If you made a career change... - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnR · 04-20-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piemma

Been a software saleman for 30+ years. Now an Internet Cop working with the Feds finding bad guys (Phishers, Spammers, Virus spreaders and some DHS stuff)
There are no GOOD jobs....just ways to make a living and go fishing. Be happy with what you have and make the best of every day.

Let me know if you are hiring

fishweewee · 04-20-2005, 08:13 AM

I have half a mind to set up my own quant trading shop.

I might call it The Wee Wee Fund, L.P.

Getting up at 4:30 every morning, trudging home after 10 p.m., and then being somebody else's bitch-on-call 24/7 is getting tiresome.

RIJIMMY · 04-20-2005, 08:34 AM

Passion is a big driver. I've witnessed people who are not that good at something but push hard and get themselves noticed and as a result are successful.
As corny as it sounds, Joe Jackson said it all, "You cant get what you want until you know what you want"
I wish I had a career I was passionate about. Since I have had kids, I have been so impressed by our peditricians. Sometimes we go to them so distressed and desperate and they make everything all right. That must be a very rewarding career. I'm sure there are plenty of very depressing issues they deal with that I do not see. I wish I could go home at the end of teh day feeling like I made a differnce. I feel like I spend all day digging a hole and at night someone comes by and fills it up.

fishweewee · 04-20-2005, 09:13 AM

Passion is indeed very important.

I once had a chat with a career counselor on the train home.

I asked her if she could summarize in one sentence how one could go about finding the perfect job for oneself.

Her answer was brief but profound.

"Find out where your INTERESTS overlap with your ABILITIES."

Sounds easy, but it takes a lot of introspection and maybe some feedback from others about what you like to do and what you are good at doing. And even then, these might not mesh with any current opportunities.

fishaholic18 · 04-20-2005, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishweewee

I once had a chat with a career counselor on the train home.

Where can I find one of them???

fishweewee · 04-20-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishaholic18

Where can I find one of them???

They're often listed in the yellow pages.

If not, try calling a professional recruiter/recruiter - they can refer you. If you work in a company with an HR department, try discreetly asking around there (preferably with a person you trust).

It's worth the time and money to go speak with one, be it an outplacement counselor or career coach. It's for everyone - not just white collar types.

They do lots of things like do diagnostic skill and personality tests, and give personalized advice as to what might be good for you.

Jimbo · 04-20-2005, 10:47 AM

Short of FWW's advice, there used to be a popular book called What "Color Is Your Parachute" that led you thru some exercises. The result, if you could be honest with yourself, were several lists of your personality traits, likes and dislikes as far as what one would like in their ideal vocation or career. It may sound sort of corny, but I have used this tool previously with appreciable results. I don't know if it's the perfect job, but I've been here for 20 years and am not considering leaving. Finding out and compiling some honest and revealing information about yourself might help narrow the field for your search for the perfect job. I'm sure there's no bookstore that doesn't have a self-help section with books like these. For the cost of a $5.95 paperback, what could it hurt.