Career change: How did it go for you?

onrail

After nearly 10 years working as a civil engineer, I've been thinking for roughly the last 4 years about a career change. One positive to come out of the looming economic disaster is that it may finally give me the shove that I needed to go try something new.

At the moment, I'm leaning strongly towards accountancy as a path, but IT is a possibility. My wife is in secure employment (teacher), and I've enough personal savings to weather a couple of years without income if needs be - although it'll severely dent the house deposit fund!

So, I'm just curious if anyone on here could share their experiences of a similar shift.

• How did you balance re-education with family commitments? (I've just welcomed a newborn!). How long did training take?
• What was it like to fall back down the pecking order in your career?
• Did it work out well for you??
• Any advice?

Thanks

Make It Real

Feeling the "shove" after 4 years of thinking, is a big, exciting thing, OnRail. Run with it!

I work a lot with people in your boat - been there too myself a couple of times too - so a few ideas:


- How can you nail down exactly what "it" is?

Look wider, what other options are there? What would you love to do? What would each give you on the things that are important to you? How can you test them out a bit, while still in your current job?

Once you are really sure, it all gets much more certain and easier.


- What if you thought of yourself as 'continuing', not 'restarting'?

You're not a school leaver. What experience, skills and value do you bring to a new career? How can you respin those into selling points? Reduce the re-training? What if you found a way of making the new thing a small, but growing, success quickly? A plan which avoids burning savings, holds the dream of the house, providing for the little one?


- Where's the balance for you?

Downturn vs opportunity. Risk vs reward. Scary vs exciting. Boring vs fulfilling. Now vs never. And lots more...

Only you have the answers. Find them and really know them! Then you will do the right thing and get to the right place for you.



Hope this helps - let me know if you want more!

onrail

Thanks for the reply - it's that sort of enthusiasm that'll see me through!
Do you work in the field of HR or career guidance!?

Yeah, In short, I've probably thought about all of those things and the following is my loose plan:

1. I've plenty of experience in project management, but lacking a formal qualification. Hope to complete an accelerated (1 week) PRINCE2 course within the next 2-3 months. Even if there is a change of plan, a PM qualification is useful anywhere.

2. Enroll in CAP1 evening course run by Chartered Accountants Ireland. It will give me a flavour of things over the course of a year without leaving the day-job.

The big drawback for this plan is that Accountancy is a long and tough road to becoming qualified. For one reason or another, I'm going to have to relocate back to the countryside in the next 2 years or so - so training while being based on rural Ireland may not be feasible.

My thoughts behind IT, is that it may(?) offer a quicker route to qualification (1-2 year conversion Masters).

heffo500

If you complete the project management course, you may be get into an investment company in the IFSC as a Project Manager or Business Analyst.

I'd say you would have many transferrable skills for these types of roles.

You may get your foot in the door doing contract work which can be very lucrative and if it wasn't for you, you could go back to the engineering quite easily.

Patsy167

I found this article extremely helpful when considering a career change. Not a quick read but well worth spending 30 mins-1 hour completing all of the suggested exercises. It will clarify a lot of things in your head.

https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/career-therapy/

I was in a lab tech role and kept getting moved towards procurement roles. So much so that could never get back into a lab, without retraining.

Last recession I used redundancy to go back and get IT H.Dip.
Best decision ever; it got me a job back in Cork, just as kids were coming along, massive boost in income, and so many more opportunities.

onrail

heffo500 wrote: »

If you complete the project management course, you may be get into an investment company in the IFSC as a Project Manager or Business Analyst.

I'd say you would have many transferrable skills for these types of roles.

You may get your foot in the door doing contract work which can be very lucrative and if it wasn't for you, you could go back to the engineering quite easily.

Thanks a million for the advice.

Yeah, I've often come across these Analyst type positions, but frankly, I'm a bit in the dark as to what the role would involve day-to-day. Any resource you could point me towards would be really helpful.

onrail

Deleted User wrote: »

I was in a lab tech role and kept getting moved towards procurement roles. So much so that could never get back into a lab, without retraining.

