I am class of 2006 and after I walked the stage at A&M I had the "now what" moment. Never really having a calling for a particular career I didn't know what to do. I had an old Ag recommend I look into becoming an insurance adjuster. So that's what I did, after around 5 years of adjusting I decided to move to the body shop side of things and write auto estimates. I now manage a collision center and make what I would consider decent money. The thing is I am miserable, paycheck aside, I truly hate my job. I have a wife and 2 kids and want to give them the best life I can. But being a couple months from 40 years old I have to think" is this going to be my career?" It will be depressing if I retire and my entire work life was a job I hated. So, I am strongly looking into changing careers in a couple years. Even if that means we have to adjust our lifestyle some. A) I need to find something I would enjoy doing, B) I want to financially be in a place to make less money if need be.

Any one have some life experience or advise about this?? Thanks!

What specifically about your current situation do you not like?

Would a different company in the same industry be different? A different role someplace in that same industry?

I'd try a couple of combos before I walked away from the value of your experience in that industry.

You probably want to make a "pro's and con's" type of chart, as well as what you would like to be doing and the management style you prefer.

1. What is your degree in?

2. Could you leverage that degree and your current experience into something different?

3. If you could do anything - what would it be?

Most of my job issues have been management style.. fewer have been what I've been doing.

Thanks guys for the input and I am going to think hard about the different options. I think it would be hard to walk away from experience gained over the years. There are other options in my industry. There is a lot of stress and things out of my control that drive me crazy. Positives are a decent paycheck and I am close to home. I live in a small town and being able to leave should my kids need something at school is big. Also not having a big commute is nice.

CajunAg06 said:

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Thanks guys for the input and I am going to think hard about the different options. I think it would be hard to walk away from experience gained over the years. There are other options in my industry. There is a lot of stress and things out of my control that drive me crazy. Positives are a decent paycheck and I am close to home. I live in a small town and being able to leave should my kids need something at school is big. Also not having a big commute is nice.

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There is stress in any job. You just have to figure out what type of stress you can handle.

Personally, I like an environment where they don't micromanage you and provide you with general guidelines with areas to be creative or flexible. Not knowing expectations or having to deal with immaturity is what stresses me out the most. Deadlines, etc. don't really stress me as much... I work fine in those types of situations provided I know expectations.

CajunAg06 said:

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Thanks guys for the input and I am going to think hard about the different options. I think it would be hard to walk away from experience gained over the years. There are other options in my industry. There is a lot of stress and things out of my control that drive me crazy. Positives are a decent paycheck and I am close to home. I live in a small town and being able to leave should my kids need something at school is big. Also not having a big commute is nice.

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Sounds like you just don't like the current gig due to things you can't control.

What are those things, and can you implement changes that would allow you to have greater control over them?

Changing careers at 40 would be pretty tough, IMO, especially if you're going to kick the can down the road and wait a few more years (for what exactly?).

Now, granted, I took a big leap last year and bought out my office/started my own business - but I wasn't alone have a great business partner who I had worked with for 6 years, and I'm in the exact same industry doing the same thing, just under a different name/title; even kept all 10 employees.

If you could open your own shop, is that something that would excite you and make it better? It might be crazy to think about, but could you buy your business out from the parent company (sounds like that's the way it is right now) - and would that give you more control over the things that stress you out.

Truth be told, that was a major factor for me - COVID showed me my then bosses true colors, and I did not like it. I was fed up and now I couldn't be happier with my position - as I can control most of the things that used to pissed me off and while I can't fix them all, I'm more in the know and share that with the right people.

OnlyForNow said:

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CajunAg06 said:

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Thanks guys for the input and I am going to think hard about the different options. I think it would be hard to walk away from experience gained over the years. There are other options in my industry. There is a lot of stress and things out of my control that drive me crazy. Positives are a decent paycheck and I am close to home. I live in a small town and being able to leave should my kids need something at school is big. Also not having a big commute is nice.

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Sounds like you just don't like the current gig due to things you can't control.

What are those things, and can you implement changes that would allow you to have greater control over them?

Changing careers at 40 would be pretty tough, IMO, especially if you're going to kick the can down the road and wait a few more years (for what exactly?).

Now, granted, I took a big leap last year and bought out my office/started my own business - but I wasn't alone have a great business partner who I had worked with for 6 years, and I'm in the exact same industry doing the same thing, just under a different name/title; even kept all 10 employees.

If you could open your own shop, is that something that would excite you and make it better? It might be crazy to think about, but could you buy your business out from the parent company (sounds like that's the way it is right now) - and would that give you more control over the things that stress you out.

