Drastic career changes

Although I'm not yet near the burn out stage in my career, factors such as incompetent managers, inconsiderate co-workers, and the unrealistic demands of the general public are starting to wear on me.

For the first time, I've begun to bring my work frustration home with me and have nightmares about it. I love my job and can't imagine anything more fulfilling, but if I have to leave, I want to do so on good terms. I'm thinking of leaving now while I'm still feeling mostly positive about it.

Anyone else experienced a complete change of careers? And have you done so with a drastic pay cut?

I left a well paying corporate job with very nice benefits to move North and work with kids. Right now, I make about 1/3 of what I made before. I don't have any benefits at this point. At times I get a little panicky, but I have never had a more rewarding job. Finally I am doing what I have always wanted to do instead of a job I moved up into before realizing I was miserable. Now if I could just get a personal life again, all would be good.

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I have thought about leaving my profession and joining the Rent tour.

Dump him! (just joking)

There are some days, like this past weekend when I would prefer to send them all packing!

Wink: just for you. Found this on msn.careerbuilder. If the link doesn't work, go to the careerbuilder website and search for the article, "Help! I'm Stuck in the Wrong Career"

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Updated On: 4/11/06 at 11:51 AM

I spent six years in finance before I finally got up the nerve to get the hell out. Currently I wait tables and work in an art gallery. The money is a lot less, but as BrianWilsonFan said, you can't put a price on peace of mind.

I'd advise you to bank some money before you many any sort of change, as well as making sure you've got something lined up.

The things is, it doesn't really sound like you want to make a career change. It just sounds like you're having problmes currently at your job.

Is there any way to work on the problems you have at your job, rather than quit? You said you love your job and you can't imagine doing anything more fulfilling. If that's the case, I'd strongly advise you to try to fix the problem from within, rather than doing something drastic.

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Updated On: 4/11/06 at 05:26 PM

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I've been trying to work on solutions to the barriers I percieve and have actually been commended for bringing about some of the changes in my job. But I feel the confrontations for better working solutions are usually up to me and no one jumps on the bandwagon until I stick my neck out first.

I think it's just a matter of how much longer I can withstand a few particular situations. I have a meeting with someone higher up in management than me on Friday morning, and I'm hoping to enlist some support from her.

So many of my job frustrations are out of my control, but at the same time can easily be remedied. I guess I'll start building my case yet again over the next few days.

All I really want is better patient care and lately I feel the health care team is breaking down.

Again, thanks for your thoughts.