Finding that perfect Career...is it out there??

754 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by brianS, Jan 18, 2011

dewalltheway

Discussion Starter · Jan 18, 2011

I am not sure if this thread is more for me to vent my frustrations and express my dreams or to get some positive feedback or for someone to tell me to wake up and smell the coffee, but will continue anyways....

For about 6 months now, my job (which I am truly thankful for in an economy we are in right now) has become one that I dread each and every day. The work environment and most of the people are so unsocialable and inconsiderate and the owner is just so indecisive and changes his mind constently. I came in doing drafting work, which I like to do, but for the past 1-2 years have been put into quoting and estimating which I am getting burnt out on. (Please understand that I like to learn different things so I am more valuable to the company and has helped me understand our product better) So I guess that leads me today....

Have you ever longed for a "Career", not a "Job", that you could wake up to each day and be exicited about? One that people ask, "Do they really pay you to do that?" Or just one that you enjoy the people you work for and find satisfaction in your accomplishments at the end of the day that make you feel good about yourself and what you did.

I always thought that the more money you made at a job the more satisfaction you would feel about what you did but that to me is not the case these days. Although money is nice and essential for living, enjoying what you do and having a feeling of satisfaction at the end of the day is what I long for and feel is more important then the amount of money you make. I also understand that there is no job that won't have their bad days, or run into a person that treats you like crap or have frustrations of some kind but to have these elements everyday is not right.

So I asked myself, "What is it that you enjoy doing that you could do as a career?" My answer....something to do with the aquarium hobby. I love messing around with my aquariums and trying to come up with new scapes or better filtration ideas and giving advice to a friend of mine on his aquarium. I find joy, satisfaction and tranquility in aquariums.

BUT....am I trying to live in a fantasy world thinking that a man my age can support a family doing aquarium work? Do I think that I can find a job that I love doing and still support a family? I mean, get real...I am not a 17 year old that can work at your local pet store in the fish department!! Wake up Mark!!! Life sucks so you better get used to it! Only a handful of people will find a dream job, really enjoy their work and get satisfaction from it plus be able to support a family.

As I stated at the beginning, I needed to vent and share my thoughts and if you would like to comment, or need to vent or share your dreams, please feel free to do so in this thread.

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joshh

· #2 · Jan 18, 2011

I'm sure everyone has these things come to mind. It did for me when I was in college a couple years back. I was going into Engineering when I just snapped out of it and said I didn't want to do this for the rest of my life. I started drafting classes in middle school and being that age I wanted to make a lot of money when I "grow up". I didn't want to make my hobby of drawing into a career.
I was lucky though. After quitting college I was invited to California by a cousin of mine to see what it was like for digital artist. I enjoyed every moment I was there learning the beginners rope. I had drawn all my life and want to leave it that way

But by doing this my financial situation is not very pretty haha. I have to work everyday to manage and save bit by bit for art school. I don't regret it though, I love it.

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wkndracer

· #3 · Jan 18, 2011

Get a cup of coffee

I've been in the military, engineering (drafting and materials testing), Ran the family construction business (12-14 core employees) for 7 years after my father retired. Worked industrial maintenance doing shut down / outage work on power plants then in 2000 I was offered a full time position with a major utility. (Still there)
I’ve reached the ‘I hate this place’ point a dozen times. The mismanagement, lack of common sense, the ‘all about me’ types, the liars, thieves, lazy and crazy we have them all.
Two years ago my outlook changed when I made up my mind to make the only difference I could. I’m nice everyday no matter what comes. Help people in other departments, help the laborers roll up hoses, mechanics moving equipment, the office staff clearing a paper jam in the printer or moving reams of paper, whatever and whoever. Offer a kind word to the chronic grumpy (it bothers them over time LOL). There are two people out here who everyone say hate the whole world and both now say good morning to me and others have noticed and asked about it. After about three months I started looking forward going in again. A crappy work environment is only as bad as you let it get (but it takes effort at first).
I still live with a drive to get my job done but also to make SOMEBODY smile.

Hope you find your peace.