Last recession I used redundancy to go back and get IT H.Dip.
Best decision ever; it got me a job back in Cork, just as kids were coming along, massive boost in income, and so many more opportunities.

Delighted to hear a story like that. Fair play!

Which HDip did you enroll in? There seems to be a vast amount of options!

greenttc

onrail, do it, i did it. my story sounds similar to yours in a way, I worked for 10 years in one job, had bought my house, got married had first child all of that stuff (and that was significant for me as I felt secure) the last big thing left was for me to go and work in what I always should have done but just didnt do because followed different paths when I was younger.

I retrained and have just come out the other side of that now, it was a tough two years trying to study, work (for some of the time) and have a small child. I also, just to keep things interesting, had a baby right in the middle of it all. So, it was tough going when I look back on it but during it I just kept ploughing through and did it without thinking about how hard it actually was. I think that is just how my mind works, if I want something I just have to go and do it and get through the tough parts but they arent going to hold me back.

in saying all this I have an amazing family who I 100% could not have done this without, not a chance. They have really gone through this whole thing with me and have been the biggest part in allowing me to get the work done that had to be done.

I am so so so so happy I went and did it, there is no way I could have stayed doing the job I was in before, well, i probably could but I wouldnt have been as happy. I love this new career and it suits me so well.

I didnt get to try out the career in any way before starting the training, it just wasnt really possible for me to do. I just knew that I would like it though and for years people had been telling me I would be great at it.

I dont mind in the slightest that I am bottom of the pile again. Moving up in this job would mean a totally different job in my eyes so I am not even sure i want to move up too far. its like any job i suppose. you see it all the time, people work in a job and then move into management beause that is the only way to move but then the end up not getting to do the work they set out to do in the first place anyway. yes, i am taking a cut in wages but we will manage and the pay will increase over time.

The only thing I wonder about regarding your story is your lack of commitment to any one particular role, accounting and IT are very different, do you really know what you want to do yet? is that you just want a change more than anything? I know how that feels too but for me that wasnt reason enough to take this dramatic plunge into retraining and giving up good pay etc.

at the end of the day though, the world of work is not like it was for our parents, its not all about the job for life any more, your career is not your identity its just what you do. working is all about changing and growing and life long learning now so people should feel more at ease in making decisions like the one you are trying to make.

so, as I said at the start, do it!

onrail

onrail wrote: »

Delighted to hear a story like that. Fair play!

Which HDip did you enroll in? There seems to be a vast amount of options!

Depends on what you want.
I did IT in Dublin Business School, course content was great but the facilities are/were (2013/14) not up to scratch, and some of the internships were worse than useless (some were great) as their vetting seemed non existent.
Like all colleges; lecturers were a complete crap-shoot from outstanding to no point.

The course content, however, was a bit ahead of others and focused on Cloud Computing. Seeing as I am a sys-admin now, very handy to have the basics covered.



The one thing that I will say, about all such courses.
You will more than likely NOT be a match for graduates who have spent 3-4 years immersed in the subject matter. You will be getting years worth of information thrown at you and will have to sink/swim on your own work.

In interviews you will have to majorly leverage your past experience as a massive plus but that past experience may also count against you getting that first role. I lost count of the times I was classed overqualified, even as a completely entry level grunt, because of existing degree and previous roles.

But, no one from the year seems to regret it. Everyone has good roles and happy with the decisions. A good few did struggle to get that first job but once got a foot in the door they were flying.

greenttc

greenttc wrote: »

onrail, do it, i did it. my story sounds similar to yours in a way, I worked for 10 years in one job, had bought my house, got married had first child all of that stuff (and that was significant for me as I felt secure) the last big thing left was for me to go and work in what I always should have done but just didnt do because followed different paths when I was younger.

