Need a little advice...

[BigJim13]

I am thinking hard of a career change. I have worked in the Mortgage/lending industry for the past 5 yrs. Part of my job is selling, part servicing and the worst part is collecting. I am burnt out. I don't like what I do anymore and need a career change, most importantly I don't like who I am at work.

Don't take this as whining, please! I am grateful to have a job but I don't see myself with the corp that I am with much longer. Partly me, partly because we are about to be sold off anytime now.

I guess my question is, if you had a choice in today's world what business or field would you go into?

I have an Associates degree now and would not be afraid to go back to school for my Bachelor's. I just need some ideas!

Originally I went to school planning to be a teacher of US History but one thing led to another and well, you know...

 

[Clugnut]

Working the fryolator, perhaps?

 

[BigJim13]

Working the fryolator, perhaps?

Been there, done that and honestly have given consideration to going back to it.

 

[Esox]

The mortgage industry is a shambles and a stressful place to be due to all the changes in the last year. I'm on the appraisal side, and while I'm paying my bills, there is no joy in the job, that's for sure. The long term prospects are not good, and my Wife and I both do it as we own our own company. Sucks.

I think teaching is a great profession. I have an English degree, and when I think how close I came 25 years ago to staying in school for another year or two and going through the education program I cringe with regret. Working nine months a year, playing golf all summer, making 40-80 K. It's a great gig.

I have a niece that is 25 who taught kindergarten and now is teaching 2nd grade. She is engaged to a guy that teaches fifth grade. They both plan on getting masters degrees and he wants to be a principal. Between them they make close to 90 K. They spent the summer doing whatever the hell they wanted, and within 10 years will have a combined income of well over $100,000, will work nine months a year, and have unbelievable health and retirement benefits. Job security is a given after four or five years on the job.

Here in Cheeseland, school districts often hire older people that decide to go into teaching. My wife has two friends that both got into teaching at around 40 years old.

If you have still have the desire to teach history, it could be a pretty cool change I would think.

Kevin

 

[BigJim13]

The mortgage industry is a shambles and a stressful place to be due to all the changes in the last year. I'm on the appraisal side, and while I'm paying my bills, there is no joy in the job, that's for sure. The long term prospects are not good, and my Wife and I both do it as we own our own company. Sucks.

I think teaching is a great profession. I have an English degree, and when I think how close I came 25 years ago to staying in school for another year or two and going through the education program I cringe with regret. Working nine months a year, playing golf all summer, making 40-80 K. It's a great gig.

I have a niece that is 25 who taught kindergarten and now is teaching 2nd grade. She is engaged to a guy that teaches fifth grade. They both plan on getting masters degrees and he wants to be a principal. Between them they make close to 90 K. They spent the summer doing whatever the hell they wanted, and within 10 years will have a combined income of well over $100,000, will work nine months a year, and have unbelievable health and retirement benefits. Job security is a given after four or five years on the job.

Here in Cheeseland, school districts often hire older people that decide to go into teaching. My wife has two friends that both got into teaching at around 40 years old.

If you have still have the desire to teach history, it could be a pretty cool change I would think.

Kevin

Thanks for the advice and the info. I have a HUGE passion for history, almost bigger than my passion for golf. I am just burnt out with the stress of not knowing if I will have a job from day to day. My job has slowly (over the last year) moved from more sales and service to mostly collections and it is just depressing. How can I tell a person they need to pay a loan vs. putting food on the table or a roof over their heads, I just can't, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

I may look into teaching some more. I think I would only need about 4 semesters if not less of school...I just am a little lost at the moment and I know I am not the only one.

 

[FATC1TY]

I think the education sector is a risky one, personally.

I know more than 8 people, of whom I'm in the smallest amount of contact with, who've been out of college for anywhere from 4 to just recently graduated, who have bachelors degrees, and they can't find ANYTHING in teaching. They can't even get a job teaching gym class, or special needs.

I know a girl who has a MASTERS, to be a school counselor... and can't get a job doing it.

