Changing careers

[touree]

I am sure I can source for advise from a majority of you who have had a chance to work in several jobs and eventually retired. Is it normal to hate your first job after a few years down the line and at what point is it recommended that one changes careers?

I am almost two years old in my current job but routine is getting the worst out of me.

 

[KennyV]

When you realize you must work at something ... You very rarely also realize that everyone is working at something, MOST hating to go to work... because they hate their job.

You 'should' put a little planning in considering what you will be working at...
Find something that you genuinely enjoy doing, It will still be work BUT you should never hate your job.
Hard to be happy if you intently dislike what you must do...
Unfortunately most people start a job never intending to do it for a long time, and before they know it they have been at it for most of their life, hating it all along.
Find something that will not become something to hate... you will be much easier to be around. :smile:KennyV

 

[JDgreen]

When you realize you must work at something ... You very rarely also realize that everyone is working at something, MOST hating to go to work... because they hate their job.

You 'should' put a little planning in considering what you will be working at...
Find something that you genuinely enjoy doing, It will still be work BUT you should never hate your job.
Hard to be happy if you intently dislike what you must do...
Unfortunately most people start a job never intending to do it for a long time, and before they know it they have been at it for most of their life, hating it all along.
Find something that will not become something to hate... you will be much easier to be around. :smile:KennyV

The first ten years of my job I was indifferent, it was just a way to pay my bills. I never viewed what I did as being of any importance and basically was indifferent to what my work accomplished. Then I volunteered for more responsibility and the duties became more varied and it became somewhat more interesting, over the next 21 years I got several steps up the ladder by volunteering and trying to accomplish more than was required of me. Many days I would be speeding on the way to work, not because I was late, but because I couldn't wait to get there and begin.

I was fortunate to have an interesting job that offered a chance to move up. But for those in a boring career with no opportunity to advance, I advise you to seriously consider changing careers if you can, because if you enjoy what you do for a living, everyone involved benefits...especially yourself.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I spent the first 16 years in the auto industry worried about layoffs and the fact that I was unmarketable outside the system, though I had a job that I enjoyed, driving heavy equipment in a warehouse environment. I went into the skilled trades as an electrician at 38 years old. I ended up retiring as an electrician, but the job was not near as enjoyable as the one I left. It was simply a good move on my part as the auto industry is never quite on solid ground, and electricians are far more marketable than warehousemen.

I also spent a good many years in nowhere jobs that I hated, the second of which I thought, foolishly, was a viable trade. Found out it was a loser's job and sooned joined the autoworkers. A few more jobs came then, during layoffs, that were interesting, but nothing I'd want to retire from. I've done alright for myself, but can honestly say that I never looked forward to going to work, no matter what I did. If I could make the same money from home, I certainly would have. Not many get to do what they love best for a job.

 

[Lucy]

Do you know what it is in particular that you dislike about your job situation?? That's really the key, I would say. Getting a good fit between the person and the job makes all the difference.

 

[Driller]

My sister has changed jobs every 5 years. She does what she wants to in each and then shifts around. It's amazing to me, but like clockwork, she starts to get itchy in year 4, and after 5, she's moved on.

 

[JDgreen]

I spent the first 16 years in the auto industry worried about layoffs and the fact that I was unmarketable outside the system, though I had a job that I enjoyed, driving heavy equipment in a warehouse environment. I went into the skilled trades as an electrician at 38 years old. I ended up retiring as an electrician, but the job was not near as enjoyable as the one I left. It was simply a good move on my part as the auto industry is never quite on solid ground, and electricians are far more marketable than warehousemen.

I also spent a good many years in nowhere jobs that I hated, the second of which I thought, foolishly, was a viable trade. Found out it was a loser's job and sooned joined the autoworkers. A few more jobs came then, during layoffs, that were interesting, but nothing I'd want to retire from. I've done alright for myself, but can honestly say that I never looked forward to going to work, no matter what I did. If I could make the same money from home, I certainly would have. Not many get to do what they love best for a job.

I honestly admire those dedicated folks who can work from home, believe me, if I had been given the opportunity to work from home (although it would have been impossible in my hands-on type of career) I'd have a tough time not being sidetracked and goofing off.

 

[bret]

I am starting to organize things so I can work for myself. I have a repetitive job and I hate it, it takes all I have to show up each day, it is a chore to walk out the door.