Truth be told, that was a major factor for me - COVID showed me my then bosses true colors, and I did not like it. I was fed up and now I couldn't be happier with my position - as I can control most of the things that used to pissed me off and while I can't fix them all, I'm more in the know and share that with the right people.

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My company is owned by a husband and wife. I am in the process of trying to implement some changes with their help. Thankfully some are coming by circumstance( people who need to retire, are retiring soon). The thought of working a few more years is the realization by switching careers my income with vastly change. I am proud to say I am good enough at my current position that the pay is decent. Starting over NORMALLY mean starting over in salary too. I do not want my decision to affect my wife and children in their quality of life. There is zero chance they will sell out. I had the opportunity to purchase a shop and chose not too for various reasons. I also have have the thought of work is work. Its there for a purpose to make money and provide for my family. Every job has stresses and frustrations. Basically be a big boy and quit whining BUT if everyday you leave unhappy thats a lot of life each week/year unhappy.

I've certainly been in (and somewhat still are) the same position. I'm a few days away from turning 40 and switched careers about 3 years ago.

I worked for a family-owned janitorial & sanitation company for years moving up the ranks. I liked some things about my job but somethings not so much...certainly didn't hate it.

I wanted to work with software (specifically in sales) and couldn't get a decent opportunity (that paid well anyways) because I didn't have experience. So decided to take an opportunity that didn't pay much at all to get experience.

We're a family of 6...so that hurt and I'm just now getting back financially to where i was.

My suggestion would be, as others have said, find the specific things you do and don't like about the job and make a list.

It's a roll of the dice either way. If you're hard working and smart enough (sounds like you are based on your rise in the company) you'll do just as well in your next career.

The fact that you aren't planning to leave right away is good. It gives you some time to assess.

One thing you might think about doing is starting a side-gig in something that interests you (and could present a next career).

For instance, if real estate interests you, than spend some time with an agent (possible helping/learning) or even get your license and work on real estate on the side. If you like it and do well then it's an easy transition. My wife is an agent so i/we can tell you what to realistically expect if you're curious.

Last thing I'll say is it isn't 'impossible' to make a career change and take a massive pay cut. I would start reaching out to those in your network and putting feelers out there. Those that know you well are much more likely to pay you more than those that don't. Also, don't 'play down' to the fact you're switching careers and don't have the experience other candidates do to your potential employers. Know your worth, position yourself as such and push for what you want/need not what they're willing to give.

BigHD said:

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I've certainly been in (and somewhat still are) the same position. I'm a few days away from turning 40 and switched careers about 3 years ago.

I worked for a family-owned janitorial & sanitation company for years moving up the ranks. I liked some things about my job but somethings not so much...certainly didn't hate it.

I wanted to work with software (specifically in sales) and couldn't get a decent opportunity (that paid well anyways) because I didn't have experience. So decided to take an opportunity that didn't pay much at all to get experience.

We're a family of 6...so that hurt and I'm just now getting back financially to where i was.

My suggestion would be, as others have said, find the specific things you do and don't like about the job and make a list.

It's a roll of the dice either way. If you're hard working and smart enough (sounds like you are based on your rise in the company) you'll do just as well in your next career.

The fact that you aren't planning to leave right away is good. It gives you some time to assess.

One thing you might think about doing is starting a side-gig in something that interests you (and could present a next career).

For instance, if real estate interests you, than spend some time with an agent (possible helping/learning) or even get your license and work on real estate on the side. If you like it and do well then it's an easy transition. My wife is an agent so i/we can tell you what to realistically expect if you're curious.

Last thing I'll say is it isn't 'impossible' to make a career change and take a massive pay cut. I would start reaching out to those in your network and putting feelers out there. Those that know you well are much more likely to pay you more than those that don't. Also, don't 'play down' to the fact you're switching careers and don't have the experience other candidates do to your potential employers. Know your worth, position yourself as such and push for what you want/need not what they're willing to give.

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Great advise, I really appreciate it!! Honestly, besides talking to some people in my close circle, I haven't really done much towards making this a reality. I started this post hoping some Aggies could offer some good insight and yall haven't let me done!

Have you ever done anything other than automotive adjusting ? Home?

I hated my corporate gig. Not at first, but after 11 years and knowing my job had no other purpose for me than to get a check, it grated on me. I don't know many people that love their job, and if they do, they don't make much doing it. I thought that was normal until I found my current role. It turns out the things I hated about my other job were:

Being in an office
Not making my own schedule
Having a boss
Asking for vacation
Asking for raises
Not being paid what I thought I was worth

All of those are solved in my current role.

I agree with above about making a list of things you hate and see if you can correct them or find a role that addresses them elsewhere.