Career changing?

Ren said:
Hi Klawin,

People have already been giving you really good advice. I encourage you to check out this video, a few years ago it really got me thinking about my own situation at the time:


Other than that, when it comes to making a choice, I would say maybe focus on degrees with which you can reasonably expect to find employment. Good luck.
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Thanks for the video, I've watched it and it kind of resonates
 
I sympathize completely; I guess my general advice is to weigh at least pretty heavily whether you can't treat your job as a job, and do more interesting things outside it -- and that includes intellectual stimulation.

Now, if you are able to find an interesting job that also pays well enough for your needs, there's really no dilemma. I'd say going back to school if it has a very high chance of yielding that career is not a problem/probably just go for it without too much hesitation if you think you want to.

But if you're going back to school for a degree that's unlikely to yield a sustainable career, I'd only do that if the time spent doing the degree would be intrinsically valuable enough without yielding career oriented fruit. And that's where you have to factor in that you could spend time studying and thinking outside of work (nowadays there are also tons of online communities where people are discussing things for many subjects you may care about, so you also needn't be alone -- you might even meet people you can spend time with in person discussing these things, if that's something you'd like).
With that factored in, you might or might not feel the semi-derailment of course to go get a new degree is worth it. It's certainly a more focused, streamlined thing, so there are reasons to do it. But at some point, I think people in academia end up doing their own thing/it's not necessarily super related to their schooling. So, mimicking that, just starting carrying on your own thoughts outside work would help.

Now something to also factor in here is I'm used to fields that are just pen/paper like (theoretical, not applied) mathematics, philosophy, etc. There's really no lab equipment/equivalent. So carrying out one's work outside of a formal job setting is quite feasible there -- harder for, say a lab science, engineering, etc. However, that issue seems somewhat self-correcting: the more of an 'applied' element there is to it, vs being pure theory, the more likely you might be to find a job that pays well doing it.
 
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charlatan said:
I sympathize completely; I guess my general advice is to weigh at least pretty heavily whether you can't treat your job as a job, and do more interesting things outside it -- and that includes intellectual stimulation.

Now, if you are able to find an interesting job that also pays well enough for your needs, there's really no dilemma. I'd say going back to school if it has a very high chance of yielding that career is not a problem/probably just go for it without too much hesitation if you think you want to.

But if you're going back to school for a degree that's unlikely to yield a sustainable career, I'd only do that if the time spent doing the degree would be intrinsically valuable enough without yielding career oriented fruit. And that's where you have to factor in that you could spend time studying and thinking outside of work (nowadays there are also tons of online communities where people are discussing things for many subjects you may care about, so you also needn't be alone -- you might even meet people you can spend time with in person discussing these things, if that's something you'd like).
With that factored in, you might or might not feel the semi-derailment of course to go get a new degree is worth it. It's certainly a more focused, streamlined thing, so there are reasons to do it. But at some point, I think people in academia end up doing their own thing/it's not necessarily super related to their schooling. So, mimicking that, just starting carrying on your own thoughts outside work would help.

Now something to also factor in here is I'm used to fields that are just pen/paper like (theoretical, not applied) mathematics, philosophy, etc. There's really no lab equipment/equivalent. So carrying out one's work outside of a formal job setting is quite feasible there -- harder for, say a lab science, engineering, etc. However, that issue seems somewhat self-correcting: the more of an 'applied' element there is to it, vs being pure theory, the more likely you might be to find a job that pays well doing it.
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Thanks for your suggestion. That is an issue i am considering about. I'm just worried that i might end up unemployed after schooling and even worse with debt.
 
Don't expect too much from yourself. That gets tiring real fast. Just do what you can do without thinking too much about what you "should" be doing.
 
Fuyuko said:
Don't expect too much from yourself. That gets tiring real fast. Just do what you can do without thinking too much about what you "should" be doing.
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Thanks.. indeed i do feel very tired everyday with all these thoughts running in my head
 
Klawin T said:
Hi, I'm turning 30 and I'm having a major crisis.
I've been working a normal 9-5 corporate job for few years now and i don't feel any personal growth / no promotion / repetitive boring tasks everyday etc. up to a point where i feel depressed and have no motivation to live my life. I just don't see myself belonging here...

I did consider about going back to school as i think it's the only way out but the problem is i can't really decide which major to take on. Kind of did some research on my own...

Health Science, Healthcare ( occupational therapist?, physician assistant? )
Nursing
Biology ( field is kind of broad )
Computer Science ( feels kind of boring to me )

Anyone who's able to share some experience or shed some light...
I would really appreciate anyone who's willing to give some advice.
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Klawin T,

I've spent more years in academia than out of it. It wasn't till I got 'super-radical' that I started being happy. So, what 'super-radical' thing did I do? I went in a whole other direction. A direction that, back in my old days of being a snob and self-righteous prick, I used to think poorly of much of the time. I threw-out my efforts to walk in the various religious circles I used to travel. I stopped practicing law unless someone asked for help. I stopped being on various educational councils. I just stopped talking to almost all people, period. About 4 or so months later, I decided to learn a hands-on skill. Something years before, I considered 'blue-collar' and beneath me. I was taught by my family to be a self-righteous prick all my life--but it not once felt right to me. I felt terrible thinking and feeling that way. I decided right then-and- there, snobbery, self-righteousness, and all that nonsense had to go. I had to strive to humble myself. And, right after I had a crisis of conscience, I blurted-out at Synagogue certain things and was cast-out and disowned by my family (not including my wife and kids). I made the radical decision to do something WAY OUTSIDE my comfort-zone (if I ever had a comfort-zone in the first-place). I decided to attend a vocational-school. I was miserable, I HAD to do something. I wanted to be happy for once in my life. And so, vocational-school was the choice I made.