I retrained and have just come out the other side of that now, it was a tough two years trying to study, work (for some of the time) and have a small child. I also, just to keep things interesting, had a baby right in the middle of it all. So, it was tough going when I look back on it but during it I just kept ploughing through and did it without thinking about how hard it actually was. I think that is just how my mind works, if I want something I just have to go and do it and get through the tough parts but they arent going to hold me back.

in saying all this I have an amazing family who I 100% could not have done this without, not a chance. They have really gone through this whole thing with me and have been the biggest part in allowing me to get the work done that had to be done.

I am so so so so happy I went and did it, there is no way I could have stayed doing the job I was in before, well, i probably could but I wouldnt have been as happy. I love this new career and it suits me so well.

I didnt get to try out the career in any way before starting the training, it just wasnt really possible for me to do. I just knew that I would like it though and for years people had been telling me I would be great at it.

I dont mind in the slightest that I am bottom of the pile again. Moving up in this job would mean a totally different job in my eyes so I am not even sure i want to move up too far. its like any job i suppose. you see it all the time, people work in a job and then move into management beause that is the only way to move but then the end up not getting to do the work they set out to do in the first place anyway. yes, i am taking a cut in wages but we will manage and the pay will increase over time.

The only thing I wonder about regarding your story is your lack of commitment to any one particular role, accounting and IT are very different, do you really know what you want to do yet? is that you just want a change more than anything? I know how that feels too but for me that wasnt reason enough to take this dramatic plunge into retraining and giving up good pay etc.

at the end of the day though, the world of work is not like it was for our parents, its not all about the job for life any more, your career is not your identity its just what you do. working is all about changing and growing and life long learning now so people should feel more at ease in making decisions like the one you are trying to make.

so, as I said at the start, do it!

To be fair, I was contemplating doing an entire undergrad in Physiotherapy but could not make the finances stack up


IT and Physiotherapy are as divergent as you can get

onrail

greenttc wrote: »

The only thing I wonder about regarding your story is your lack of commitment to any one particular role, accounting and IT are very different, do you really know what you want to do yet? is that you just want a change more than anything? I know how that feels too but for me that wasnt reason enough to take this dramatic plunge into retraining and giving up good pay etc.

Great feedback and yes you're right. To be fair, there is definitely a degree of 'looking for a change', but having traveled and worked abroad for a year in 2017/2018, I'm satisfied to say that a move to a different employer in the same industry would not help.

To be honest, both roles are attractive, as I see myself as quite an analytical person.

- On one hand, I love the idea of being appointed to examine a business or process, improving profitability and optimising taxation benefits.

- On the other, I'd love to have the expertise produce software or upgrade IT systems to improve the efficiency of an operation.

If I was to be placed into a role tomorrow, I'd probably edge towards accountancy, but practicality has to come into it - and I'm not sure I can face the many years study and Auditing slog that seems to be required to make it. Not saying that IT would be a walk in the park - just a steeper learning curve it seems.

onrail

onrail wrote: »

Great feedback and yes you're right. To be fair, there is definitely a degree of 'looking for a change', but having traveled and worked abroad for a year in 2017/2018, I'm satisfied to say that a move to a different employer in the same industry would not help.

To be honest, both roles are attractive, as I see myself as quite an analytical person.

- On one hand, I love the idea of being appointed to examine a business or process, improving profitability and optimising taxation benefits.

- On the other, I'd love to have the expertise produce software or upgrade IT systems to improve the efficiency of an operation.

If I was to be placed into a role tomorrow, I'd probably edge towards accountancy, but practicality has to come into it - and I'm not sure I can face the many years study and Auditing slog that seems to be required to make it. Not saying that IT would be a walk in the park - just a steeper learning curve it seems.

That will only get you in the door. You will have continuous courses, qualifications, certifications to do in IT.
Nothing, of substance, I learned in the course is directly applicable anymore, only 6 years later

BrokenArrows

OnRail... I cant really give input on the changing of careers path, but your description of "IT" is about as broad as saying you want a job involving a keyboard.

You will need to research, think and decide what type of "IT" you want to get into and then decide what subtype. For example if you decided you wanted to become a software engineer to create software, you then need to decide what type of software. eg. Mobile App Developer, websites, backend server software, frontend desktop development etc etc.
They all have their own specific learning path.

