10 day and taking 10 days holiday together . Paying for 10 days spread over a 12 month salary would hardly be noticeable.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Big Pussy Bonpensiero wrote: »

I'd say it's far lower than that.. For every ten people only 1 has a passion for their job??? Not a chance. I'd say that easily more people enjoy their jobs than don't.

According to the gallup poll reference in the article in the link below is about 13% of people like going to work.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2013/10/10/only-13-percent-of-people-worldwide-actually-like-going-to-work/?utm_term=.0cafdc1fe06e

Thespoofer

mariaalice wrote: »

One of mine works in a bank in the UK and they have a scheme where by an employee can buy more holidays and pay for them based over a year. its a great idea an individuals could take a month off by buying 10 day and taking 10 days holiday together . Paying for 10 days spread over a 12 month salary would hardly be noticeable.

I was thinking that people in general ( well I have anyway ), plan for their future based on their present situation. In thinking this way you are essentially trapping yourself in your current situation for time to come.
It would be great to think differently essentially freeing up your future and trying to create a more enjoyable and fruitful lifestyle.

Permabear

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Roger Mellie Man on the Telly

I'm an architect, but I'm considering a career in the porn industry. I've a feeling it's for me.

My brother used to work in economic forecasting for a bank and now he is a dairy farmer.

I work in a financial institution but dream of writing the definitive hurling novel. What is it about finance jobs that seems to make people want to escape into other fields of work? Half of my colleagues seem to want to do something completely different.

Dirty Dingus McGee

A Tyrant Named Miltiades! wrote: »

My brother used to work in economic forecasting for a bank and now he is a dairy farmer.

I work in a financial institution but dream of writing the definitive hurling novel. What is it about finance jobs that seems to make people want to escape into other fields of work? Half of my colleagues seem to want to do something completely different.

Because it's not something most people could really have a passion for, it's fairly dull predictable work most of the time.People study it in college because it's not difficult to get a job in the field and there will always be work in that area.

Permabear

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rob316

Mate of mine jacked in plastering to become a carer for mentally disabled children.

beauf

Big Pussy Bonpensiero wrote: »

I'd say it's far lower than that.. For every ten people only 1 has a passion for their job??? Not a chance. I'd say that easily more people enjoy their jobs than don't.

Might depend where you work. Lots of people in IT who don't like it.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Dirty Dingus McGee wrote: »

According to the gallup poll reference in the article in the link below is about 13% of people like going to work.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-leadership/wp/2013/10/10/only-13-percent-of-people-worldwide-actually-like-going-to-work/?utm_term=.0cafdc1fe06e

Looked up a few polls and it seems to range from about 50% to 90%. I'm genuinely astounded considering the options available to us. I'd imagine that the younger workers (<35) are the majority of people that are unhappy.
Suppose life is what you make of it.

Permabear

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myshirt

There was the famous example of the chap who placed in the top ten in Chartered Accountancy exams but went on to become a sheep farmer in Donegal.

Op, financial services is extremely hard to get out of. I wouldn't go next to near it. Known for a lot of sh'te quality staff also. They actively take people with poor quality degrees. It is only at Managing Director level or above, and a bulk of the VP's (but not all) that you find a bit of quality. The rest are just cannon fodder and those recruiting know this, so are put off thinking anyone who wasn't promoted yearly would manage a change in career.

beauf

Permabear wrote: »

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That obviously true of many jobs.

Permabear wrote: »

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This I don't agree with. You meet so many people in high positions who don't have a passion for they are going.

somefeen

Quitting my 7 or 8 year long farming career next week to be a freelance journalist.
I was out of work for a year, got a job again and realised I'm just done with the tediousness of it.

Senna

Mate of mine from school went on to be a vet, working for about 5 years before he went back to college, still working as a vet part time and studied medicine and is now a doctor.
Great story about him being in the ward on one of his first placements in the local hospital, old farmer in the bed said "jesus I must be bad, they sent the vet to look after me."

I left my job running a hotel after 11 years and went back and did IT, best decision I ever made.

myshirt

Chartered Accountant turned Lion Tamer (late 1970's)

worded

On www.ted.com there is a talk on happiness and a stock broker became a monk

I'm pissed off with IT but modeling is out at this stage. Monk sounds a bit more
Realistic if you have the head for it ...

corner of hells

Senna wrote: »

Mate of mine from school went on to be a vet, working for about 5 years before he went back to college, still working as a vet part time and studied medicine and is now a doctor.
Great story about him being in the ward on one of his first placements in the local hospital, old farmer in the bed said "jesus I must be bad, they sent the vet to look after me."

I left my job running a hotel after 11 years and went back and did IT, best decision I ever made.

I know a bloke who managed restaurants in hotels and stand alone restaurants nearly all his working life , gave it up a few years ago and now works as a carer for elderly and disabled people.