The service and industrial sector is where it's at, or InfoSec.

I'm in the industrial textile industry, and as of the moment, my company is BOOMING. So busy, were almost at max capacity to even service our customers.

That said.. While you might hate your job, if you don't have the luxury of being unemployed for a while, I'd say stay put, but keep your ear to the ground for better stuff. I personally, couldn't see just quitting and risking falling behind and in a hole because I didn't have my head or heart into my job.

 

[BigJim13]

I think the education sector is a risky one, personally.

I know more than 8 people, of whom I'm in the smallest amount of contact with, who've been out of college for anywhere from 4 to just recently graduated, who have bachelors degrees, and they can't find ANYTHING in teaching. They can't even get a job teaching gym class, or special needs.

I know a girl who has a MASTERS, to be a school counselor... and can't get a job doing it.

The service and industrial sector is where it's at, or InfoSec.

I'm in the industrial textile industry, and as of the moment, my company is BOOMING. So busy, were almost at max capacity to even service our customers.

That said.. While you might hate your job, if you don't have the luxury of being unemployed for a while, I'd say stay put, but keep your ear to the ground for better stuff. I personally, couldn't see just quitting and risking falling behind and in a hole because I didn't have my head or heart into my job.

Definitely not just going to quit without something lined up, just needed a few ideas as to what might be good to get into...

 

[limpalong]

I agree with the one poster. Would be quite cautious about the teaching field. We're in a university town. Lots of college grads can't find jobs in the teaching profession because of cutbacks in education funding.

Personally, I've spent 40 years in the water/wastewater industry. Have never been out of work. And, have seen more than the latest difficult times in the nation's economy. Seems like folks always seem to think they need water to drink or need to flush toilets. There are some fairly good jobs in this industry having to do with finance and accounting. Each and every project needs funding. There are a number of bonding and financing entities out there that deal in municipal projects. With a financial background, you might be able to find something there.

The other fairly stable industry is the grocery business. Folks like to eat... when they can afford it. The large grocery chains have continued to do well in this economic downturn. However, it can be difficult to find good paying jobs in the grocery business. Many of those jobs are on the lower end of the pay scale.

Regardless, good luck in whatever you decide career wise.

 

[SilverUberXeno]

Be a road worker!

Stand around all day, make more money than a college graduate, and have your paychecks signed by Robin Hood.

 

[Wi-Golfer]

I have been in the plastics industry now for 21 years & honestly enjoy it. I like my job & like going to work.

If I had a freakin time machine though I would do it differently & take my moms offer of her paying for any collegs I wanted to go to. For some reason the idea of being a lawyer has always appealed to me.

 

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Law Enforcement.

 

[FATC1TY]

I will say.. doing something LEO wise is smart, or something medical. I know Atlanta for instance, the city is going to hire 150 new recruits, alot of major cities are doing the same.

Get your EMT training. Ride in an ambulance... Work in a fire station..

It's quick to learn, quick to work, and it's a rewarding experience. I have several close friends who are EMT/Fire. They enjoy the schedules and work.

 

[xamilo]

U.S. History Teacher?????

Wow that would have been an awesome job! I have always loved history....

 

[MCDavis]

BigJim would be a great name for a porn star.

Don't teach public school if you need a lot of money. My wife's a teacher...my mid-level hourly construction workers make more than she does...my top guys make way more.

 

[DaveE]

I have been in the plastics industry now for 21 years & honestly enjoy it. I like my job & like going to work.

If I had a freakin time machine though I would do it differently & take my moms offer of her paying for any collegs I wanted to go to. For some reason the idea of being a lawyer has always appealed to me.

Me too. Back in the 80s I almost went back and did it. I had a sales job with lots of free time and I even took the LSAT. About 4 weeks before the first semester the company offered me a nice promotion and I took it. Three years and another promotion later I was downsized. Oops.

A couple of nights ago for no real reason I googled online law schools and to my surprise there are some. Who knows.