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#4230451 - 02/18/16 03:39 AM Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process?  
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Archangel Offline
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Canada, eh!
So, looking for opinions here especially from those of us that are a little (ahem) "seasoned" and life experienced.

I am now in my early 40s and been with the same company (via a merger) for 25 years next year. Pretty much my entire working adult life. Personally I am in a good marriage, no kids and financially secure.

We made some new friends a couple months ago and the husband is 1 or 2 years younger than me. He is with a large multinational company that is huge in renewable energy. During dinner conversation he told me they are looking for some entry level tech people and I got intrigued. I should qualify with my background and there is certainly room for advancement and changes of pace. He and his wife just got transferred back to Canada from a 4 year stint in the UK so travelling the world is even a possibility if you want it (I might not, but who knows).

While my current career is pretty secure... well, as much is it can be at the moment I suppose! I have a ton of autonomy, make decent money, company vehicle, a lot of making my own hours... but my heart just isn't really in it anymore. I don't think I can see myself being any happier in 5+ years and in fact I can see myself becoming downright miserable. It's a mixture of the job no longer being fun but the company, to be blunt, sort of sucks with a complete paradigm shift of attitude and direction. I understand times and business change and if you don't like it or want to live with it, it's probably best just to get out of it and not be "that guy" that just #%&*$# and complains all the time but doesn't get off his ass to do anything about it.

Hours will be longer, pay will probably be 15-25% less, I'll lose 25 years of seniority and a few weeks of holidays per year, but damn, it still intrigues me. I might hate it, but I might not. I'm not a kid anymore but I should still have 20 years of working in me especially if I like the job. And being a renewable energy company I can really see them growing going forward as the anti-fossil fuel bugaboo doesn't seem to be going away.

But we're in the middle of a recession here in Canada and leaving a "secure" job at this time would seem downright insane to many. My wife has a good job but the news is they'll be cutting back to 32 hour weeks from 40 in the very near future so who knows what 3+ months down the road will hold. But, we are secure and not living hand to mouth.

I know people have done it, and I know there are a few here, what made you push to actually make the plunge and leave your not-as-satisfying but secure job to do something else? Regrets? Would you do it again?

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#4230508 - 02/18/16 11:47 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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BD-123 Offline
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A recession in Canada? We were led to believe that by wise restraint Canada avoided all that happened in 2008, so no economic crisis occurred there.
The current Canadian Governor of the Bank of England was appointed on that basis.

What do you think aboot that, eh?

Redundancy pushed me into taking that final scary step into becoming self-employed, and in that recession i really had no other choice. Didn't turn out too bad comparing my progress to others that remained in the company I left.

Having no children must relieve you of having the guilt of responsibilty for others, especially if your wife is salaried too. Go for it mate, otherwise you will be constantly thinking 'what if'?



#4230512 - 02/18/16 11:56 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: BD-123]  
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PanzerMeyer Offline
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Originally Posted By: BD-123
A recession in Canada?
Have you seen the trend of oil prices over the past 3 months or so? The Canadian Loonie has also dropped in value significantly in comparison to the USD.

Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 02/18/16 11:57 AM.

“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4230524 - 02/18/16 12:22 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Any renewable energy investment is going to be a very bad move in light of current fossil fuel prices and reserves. You should calculate how much more it costs to go with the green tech before you seriously consider the switch.


You're only young once, but you can be immature forever.
#4230539 - 02/18/16 01:20 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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No105_Archie Offline
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I spent over 25 years in construction and project management. In 2007 I had the opportunity to move into IT (software consulting) and spent 8 years doing that. We have a saying that "a change is as good as a rest". IMO it's true. I was sick of contracts and contractors and the whole construction merry-go-round. I thoroughly enjoyed my stint in the IT business. I'm now about ready to retire and finishing up the implementation of some asset management software for an engineering department ( so I have "sort of" come full circle.)

In short...I did a midlife career change and enjoyed it and it worked for me.

