| In the wrong field |
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So I have recently started into a career in what is basically business to business sales. I spend my day travelling the area and trying to establish new accounts and maintain old ones. Anyways, I hate it. Sales is not the field for me. I would rather be bored, sitting in front of a computer from 9-5. So I have some questions: -What are some plausible careers that you don't need a degree specifically in that field for? -How about for a kinesiology major who doesn't want to coach or be a trainer? (I know that was a dumb major but I was planning on coaching, but can't really be a volunteer assistant or leave the area I am in right now for a job) -What do you do? How many jobs and what fields have you had? Are you happy with it? |
| Materials E |
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My son is a Pipe Fitter, 36 yo, he makes $125k year. |
| Panda Bear |
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Welcome to my life for the last 11 years. Trust me, you don't want this. 3 different jobs. Working 60-70 hours a week slaving over code and UI Design is no way to go through life...but I have no place to go, really...because this is what I am the most qualified to do and get paid the most to do it. My talent is here... ...but I'd rather run my own movie theater. That's MY dream... What were you inherently good at as a child? Math? Writing? Fishing? Building things? Give us something to work with here... |
| In the wrong field |
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I have always been logical, been able to solve problems, am well-spoken, score well on standard tests (act, gre, school, etc). I can also write and do mental math quite well. |
| Panda Bear |
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Counseling and Psychology come to mind immediately - if you genuinely care about people - but that requires extensive education. How about an Actuary?...might be boring though. You can take a test without (no degree required) and instantly find yourself employed. |
| real estate |
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I do small scale real estate development, investment, and management (residential, retail, and restaurant mostly). I like it because it's a field that requires a little bit of knowledge about a lot of things. You don't have to be an architect, but you need to understand the design process. You don't have to be a construction manager, but you have to understand the basics of construction. You don't have to be a financial wizard, but you have to have a solid grasp of finance, And so on. It's an entrepreneurial field that doesn't require a specific degree. In fact, a lot of the people who are involved in real estate are former doctors and engineers who wanted something to do after they retired. If you have any interest in the field, I can recommend a few books. |
| In the wrong field |
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Yea man, what are the books? I would be happy to give them a read-over while Im on the bike. The the guy who said actuary, I have heard the term but never looked into it. It actually looks pretty interesting. |
| real estate |
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For a basic intro to the field, I'd start out with The Real Estate Game by William Poorvu. It gives a pretty broad overview of the whole process from acquisition to operation to development to taking your money back out when it's time to sell. If you're still interested after that, I'd read Construction Funding: The Process of Real Estate Development, Appraisal, and Finance by Nathan Collier. Despite the name, it really covers the whole process of developing a site, not just the finance side. Both are well written and should be comprehensible for a newcomer to the field. Enjoy, and good luck. |
| crazy person |
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I am bored and sit in front a computer all day. Because I have the internet and I do a pretty good entertaining myself and get outside in a park during lunch, I get by. But no human should live that way for long. My talents, which are very similar to your talents, are not utilized at my job. In addition, the ceiling in my field is not very high. I also enjoy speaking in front of people, and the office barely allows for that, except at grueling meetings which nobody enjoys. The dilemma for me, which might be similar to yours: 1) slog it out for another couple years, pay to re-educate myself in a more appropriate, promising and enjoyable career; 2) learn how to generate passive income, investments, run a business; or 3) Drop the whole idea of logical, practical planning, and go after what I know is best for me while I'm young. Some older folks tell me that if I don't go after what I want when I'm young, I never will go after it. 4) Doing all of the above will be difficult if I want to stay in shape and have a dating life and still do some mild travelling. I came across an interesting idea today on the blog of the Dilbert creator, Scott Adams: "One of the big secrets to creativity is that you have to start walking before you decide where you're going. It's opposite of how you're raised to think." I find this idea interesting because the OP and I are attempting to take measured approaches to our futures. And I do not wish to run away from my income and risk my independence. So I could slog it out, take steps for a new career, be slightly miserable for a few years. However, if I do not take a risk with spending $$$ on a career shift or sound investing or pursuing the best fit for my talents, nothing will change in my life. Few things are more motivating to make changes than the reality of a long road of the exact same thing everyday. |
| Sales As Well |
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I do sales as well. I sell commercial inventory for a television station in Chicago. I actually make really good money for my age and it's not that difficult of a job. For the most part I do enjoy it. However, I do sit in front of a computer most of the day/week. I'm 28 and make more $ than anyone my age by a lot. This year I'll be at around $150k. I have A LOT of friends that don't make any money. But they also live it up. They're at the beach during the day while i'm at work. I know, they're stupid and all and have very little savings, but still makes me jealous. And then, I watch these TV shows like 'Million Dollar Rooms' and just can't fathom having that much money. I believe I'm smarter than most, but will never have that much money. What kind of jobs do these people have? I can't imagine a job that makes like a million dollars a year. How do you get that job???? |
| In the wrong field |
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bump |
| eFarmer |
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Is it a problem with what you are selling, or do you hate sales in general? I once heard someone say that if you believe in the product you are selling you will love your job and be successful. As for me, I've been working in various capacities in the IT industry for over 17 years. If I had it to do all over again I would definitely consider doing something else. At this point it would be difficult for me to change course. I have a wife and 3 kids to support, so I can't easily drop what I am currently doing. What would I really want to do? Build furniture. Hand made, custom furniture that you can't buy anywhere else. I currently do it in my spare time and love it. I could stay in my shop all day and make sawdust. Then when I was finished with the piece I could load it up, take it to the customer, and see them "ooohhh" and "aaaahhh" over it. I've done some of this work on the side and loved it. The problem is there isn't quite enough work to keep me busy full time, pay for health insurance, save for the kids' college educations, etc. I would rethink the idea that you would rather be bored and sit in front of a computer all day. I've done it for a long time now and there are times when I absolutely hate it. Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy and there are some rewarding aspects to my job, but the day in and day out of sitting and staring at your screen for 10 hours a day wears on you. |
| orbitboy |
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I'm a graphic designer. I don't recommend it. |
| vhjv |
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i want to bump this, but how do you bump threads? thanks! |
| In the wrong field |
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bump |
| try this |
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| crazy person |
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OP, if you want more responses, I would recommend changing the thread title. Something like: 1. In wrong career field. Advice for switching careers? 2. Anybody here ever make a total career shift? 3. Advice for changing career fields? Try again. |
| dartmoth graduate |
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I made a quarter mil last year just by day trading on the advice of LetsRun commenters. |
| In the wrong field |
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For the most part I need advice on what types of jobs are out there, and maybe a little about what they're like. I have applied to a number of athletic departments because I did a couple of internships while in grad school |