FireFoxBoy

I considered a career in the security services and tried repeatedly in my teens and twenties. I failed and have ironically, now come under the police radar. I'm now considering a career in terrorism after seeing the police for what they really are.

tomwaterford

Know a good few who changed careers/were halfway throigh apprenticeships when the recession come about

Glenster

Permabear wrote: »

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That fair enough for some simple finance jobs, you can teach process to anyone.

But I would always look for a maths-y background for anyone we hire, someone who is comfortable with numbers is just quicker, more on the ball in meetings, and more adaptable. Soft skills are great and everything but you cant not have ANY hard skills.

Stonedpilot

Mate went from being a hardcore alcoholic/heroin addict to a spiritual advisor teaching hands on healing.

I know people might say drug addict wasn't originally a career but try say that to someone who spends 24/7 strung out.

byronbay2

somefeen wrote: »

Quitting my 7 or 8 year long farming career next week to be a freelance journalist.
I was out of work for a year, got a job again and realised I'm just done with the tediousness of it.

You must be fúcking joking!! Unless you want to write moronic click-bait articles (What X looks like now will astound you!!), it will be virtually impossible to make a living! Talk about a dying trade, robots will be doing it in a few years.

RabbleRouser2k

byronbay2 wrote: »

You must be fúcking joking!! Unless you want to write moronic click-bait articles (What X looks like now will astound you!!), it will be virtually impossible to make a living! Talk about a dying trade, robots will be doing it in a few years.

Ah mate..there are still good journos around, most definitely-just because we have the tabloids and some rather lazy journalists, doesn't mean the artform has died.

Follow your passion, sir, and definitely aim to be a credible voice-not the Una Mullaly's/ Louise O'Neills of the world.

RabbleRouser2k

Might be a strange 180 career change, but I found it amazing.

Know a guy who went from Engineer to Animator and now works for Cartoon Saloon.

So what happened was, he qualified as an engineer, was working for a good 10+ years in the field, and then the recession hit. So he was out of work for a good 2 years. Well, he wasn't just an engineer(Drew and painted throughout his life), so he decided to retrain in the field of art/ animation. So he went to Ballyfermot, studied there for 3 years, and during the time apprenticed with a number of animation studios.
Once he qualified, he got a job with Cartoon Saloon.

There was an exhibit of Cartoon Saloons Song of the Sea work a few years back, and he was the resident artist there if you were visiting.

Dirty Dingus McGee

Big Pussy Bonpensiero wrote: »

Looked up a few polls and it seems to range from about 50% to 90%. I'm genuinely astounded considering the options available to us. I'd imagine that the younger workers (<35) are the majority of people that are unhappy.
Suppose life is what you make of it.

Most people probably can't afford to chase a dream that is somewhat unrealistic and have to accept a job that puts food on the table.

Wanderer78

Know a chap that worked in IT for a few years, retrained as a fireman, very happy chappy.

diomed

An acquaintance went from IT to poker pro.
He is in Las Vegas this week playing in the $10,000 entry fee Main Event with a little above starting stack. So far he is having a lackluster Las Vegas.

Skerries

Roger Mellie Man on the Telly wrote: »

I'm an architect, but I'm considering a career in the porn industry. I've a feeling it's for me.

just a different type of erection work

Tigerandahalf

I find the lack of unpaid leave options to be a problem in Ireland. I was talking to an Aussie couple on holidays who were telling me in Oz they get 3 months leave for every 7 years worked. I can't remember if it was paid or not and don't know if it is widespread practice there or just their own company.

But it seems like a really good idea to refresh workers.

Permabear

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Senna

corner of hells wrote: »

I know a bloke who managed restaurants in hotels and stand alone restaurants nearly all his working life , gave it up a few years ago and now works as a carer for elderly and disabled people.

A lot of people get out of the industry as they get older, you can love the job, just the unsocial hours get tiring and out weight the good aspects of the job.

Pac1Man

I think I could only be truly passionate about a job if I was working for myself or if I was getting a slice of the company pie.

valoren

mariaalice wrote: »

There was a story in the media recently of a former Manchester united player who has become a catholic priest.

Footballer to priest is a big change.

He's dealing with crosses of a different kind now. :pac:

team_actimel

A girl I know worked in a high paid position in the financial sector and left it to become a personal trainer and is now a well-known social media star.

Gunmonkey

Senna wrote: »

A lot of people get out of the industry as they get older, you can love the job, just the unsocial hours get tiring and out weight the good aspects of the job.

Exactly the same situation for me, working as a chef the past few years but months on end of 11am-11pm and Fri-Mon shifts means I am now (at 34) looking into evening courses in accountancy.

Your social life grinds to a complete halt in food service, especially if most of your friends have more regular work hours, so aren't as motivated to go drinking on a Tuesday evening.

Just looking for something with more structured hours and better pay overall. I am doing the reverse of most people by doing the creative, exciting job first and then having a change of mind in my early 30's and getting a rat-race office job!