( as it says on the software box "your experience may vary" smile )

Best wishes

Last edited by No105_Archie; 02/18/16 01:22 PM. Reason: crappy spelling

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carpe diem
#4230586 - 02/18/16 02:32 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Jedi Master Offline
Entil'zha
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I spent 15 years in IT and got laid off when the USAF decided it could do the job slower, for more money, and less efficiently than the contractors that were doing it by giving it to active-duty military and gov't civilians. I spent almost two years unemployed looking for a change in direction as IT seemed a wasteland back in 2012-3.

In the end I went back to IT. *shrug*



The Jedi Master


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#4230641 - 02/18/16 04:04 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Archangel, I'm about the same age, and I'm wrestling with similar issues...

It sounds to me like you've made up your mind already and that you are looking for excuses NOT to leave your employer. You sound ready to take the pay cut and the loss of vacation for something more interesting. To me, it sounds like a good trade-off and here's why:

1- if you've been with your company for 25 years, you've gone as far as your company thinks you're able to, you may get one more promotion but that's it. There's more opportunity at the other company (from the limited info you've set out) and it's quite possible that the short-term pay cut will turn into a pay increase in the longer term if you can prove yourself.
2- I'd rather have more work with a company that I enjoy working for, than two weeks more vacation for a company I don't especially care for and I suspect, from what you've written, that you feel the same way.

More critical than your own decision is your wife's opinion on all this. She'll be impacted both positively you'll be happier) and negatively ($ shortfall), so what does she think? Would it mean a big change (moving away from family, schools, etc)? Can you afford it if it doesn't work out (don't burn bridges with your current employer!!)?

Good luck!


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#4230644 - 02/18/16 04:10 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Lifer
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Hmm, so your current job sucks.

Is there any other job in the same industry that would not suck but allow to utilize your experience?

I get the idea that you want out, but ask yourself it it's the type of work, or the employer, or both.

#4230717 - 02/18/16 06:31 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Top Gun Offline
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my cousin who's 47 like me was a high up sales Mgr with a PC sales company for 25yrs like yourself, was winning large trips & prizes and living large. He got screwed over on a promotion and thought he'd walk away because he was so pissed. Went into pharmaceutical sales and maybe lasted 4 weeks.

You get used to all that time off and extras that he went back with the same pay and benefits..

I'm in the same boat, been with this company 28 years, 7 weeks off, 11 holidays and good benefits. As bad as the job is some times, others have left for "greener pastures" only to hate it and want to come back...


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#4230725 - 02/18/16 06:41 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Top Gun]  
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Originally Posted By: Top Gun

I'm in the same boat, been with this company 28 years, 7 weeks off, 11 holidays and good benefits.



Yeah, in this current job market climate you would have to be insane to give up benefits like that!


“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
#4230762 - 02/18/16 07:56 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: PanzerMeyer]  
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Originally Posted By: PanzerMeyer
Originally Posted By: Top Gun

I'm in the same boat, been with this company 28 years, 7 weeks off, 11 holidays and good benefits.



Yeah, in this current job market climate you would have to be insane to give up benefits like that!


doesn't even count the 40% off wholesale for hockey and lacrosse gear... thumbsup

#4230789 - 02/18/16 09:03 PM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Too late for porn movies. Gotta stick it out.

#4230860 - 02/19/16 12:43 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Gromit Offline
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I'm 51, and begin working on a BSN (three year program) starting in May. I am unable to find a position in health care administration, so I'm moving to where the shortage is: nursing.


MSgt, USAF (ret)
#4230870 - 02/19/16 01:04 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Gromit]  
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Originally Posted By: Gromit
I'm 51, and begin working on a BSN (three year program) starting in May. I am unable to find a position in health care administration, so I'm moving to where the shortage is: nursing.


I have spent a lot of time in the hospital lately. I don't know if I have ever seen harder working people than nurses. I can't imagine trying to take that job on later in life. Good luck to you sir.