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kevmo911

· #4 · Jan 18, 2011

I suppose you've tried asking your boss to switch your responsibilities back over to something you enjoy? Starting over in a new job might be what you end up doing, but that carries several negatives with it (probably lower salary, restarting your retirement package, and a possibly frustrating period of learning the new ropes, for example). If you could possibly arrange to do more of something you enjoy at your current job, you may find that you enjoy the environment and people around you much more than you currently do.

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brianS

· #5 · Jan 18, 2011

No, I don't think you're living in a fantasy world however, I do believe that a man with a family does need to be realistic. I believe that you can be realistic, and still go after your dreams. I was 37 when I made my career change and chased after my dream...still chasing it, too. That was 6 years ago, and I'm happy to say that I'm VERY happy with what I'm doing and I support my family very well. Nothing is too far out of reach if you have goals to get there. If you want to pursue a career in this field, and really think that you would enjoy it, then I'd say don't hold anything back. Set some goals to get there, but I think a good idea would be to latch onto someone who's in this field, and has been doing it for awhile...a role model, so to speak. A job is not just a job if you really enjoy what you're doing, and put your heart into it. Reach for the stars, Mark! Go for it... just have a back up plan, and find a role model that you can learn from. I think that you are in a very unique position in life, one where YOU have a choice of doing whatever you want to do. There are so many people that don't get to where you are.... they stay with their some 'ol boring job, thinking that they're stuck and there's no where else to go. You, my friend are in a wonderful position of WANTING to make a change for the better.

Keep us updating...I personally would love to hear your success story of changing career into something that you love.

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GitMoe

· #6 · Jan 18, 2011

Lost my job in July, been unemployed since then. I work now delivering pizzas (which is actually more lucrative than people realize). Couldn't find a job I was qualified for that I wanted and I had ZERO interest in going back to food services management. I had been a General Manager/Regional Operator for Papa Johns for the last 5 years. Finally decided to say F it and Im starting college again tomorrow for Web Development. Something I really enjoy. Luckily my wife makes enough money to really pay all our bills and my income is somewhat supplemental.

Im taking advantage of our situation and turning my 6 months of unemployed misery into a positive. Just figure out what's the best solution for yourself. There's no right answer anybody else can give you...

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dewalltheway

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 18, 2011

wkndracer said:
I've been in the military, engineering (drafting and materials testing), Ran the family construction business (12-14 core employees) for 7 years after my father retired. Worked industrial maintenance doing shut down / outage work on power plants then in 2000 I was offered a full time position with a major utility. (Still there)
I’ve reached the ‘I hate this place’ point a dozen times. The mismanagement, lack of common sense, the ‘all about me’ types, the liars, thieves, lazy and crazy we have them all.
Two years ago my outlook changed when I made up my mind to make the only difference I could. I’m nice everyday no matter what comes. Help people in other departments, help the laborers roll up hoses, mechanics moving equipment, the office staff clearing a paper jam in the printer or moving reams of paper, whatever and whoever. Offer a kind word to the chronic grumpy (it bothers them over time LOL). There are two people out here who everyone say hate the whole world and both now say good morning to me and others have noticed and asked about it. After about three months I started looking forward going in again. A crappy work environment is only as bad as you let it get (but it takes effort at first).
I still live with a drive to get my job done but also to make SOMEBODY smile.

Hope you find your peace.

I have actually tried to do this but got discouraged to quick when people wouldn't say hi or acted like it hurt them to say hi. I think what really started this ball rolling is back on Nov., my wife and I had a baby girl and when I came into work the next day I had only a handful of people ask me about her and my boss, only as he passed by my door, said congrats, but never asked anything else about her or my wife. Then, my bosses wife, who is the vice president, to this day has not said one word to me about her!

kevmo911 said:
I suppose you've tried asking your boss to switch your responsibilities back over to something you enjoy? Starting over in a new job might be what you end up doing, but that carries several negatives with it (probably lower salary, restarting your retirement package, and a possibly frustrating period of learning the new ropes, for example). If you could possibly arrange to do more of something you enjoy at your current job, you may find that you enjoy the environment and people around you much more than you currently do.

