Need a major change- Need advice

I am seriously thinking about leaving my secure (yet incredibly boring and un-fulfilling) job as a staff accountant. I am just not happy and need a change. I just got married and am only 25. I figured I am young enough to make a major change, right?

Anyways, I am interested in going into retail buying--starting out as an assistant buyer. Does anybody here know about this field? the pay? overall experience? work-life balance? any insight would be great...

additionally, most opportunities are in the city...and i live in port jeff...so the commute would be rough, but i am willing to do it if the job was satisfying enough...anybody hear have a major commute like that? again...any insight would be great!


TIA!

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

I know nothing about the field- but this is the time to do it. I'd try to keep a foot in your current field/office just in case and try to leave on the best terms possible. It seems like the economy is slowing picking up finally and you're young. I thought about quitting teaching when I was 28/29 and did not (and in many ways it was fortunately because 9/11 happened and at least my job was secure) but now I am 40 and finally leaving and it is daunting! So don't wait- be mindful of what you're getting into- but do it.

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

I wasn't a buyer but dealt with the buyers when I was in my old field/company.

I don't think their hours were insane, but they weren't the people leaving at 5pm.

The position requires something of an outgoing, sales-y personality. You have to form relationships with vendors and, at least at my old company, you also had to sometimes work to sell the product to upper management.

There might be some travel involved, which can be good or bad depending on your POV.

I won't say anything more than that since it wasn't my position and I don't want to misrepresent it.

If you're interested see if Macy's has any positions. They would be the type of place to hire a lot of these people and it's one block from Penn Station.

If you're still interested, FM me and I'll give you some further info about my old company.

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

I was an accountant for 10 years and had a fairly stable job. It just never felt right to me, but never had the push to leave to something else. I am in school now for something that feels fulfilling.

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

Do it now, or you might never get the chance! Good luck!!!

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

Retail buying is not glamorous. It is tedious and can be boring. There is math involved, which your current job may come in handy for. If you're looking for a fun and creative retail field, merchandising is a better fit.

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

If you can, I say totally make the change now!

With your background in accounting, if you get the experience in fashion, you could always come back to the island and open up your own boutique, since the accounting stuff will be a breeze ;). Or, you could always just come back to accounting if it's not working out in the fashion end.

I have known a few women who did this kind of thing through Macy's and the other major retailers in the city.

Also the commute can be a great time to just read and get stuff done that we normally don't find ourselves accomplishing during other hours.

This is the one thing I miss about commuting to the city.

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

I worked in product development before becoming a real estate agent

my first job was with macy's out of college

with out experince- you might have an easier time getting a job as a planner

which is basically a retail accountant- but once you are in- it might be easier to become a buyer this way

when I started in the industry in 2002 I was making $35K a year- I don't think it's gotten much higher

but if you go in as a planner- you should be able to make more

Re: Need a major change- Need advice

I was a merchandise buyer for about a year for a well known publishing company. I didn't enjoy it much because you have to schmooze, a lot. And I'm not much of a schmoozer. And you have to haggle to knock down cost of items. I did get a lot of cool free samples and went to a lot of trade shows, which can be fun.