And I realized, after I took a vocational-school programme, that I actually loved it. I remember, I smiled for the first-time since the birth of my youngest. I'm not particularly-skilled in physical things, but I'm not too shabby either. And, as a side-bonus, I work for myself, on my schedule, when I want. And, after God (and my wife, she'd say), I've got no boss! Either way, degrees don't guarantee anything. If you can actually get a job at all in the field of your choice, there is no guarantee you'll be happy in it. Since that time, on a regular basis, I take vocational trainings and learn new things. My eldest kids are teenagers. Yet, for some reason, they love hanging-out with dad. My teenagers are daughters. They are always busy, yet, my second-born daughter sat next to me one day and said, "Dad, I really want to learn guitar! Wanna learn with me? Side-by-side!?" I smiled and said, "Absolutely, my Love, absolutely!" :-D

My advise, discover what inspires you to be your best self, and love yourself, and others. Discover what you live for, what makes you want to get out of bed with joy, and look forward to the day! When we only do what inspires us with our life, then we are motivated, and when we are motivated, we are disciplined. And when we are disciplined, we don't mind the set-backs so much, because we believe so much in what we do each day, that we view the rougher moments with some degree of stoic-calm, knowing, it'll be alright. We'll discipline ourselves, yes, but it won't feel like discipline, it will feel like success and a joyful life!

Wanna be happy in life? Keep it simple. Happiness really is in the little things! :-D
 
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There are such people that exist called "career counselors". You should look one of those up.
They have great resources to help you answer a lot of the questions you're asking here
as well as the resources to guide you in a direction you'll enjoy and that uses your skills
you already have to your advantage. It's literally their job to help people find the right
niche for them. Make sure to research their background first so you're not paying for
some bullshit and they actually have credentials and not some sketchy website.

It doesn't sound like you know what direction you want to move in which is why
I am suggesting the career counselor. You mentioned going back to school but if
you already have one degree then you're going to mostly need to only take major classes
and if you don't know what you want to major in then you're going to be wasting money
which is totally your cool but if you're from the US I would not advise paying tuition just
for fun as this often means accruing massive debt. That would likely compound and
add more stress.

I recently went back to school and I do not regret it. Also worth mentioning I am roughly your
age. Ironically I changed my field of study once I went back. I realized within the first
semester I wanted to change focus from economics to maths. Luckily one of the classes I was
taking that semester was a math class I signed up for for fun (I already went to school before
so have all the core requirements done) so I didn't waste all my tuition that semester
on classes not pertinent to my actual degree. This being said, if you do decide you
want to go back to school, maybe find a community college and take a cheaper class
in the fields you're interested in to see if you're interested beyond just a google search.
 
Ren said:
Clue: the French slang word is connected to the US slang word, albeit not synonymous.

Let's say a French pipe involves a US pipe :smirk:
Click to expand...
God bless urban dictionary, you filthy animal.
 
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Reactions: Ren
I recommend getting as much education as you can, really becoming an expert on something applicable to the real world like computer science, engineering, mathematics, or medicine.

You're also not too old to join the armed forces and that's much better than life working for a corporation.
 
Bird said:
There are such people that exist called "career counselors". You should look one of those up.
They have great resources to help you answer a lot of the questions you're asking here
as well as the resources to guide you in a direction you'll enjoy and that uses your skills
you already have to your advantage. It's literally their job to help people find the right
niche for them. Make sure to research their background first so you're not paying for
some bullshit and they actually have credentials and not some sketchy website.

It doesn't sound like you know what direction you want to move in which is why
I am suggesting the career counselor. You mentioned going back to school but if
you already have one degree then you're going to mostly need to only take major classes
and if you don't know what you want to major in then you're going to be wasting money
which is totally your cool but if you're from the US I would not advise paying tuition just
for fun as this often means accruing massive debt. That would likely compound and
add more stress.

I recently went back to school and I do not regret it. Also worth mentioning I am roughly your
age. Ironically I changed my field of study once I went back. I realized within the first
semester I wanted to change focus from economics to maths. Luckily one of the classes I was
taking that semester was a math class I signed up for for fun (I already went to school before
so have all the core requirements done) so I didn't waste all my tuition that semester
on classes not pertinent to my actual degree. This being said, if you do decide you
want to go back to school, maybe find a community college and take a cheaper class
in the fields you're interested in to see if you're interested beyond just a google search.
Click to expand...

Never thought about career counselors before, will consider that.
I had no degree, I'm educated to diploma level which is why i think i don't have any chance of career development
or maybe it's just the bad company I'm working for.
I wanted to study because i strongly feel like its something i owe myself to
and i wanted a career not just wasting my life doing something i have no particular interest in.
 
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