BrokenArrows

BrokenArrows wrote: »

OnRail... I cant really give input on the changing of careers path, but your description of "IT" is about as broad as saying you want a job involving a keyboard.

You will need to research, think and decide what type of "IT" you want to get into and then decide what subtype. For example if you decided you wanted to become a software engineer to create software, you then need to decide what type of software. eg. Mobile App Developer, websites, backend server software, frontend desktop development etc etc.
They all have their own specific learning path.

This is all very very true.
If I had an opportunity again I would be going into the InfoSec HDips. Were not available, when I did mine.

onrail

BrokenArrows wrote: »

OnRail... I cant really give input on the changing of careers path, but your description of "IT" is about as broad as saying you want a job involving a keyboard.

You will need to research, think and decide what type of "IT" you want to get into and then decide what subtype. For example if you decided you wanted to become a software engineer to create software, you then need to decide what type of software. eg. Mobile App Developer, websites, backend server software, frontend desktop development etc etc.
They all have their own specific learning path.

Yeah, fair enough - it probably comes across as ‘I want to work with computers’

beauf

I've done it three times but it was always to something I was already dabbling in. For example I used computers a lot before I moved to IT permanently.

The op would be best moving to project management leveraging what he already knows in a new career. I don't think something like software development is viable going from nothing.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

I've done it three times but it was always to something I was already dabbling in. For example I used computers a lot before I moved to IT permanently.

The op would be best moving to project management leveraging what he already knows in a new career. I don't think something like software development is viable going from nothing.

Only if he likes it.
I kept getting asked would I not do procurement or supply chain, because I was already doing it BUT I hated every day, in the office

beauf

Very true. But it's very different in IT.

It's also very different public Vs private industry in IT

Environment makes a huge different. But you are correct we get tired and want a clean break.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

Very true. But it's very different in IT.

Class I was in had designers, architects, biologists (me), engineers etc.

We all did "like" technology but to an amateur level. So yeah, you need to like it, but not a guarantee of being good or bad at it

beauf

Where I currently work in IT about 60% have no interest in computers it's just a job. But they like the working environment.

beauf

beauf wrote: »

Where I currently work in IT about 60% have no interest in computers it's just a job. But they like the working environment.

Ha, all of mine are nerds to one extent or another.

trihead

Regarding career change have a look at
Springboard courses - know several people where this has worked out for them.
http://springboardcourses.ie

Make It Real

This:

onrail wrote: »

- On one hand, I love the idea of being appointed to examine a business or process, improving profitability and optimising taxation benefits.

- On the other, I'd love to have the expertise produce software or upgrade IT systems to improve the efficiency of an operation.

You use the word "love" twice. What does that say?!

To me both of above are the same thing - analysing, optimising, finding value, making it happen, but maybe not hands-on doing the implementation (?).

They're just in different sectors - finance and IT and probably have different titles, different knowledge background. But it's the same skills and is what you love doing!

onrail wrote: »

Thanks for the reply - it's that sort of enthusiasm that'll see me through!
Do you work in the field of HR or career guidance!?

Ah, you lit the spark, I just fanned it a bit.

I coach people looking to make a change in their life or work. So, all about knowing what it is and why, working together to get there by taking small, practical steps. I've changed career twice myself, also was IT project manager, business analyst coincidentally.

Happy to have a quick chat offline if you think it would help kick-start you. Just shoot me a PM.

You're all describing an IT Systems Analyst

onrail

Make It Real wrote: »

This:

I coach people looking to make a change in their life or work. So, all about knowing what it is and why, working together to get there by taking small, practical steps. I've changed career twice myself, also was IT project manager, business analyst coincidentally.

Happy to have a quick chat offline if you think it would help kick-start you. Just shoot me a PM.

Sounds ideal - I'll drop you a PM when I get a chance!

onrail

onrail wrote: »

Sounds ideal - I'll drop you a PM when I get a chance!

