Has anyone here successfully undergone a career change?

[StrongBad]

I graduated from college and entered the work force in 2004. Though times were economically better then compared to now, it was still tough finding an entry level job. The only employment I was able to find at that time that paid fairly well was in the field of sales.

The sales industry was decent for a bit. I made some good money and learned some important skills. However, overall I feel that now I'm getting sick of it and the pressure that it entails. I would like to explore completely switching gears and getting into something new.

In this economic climate that doesn't sound very wise. However, I'm still fairly young and figure if I'm not completely happy with what I'm doing I should work towards something different. I just don't know if it's a realistic goal or not.

So, I'd like to hear personal stories about people who have made successful career changes. Any insight or advice would be helpful. Thanks very much in advance!

[EvolveOrConvolve]

1. I'm 36 and on my 3rd career

Each built upon the other. I started in restaurants and moved up to kitchen manager (sous chef for the snobs among us). Tired of restaurants, I went to school and got a business degree. I spent a few years running several successful businesses, but my heart wasn't in it. I sold the businesses, went back to school, got a CS degree and now I work with computers, and that's what I really love to do.

Sales skills are really important - I didn't know just how important until I was running my own business and realized that I had to learn how to sell before I was going to make any money. You could literally do anything now and have a good chance of being successful. My sales skills (along with the work ethic I learned working in restaurants) set me up for success in my 3rd (and hopefully final) career.

What I found was that ultimately I wanted to do what made me happy rather than what made me a lot of money. Think about that if you're considering changing careers.

[StrongBad]

2. Thanks. Your response was insightful.

Having told your own personal story, it was also encouraging. Also, my reasoning is very similar to yours. I want to change careers because I want to do something that truly makes me happy regardless of money.

[guitar man]

3. I went from blue collar to white collar

It wasn't easy but I had to do it, the work I was doing was breaking my body and spirit down more every day. So in 2000 I took an entry level job in tv and in the time between then and now have worked my way into a bottom rung management gig. Still doesn't pay a lot but I'm not beating, bruising and burning the hell out of myself every day anymore.

The first 4 1/2 years were the roughest, I started I'm at a screaming 7.65 an hour and had made it to $10 an hour before I scored the management gig. Many a payday I would look at my paycheck and was tempted to grab my tools and go back to building oilfield equipment or conveyors, or back to work as a heavy equipment mechanic. I'm glad now I didn't, I can't imagine what sorry physical state I would be in by now if I had.

[StrongBad]

4. Awesome.

Sounds like you're a really hard and dedicated worker if you were able to work your way up like that. Hope you're no longer in pain too.

[guitar man]

5. Thanks

Yes I am, I come from a family of hard working folk, depression era parents taught us about hard work and what the rewards for busting ass are supposed to be.

I think I have about topped out where I am, the industry is shrinking and there is nowhere to go. I'm working on going to work for myself full time. I've done it before but that was before I had a child. It's going to be a difficult transition but if I can pull it off it will be worth it.