Looking for a new career, any suggestions?

I have been in Pharmaceutical Sales for the past 12 years. I am almost 40. I need to make a change in careers. I am burned out and un-motivated. I am tired of driving around in a car all day, alone. I am done with the stress of constant testing, meetings, sales quotas and fear of downsizing. It was a great job many years ago, and it definitely still has its perks. I just really need to move on.

Here is my background:
BS in Elem Ed, certificate expired
Worked in auto insurance claims and subrogation
Sold advertising
Pharmaceutical sales

What in the world am I qualified for, what else can I do?
In order to pay my bills, I would need to make at least 50-60k, and I need medical benefits.

I visited a Life Coach a few times, but didn't get too much out of it.

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

Re: Looking for a new career, any suggestions?

Are there any kinds of office based positions with your current company?

Having done field work myself, I know how draining that can be.

I was able to basically create my role at my company based on the needs of the 2 programs I work for.

While I still have fieldwork on occasion, it's drastically cut down a lot.

Or maybe going back and applying for similar positions like you used to work in? (Not sure how much they pay and I know teaching is such a crapshoot these days).

Message edited 10/4/2012 4:47:30 PM.

Re: Looking for a new career, any suggestions?

I agree with the suggestion for looking for a different position within your company or another pharmaceutical company that is not sales based, so you could use your skills and experience, but work out of an office.

When I practiced law for a big firm, most of our clients were big pharma companies, and I was often on their "campuses." Most of them seemed like great places to work - good benefits, flexibility, etc. I would have loved to go in-house for one of those companies, but the ones I worked for were based in NJ, and I live on LI, so that wouldn't have worked. I know a lot of pharmaceutical companies are named among the best places to work in "Working Mother Magazine" and similar publications.

If not, what about something like being an office manager at a doctor's office? I am sure you dealt with many office managers in your sales rep role -- you are familiar with the drug industry, you know how to deal with doctors and nurses and other medical personnel in that setting.

Looking for a new career, any suggestions?

Have you looking into publishing companies like Hartcourt and Pearson? Someone with your sales background and field experience might be an asset to these places, especially with an El.Ed. background.