Making a drastic job switch

[David]

Any of u here who has done so or wish to do so? As in for eg, u were once a teacher, then decided to go into insurance. Or you were once trained in engineering then decided to go into finance or counselling?

Juz for kopitiam discussion... If so, what motivated you to do so? Lousy working condition, finally decided to pursue your passions, bored with job, etc? Any resistance from friends and family members? How do you cope after that?

 

[Galdor]

I was studying Front Office Operations from Shatec (it's a certificate course only) and now I'm working in the Financial sector. I still feel that the Hotel industry is more fun to work in but the pay is awfully low for the lower positions.

 

[dominator]

After graduating, I started off as Landscape+Pond coordinator. Mainly doing landscape works which includes planting, ponds or water features building + design.
Now???
100% switch and working in Engineering field.
:devil:

 

[raincool2005]

i had a fren studied finance and now working in an foreign bank as a department head, guess what ? he had to help his CEO to carry golf equipment under burning hot sun, set up CEO's new computer in office and help to carry shopping bags for the CEO's wife in Taka during office hours... ! he is paid 5k a month.. but no life.

He did not do a drastic job switch, his switch is already switched " internally ".

 

[Deadpoet]

i had a fren studied finance and now working in an foreign bank as a department head, guess what ? he had to help his CEO to carry golf equipment under burning hot sun, set up CEO's new computer in office and help to carry shopping bags for the CEO's wife in Taka during office hours... ! he is paid 5k a month.. but no life.

He did not do a drastic change, his change is already switched " internally ".

what department might that be?

 

[Big Kahuna]

Switching industry maybe, but switching line is too drastic and too late for me....now look see very hard on every Saturday's paper :lovegrin:

 

[ortega]

it is never too late for change

change in inevitable

i have worked in:

McD
Italian Ice Cream shop
Construction site
Junk mail
Despatch rider
Metal workshop
helmet custom painting
7-11
waiter
photographer's assistant
photographer
graphic designer
art director
studio manager

 

[amateur_photographer]

i had a fren studied finance and now working in an foreign bank as a department head, guess what ? he had to help his CEO to carry golf equipment under burning hot sun, set up CEO's new computer in office and help to carry shopping bags for the CEO's wife in Taka during office hours... ! he is paid 5k a month.. but no life.

He did not do a drastic job switch, his switch is already switched " internally ".

I don't mind taking over his job (and his pay, of course) :lovegrin:

 

[Del_CtrlnoAlt]

Ya me...

Once was wiping backsides (ironically, only for newborns) then now wipe metal... but still got sh!t lah, hokkien call Ti Sai...

low skilled worker here...

 

[David]

i had a fren studied finance and now working in an foreign bank as a department head, guess what ? he had to help his CEO to carry golf equipment under burning hot sun, set up CEO's new computer in office and help to carry shopping bags for the CEO's wife in Taka during office hours... ! he is paid 5k a month.. but no life.

He did not do a drastic job switch, his switch is already switched " internally ".

Wow, for 5k and doing those things... I thot he'd be earning >$10k, especially in foreign bank!

I'm itching for a change after more than 7 years of working...

 

[bernardy4416]

Any of u here who has done so or wish to do so? As in for eg, u were once a teacher, then decided to go into insurance. Or you were once trained in engineering then decided to go into finance or counselling?

Juz for kopitiam discussion... If so, what motivated you to do so? Lousy working condition, finally decided to pursue your passions, bored with job, etc? Any resistance from friends and family members? How do you cope after that?

Never done that myself. Changed jobs, but within the same field.

Know a few people who did what you are currently contemplating, but they were young, single, and came from well-to-do families. It's good to take affirmative action in order to pursue your dreams, but one still has to pay the bills.

Many variables come into play prior to making such a decision. Financial situation (eg: loans, family needs, retirement fund, savings, life-style, etc...), viability of the new venture, capital, personal satisfaction.....make your pick.

Best advice? Look before you leap. No rash decisions. Have a good back-up strategy if things do not work out the way you want them to.

Good luck :thumbsup:


Bernard

 

[yanyewkay]

me.. from engineering into sales/marketing in near future..

 

[Petf69]

once CSer changed from banker to fully time photographer....

 

[David]

once CSer changed from banker to fully time photographer....

Wow... Who ah? ;p


Thanks Bernard for the advice.

 

[azul123]

I personally have not done so but I have a close friend whose siblings are all doctors and surgeons, he too was studying to become a doctor, but had some issues with his dad and to spite him he switched to another field.

Actually, he turned out better than any of his siblings, he is VP of a US MNC and drawing much better salary (guessing from the houses he has and car he drives) and better perks all around as well.

So, sometimes taking risk pays but the key word is "sometimes".

../azul123

 

[Prismatic]

I think it's easier to switch while you are young or early in your career. At least you aren't too attached to your job or have any commitments to worry about. One optimistic view for fresh grads when they switch to another industry is that, whatever lousy grades they got in school becomes irrelevant, so your potential employers will look out more for other references, their working attitude, natural skills etc. But of course, sometimes it's hard because you will probably be competing with others who are more specialised in the field.

 

[simon80]

it is never too late for change

change in inevitable

i have worked in:

McD
Italian Ice Cream shop
Construction site
Junk mail
Despatch rider
Metal workshop
helmet custom painting
7-11
waiter
photographer's assistant
photographer
graphic designer
art director
studio manager

are u including jobs from teens till now ?

 

[sORe-EyEz]

i will b switching 2 being jobless soon.

wad a way 2 start a new yr... ;(

 

[Geckorian]

i will b switching 2 being jobless soon.

wad a way 2 start a new yr... ;(

Huh what happen to your job sorez?

 

[bernardy4416]

Wow... Who ah? ;p


Thanks Bernard for the advice.

Hi David,

no problem, been in your situation approximately 2 yrs ago. Toyed with the idea of changing from medical to pharmaceuticals for a while Decided not to as Prismatic has so aptly put it, I'll be "competing with others who are more specialised in the field". Work experience counts, and every year makes a difference. For the guys out there, just look at the 2 year advantage (SAF service) of our female collegues in terms of job experience, earning potential and promotions.

All of us probably know a few people who have made the switch successfully. However, please keep in mind those who failed.

A couple of my ex-collegues did it:

Case 1: Medical to commercial pilot. Rich family. Young when he decided to switch. Medical background to fall back on.

Case 2: Medical to stock-broker. Very rich family. Again, young when he made that decision. Again, medical iron-rice-bowl vocation to fall back on.

I guess there's no harm trying something that you've always wanted to do in life. Nonetheless, it would be prudent to have enough savings to live off for a while, as well as an exit strategy should things go awry.

All the best :thumbsup:


Bernard