Why don't you like Civil engineering?, how do individuals work out the difference between genuinely in the wrong career verses the grass is greener somewhere else?

Purple Mountain

Have a look at Acounting Technician Ireland.
Sure, you're not a full qualified accountant but there are plenty of jobs for a technician.
You study over 2 years and after 2 years work experience, you qualify.
You can study full or part time.
(double check this hasn't changed in recent times, my sister in law went this route about 10 years ago).
It's a lot less pressure than a full accounting role.

pconn062

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Have a look at Acounting Technician Ireland.
Sure, you're not a full qualified accountant but there are plenty of jobs for a technician.
You study over 2 years and after 2 years work experience, you qualify.
You can study full or part time.
(double check this hasn't changed in recent times, my sister in law went this route about 10 years ago).
It's a lot less pressure than a full accounting role.

My wife recently applied for this and is hoping to start in September. The way it seems to work now is you work four days a week and study one day a week and the whole thing takes two years total. The money is tight for two years, €20,000 a year but your fees are covered by the company.

Purple Mountain

pconn062 wrote: »

My wife recently applied for this and is hoping to start in September. The way it seems to work now is you work four days a week and study one day a week and the whole thing takes two years total. The money is tight for two years, €20,000 a year but your fees are covered by the company.

Is it not down to the individual company how much they pay you?
It's a good qualification because you can work in practice or industry so lots of opportunities.

pconn062

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Is it not down to the individual company how much they pay you?
It's a good qualification because you can work in practice or industry so lots of opportunities.

Yes apologies, you are correct. I think €20,000 is listed as the minimum and we are assuming this is most will offer. She has passed the interview, just needs to wait to see if any companies are taking on now, especially with the added complications of trying to train someone while possibly working from home, as least some days a week.

onrail

mariaalice wrote: »

Why don't you like Civil engineering?, how do individuals work out the difference between genuinely in the wrong career verses the grass is greener somewhere else?

Based on conversations I've had with friends in other industries, in general, it's insecure, highly pressurised and poorly paid given the entrance requirements. To make up for all those, you'd need to really love the subject matter, and while I don't hate it, I don't love it either.

ingeneer

Hi Onrail,

I've been in the same boat for a number of years. Working in Civil and Structural consultancies since graduating in 2011 and have been thinking about going back for a career change for about the last 5! The majority of my class don't work in the profession anymore, risk/reward ratio not good enough basically.

I am a bit conflicted at the moment because I'm finally on a half decent wage, and it would take a number of years to get back to it. Are you on site or in the design office?

I've always had an amateur interest in coding so have been leaning towards doing one of the Springboard IT courses and trying to work my way up from there. I know a few people who have done similar (including close family) and they have got work relatively easily and they have working from home perks etc. If there is a significant downturn in the next couple of months I am 100% downing tools and signing up to one of them.

onrail

ingeneer wrote: »

Hi Onrail,

I've been in the same boat for a number of years. Working in Civil and Structural consultancies since graduating in 2011 and have been thinking about going back for a career change for about the last 5! The majority of my class don't work in the profession anymore, risk/reward ratio not good enough basically.

I am a bit conflicted at the moment because I'm finally on a half decent wage, and it would take a number of years to get back to it. Are you on site or in the design office?

I've always had an amateur interest in coding so have been leaning towards doing one of the Springboard IT courses and trying to work my way up from there. I know a few people who have done similar (including close family) and they have got work relatively easily and they have working from home perks etc. If there is a significant downturn in the next couple of months I am 100% downing tools and signing up to one of them.

Good stuff. We’re pretty similar and there are far more like us I’ve talked to who’ve got caught in the trap for far longer in their careers! Yeah I’ve been in consultancy since 2011 - You’d need to put me more than double to take a full time site job!

You mention salary there - yeah things are ok at the minute, but you may bet 15-20% cuts are coming shortly, so really there is little to lose. In reality, I’ve friends my age in other industries who are making more than Directors with 35 years experience in our game.