#4230900 - 02/19/16 02:13 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  

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Spent my life up to 2015 studying Math and working with Math.
Got pissed off with it when I studied overseas. Realized that the international scene of mathematics is as full of crap as my local scene. Lost my respect for it.
Spending the rest of my life trying to find work where no mathematics is involved.
Currently I'm a failure with this goal because I'm working on a research contract that involves programming and math simulation.
I promised myself that by next year I will be working on something with no mathematics involved.

#4230902 - 02/19/16 02:19 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: ]  
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Originally Posted By: oselisan
Spent my life up to 2015 studying Math and working with Math.
Got pissed off with it when I studied overseas. Realized that the international scene of mathematics is as full of crap as my local scene. Lost my respect for it.
Spending the rest of my life trying to find work where no mathematics is involved.
Currently I'm a failure with this goal because I'm working on a research contract that involves programming and math simulation.
I promised myself that by next year I will be working on something with no mathematics involved.



Wal-Mart is always hiring. You could become a Top dog quickly with that resume. thumbsup


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#4230904 - 02/19/16 02:22 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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I am 54, and my job is and life living at work for 22 years now is wearing thin.
Think after my wife had her stroke back Sept I have never worked harder in this
time since beginning our job here. We really need to move along and find a new life.


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#4230905 - 02/19/16 02:24 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: JimK]  

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Originally Posted By: JimK
Originally Posted By: oselisan
Spent my life up to 2015 studying Math and working with Math.
Got pissed off with it when I studied overseas. Realized that the international scene of mathematics is as full of crap as my local scene. Lost my respect for it.
Spending the rest of my life trying to find work where no mathematics is involved.
Currently I'm a failure with this goal because I'm working on a research contract that involves programming and math simulation.
I promised myself that by next year I will be working on something with no mathematics involved.



Wal-Mart is always hiring. You could become a Top dog quickly with that resume. thumbsup


LOL given my disgust that's not out of the picture

#4230906 - 02/19/16 02:27 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: ]  
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JimK Offline
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Originally Posted By: oselisan
Originally Posted By: JimK
Originally Posted By: oselisan
Spent my life up to 2015 studying Math and working with Math.
Got pissed off with it when I studied overseas. Realized that the international scene of mathematics is as full of crap as my local scene. Lost my respect for it.
Spending the rest of my life trying to find work where no mathematics is involved.
Currently I'm a failure with this goal because I'm working on a research contract that involves programming and math simulation.
I promised myself that by next year I will be working on something with no mathematics involved.



Wal-Mart is always hiring. You could become a Top dog quickly with that resume. thumbsup


LOL given my disgust that's not out of the picture


Wish I had as much hope, Getting on with life now seems impossible. Fully employed, just trapped.

BTW, you would melt down going through stupidity of a Walmart hiring. You must be stupid to get in.
Wife and son both work out there, their brains bleed out every night spilling out the stupid delt with
in an 8 hr shift.


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#4230959 - 02/19/16 04:55 AM Re: Voluntary midlife career change - who has done it? Regrets? Decision process? [Re: Archangel]  
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Raw Kryptonite Offline
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"Hours will be longer, pay will probably be 15-25% less, I'll lose 25 years of seniority and a few weeks of holidays per year,"
"My wife has a good job but the news is they'll be cutting back to 32 hour weeks from 40 in the very near future so who knows what 3+ months down the road will hold"

Might not be the time for experimentation.
IMO, never take a step back until you just don't need the money. Don't take a step backwards in the time until you can retire. Losing a quarter of your salary can mean YEARS more working. Perhaps instead it would make you feel good to be piling cash in a retirement account? Stash that 25% away and feel good about your plans to get out of the rat race early and also show yourself if you could've done with that pay cut.
Stick with it until you can retire properly, then consider a 2nd career for fun.
A major career change at mid-life, IMO, should be a matter of improving your situation as well as happiness, not regressing and giving up years of progress.
If getting burned out, look for things outside of work to liven things up. Use your vacation time and know that if you'd taken the new job, you probably wouldn't be doing whatever it is you find to do on those vacations.
If you do change, get a solid LOCK on that new job, send a job acceptance letter and be 100% it's happening before putting in notice at the current place.
Life can and will bite you in the ass at the worst possible moment.


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