All these things have entered my mind. I have only switched jobs once in my life and it is a pain. I have not asked him to switch because I do not want to give him a reason to lay me off and when you get laid off around here, you don't come back!

brianS said:
No, I don't think you're living in a fantasy world however, I do believe that a man with a family does need to be realistic. I believe that you can be realistic, and still go after your dreams. I was 37 when I made my career change and chased after my dream...still chasing it, too. That was 6 years ago, and I'm happy to say that I'm VERY happy with what I'm doing and I support my family very well. Nothing is too far out of reach if you have goals to get there. If you want to pursue a career in this field, and really think that you would enjoy it, then I'd say don't hold anything back. Set some goals to get there, but I think a good idea would be to latch onto someone who's in this field, and has been doing it for awhile...a role model, so to speak. A job is not just a job if you really enjoy what you're doing, and put your heart into it. Reach for the stars, Mark! Go for it... just have a back up plan, and find a role model that you can learn from. I think that you are in a very unique position in life, one where YOU have a choice of doing whatever you want to do. There are so many people that don't get to where you are.... they stay with their some 'ol boring job, thinking that they're stuck and there's no where else to go. You, my friend are in a wonderful position of WANTING to make a change for the better.

Keep us updating...I personally would love to hear your success story of changing career into something that you love.

Brian, Thx for the encouraging words! My problem.....I am afraid to take risks!! Here is where I stand....I am 39 years old, I have 3 daughters who are 19 (getting married this summer), 17 (junior in HS) and a 2 month old (YES..I said 2 MONTHS!) My wife is a stay at home mom, so my income is all we have. I have 7 years in the place I am currently employed. But, like Joshh came to realize, I can't do this job for the next 25-30 years, no way! But where can I find a career in aquarium work that will pay me what I need or who will hire a 39 year old?? Like you said Brian, I feel as though I am trapped with no way out! :icon_sad:

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wkndracer

· #8 · Jan 18, 2011

Don't let them beat you

dewalltheway said:
I have actually tried to do this but got discouraged to quick when people wouldn't say hi or acted like it hurt them to say hi. I think what really started this ball rolling is back on Nov., my wife and I had a baby girl and when I came into work the next day I had only a handful of people ask me about her and my boss, only as he passed by my door, said congrats, but never asked anything else about her or my wife. Then, my bosses wife, who is the vice president, to this day has not said one word to me about her!

I feel as though I am trapped with no way out! :icon_sad:

Been there, and felt kicked by the indifference of the self-centered as well but don’t let them drag you down to that level with them. If you’re better than that, then be better than that. It doesn’t make a difference overnight, takes time. Doing this is doing it for you not them. I have pride in my son, my eleven year old son will run ahead to open doors for older people (almost a game), bags groceries for them at the checkout lane beside my wife and I because the stores don’t have ‘bag boys’ anymore. That impact means more to me than anything else. We can only change the effect of what seems to be the current societies ‘me’ impact on ourselves not others. The ‘me’ people have most of the world but we don’t have to give it to them.

Many may feel it’s stupid but being nice doesn’t cost me anything and I sleep very well at night. I don’t roll over for the rude and will call an idiot just that (but it takes more these days to get that out of me).

Look for something that makes you smile. Good luck and I hope you find a better day.

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brianS

· #9 · Jan 18, 2011

I think that we are describing just about every success story that's been named. Fear of taking risks is only natural. We humans don't like change very much, and I think it's more of a fear of failure that keeps up from pursuing our dreams. Muscles get stronger by running, jumping, lifting, by stressing them out and pushing them. Not by sitting on the couch. Point being... you've got to push your comfort level in order to grow. You will not succeed if you do not take risks. Almost all great successors quit the traditional to pursue their dreams. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dropped out of college to pursue theirs. The list goes on... I think you get my drift. Society won't encourage you to quit your day job to pursue a dream, but it sure does celebrate someone who does succeed at doing it. I'm not saying quit your job, but I am saying build a plan, make a goal...a simple goal that will get you one step closer to your dream. Even if it's picking up a book that defines this business that you love, or a phone call to someone that's been doing it for a while. You'll never know until you do it...something, just do it. Exercise your courage muscles by taking a small risk at a time.

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