One fear I’d have with programming and software is that we’d be competing with those coming out of specialised 4 year courses and I gather that there is much more competition for roles than there may have been a few years ago.

As I mentioned in the OP, I’m almost hoping for vol. redundancy to be offered as a ‘shove’ towards what should’ve been done a few years ago.

Danzy

Great for me.

Look if you'll be hungry for the new line go for it, that'll make it work.

If your sick of your current line then a change might help.

If the individual's motivation for change is solely for more money its rarely a good idea.

krissovo

I was a Military Mechanical Engineer for 15 years overseas before I did a career change to the world of IT. In the British Army I could have served 22 years and left with a decent pension for life but instead I knew I had more to offer and retrained for IT administration.

I left the army, did my retraining in South Africa and gained a few qualifications for managing Microsoft products. I found a job with a major IT provider (Siemens) and since then its been a whirlwind ride as the world of IT is so fast. It took 4 years to bring my salary up to what I was earning prior and now after another 8 years IT has been very kind to me to a point it has far exceeded all my expectations.

I found I was twice as motivated once I moved into IT. This effectively fast tracked me above everyone else without doing twice the work so the salary jumped and the promotions came quite quickly.

Make It Real

krissovo wrote: »

I found I was twice as motivated once I moved into IT. This effectively fast tracked me above everyone else without doing twice the work so the salary jumped and the promotions came quite quickly.

I really agree this is what turbo-charges progress and careers, not qualifications.

treenytru

trihead wrote: »

Regarding career change have a look at
Springboard courses - know several people where this has worked out for them.
http://springboardcourses.ie

Yep, I'm one of those people

Was an efl teacher and then worked in school administration. Realised I needed something different and wanted a job that would give me more opportunities outside of Dublin.

Did the ACCA Diploma via Springboard. Signed up for a year and it's part time ...one evening a week and and a couple of Saturdays during each module. It is a commitment but worked full time while completing the 1st year. Plenty of others have full time jobs and kids. Also, all classes are online via zoom (even before covid). Many in the class are based outside of Dublin and logging in for class. You only pay 10% of the course fees so not too big of a financial commitment. Was lucky enough that the course was extended into a 2nd year, again 90% springboard funded.

Left my full time job last September and got an internship in an accountancy practice. Stayed on part time and now work and study part time. Suits me grand as I'm single and live a pretty simple life.

Enjoying the fact that I now have more concrete qualifications (my previous role I just kinda picked up skills on the job), less responsibility and my pay works out better on a per hours basis than my previous job.

While there are busy periods in the accounting year not all roles are so demanding in terms of your time. From what I've hear the Big 4 practices wring you out for the first few years. But the people who take the entry level internships at these companies are young and ambitious and I guess they're rewarded later in their careers. I'm very happy to go in, do the best I can for the small businesses we support and leave at 5!

Studied and worked as a mechanical engineer, did an MSc in data analytics and started a career in that, has worked out great tbh. Work for a tech company, do work I really enjoy, and get paid more than I would have previously, and feel I have pretty good career options now.

HalfBlues

Was in e commerce. Joined the guards and regret not doing it sooner. Very happy.

onrail

Sonny Late Pooch wrote: »

Studied and worked as a mechanical engineer, did an MSc in data analytics and started a career in that, has worked out great tbh. Work for a tech company, do work I really enjoy, and get paid more than I would have previously, and feel I have pretty good career options now.

How did you find the course content difficulty-wise? Although engineering was pretty tough, you’d always fear the learning curve of a new subject area.

onrail

treenytru wrote: »

While there are busy periods in the accounting year not all roles are so demanding in terms of your time. From what I've hear the Big 4 practices wring you out for the first few years. But the people who take the entry level internships at these companiea are young and ambitious and I guess they're rewarded later in their careers. I'm very happy to go in, do the best I can for the small businesses we support and leave at 5!

Fair play.
Yeah the first few years in a big4 training contract are supposed to be hell - would only be possible when you’re young, enthusiastic and able to burn the candle at both ends.

Once you make it through though, you’re set for life!