career changers?

i was recently laid off (whole company closed down). i was lucky enough to find temp work in my field but this recent change has me thinking... maybe its time to take advantage of this and try something new all together. has anyone else lost their job and ended up switching career paths completely? did it work out?

Re: career changers?

me me me!!!!!!!

I lost my job the day after labor day- it was my 4th job since college- and one was more miserable then the next

I went to FIT- I have a very specialized degree in home products development and marking

but after 6 years- I was over it

I went to my husbands office to help out and fill my time

it was suppose to be temporary but this month the owner offered me a full time position and I accepted it

in fact- I just got a call from a bank- and I saved my first clients house from foreclosure! not bad considering 4 months ago I was worried about art work for dinner plates- that seems so trival now!

I feel like now I do something that matters- and while I am stressed out alot more- this feeling I have right now is awesome!!!

losing my job was the best thing that ever happened to me- I am on a different path now- and it's the right one for me!!!!!

Re: career changers?

I did - I was a nanny in NJ in 2001, after 9/11 I lost my job. I moved back to CO and started working for the newspaper, then an Internet company after I moved to CA. It was great while it lasted, but I have been itching to go back to working with kids again, and now hopefully I'll be able to

Re: career changers?

Not a total "career change" however, I have asked for a demotion when I return to work after maternity leave this spring. I always thought it was "the right thing to do" to follow a career path of constantly advancing myself into supervisory roles, and overall, for the past couple years, I just haven't been happy doing that/managing staff/dealing with the bureacracy and politics at that level.

I think things will be much better once I am "just a service coordinator" again.

I also am open to other options down the road but right now I am so overwhelmed with my new son that changing jobs/careers is not something I am going to think about.

Re: career changers?

I am in the middle of changing careers at the moment. I worked in corp America and was miserable. I am waiting to find out if I have been accepted to the Radiology program here in VA. If I don't get accepted into this program then I will be applying to Occupational Therapy Assistant program. My 1st choice is Radiology. Its a huge step. I had to give up my job. I dont have a penny to my name but thank god my husband pays all the bills.

Re: career changers?

I did. I was working in Corporate for years. I moved to NY with no family or backup plan. My company started laying off regularly. I went back to school to be a massage therapist. This is my new career. I love it. I don't get stressed by co-workers. I can work as little or as much as I want. I can work anywhere really.

Re: career changers?

I actually didn't get laid off but got tired of working in corporate and watching people get laid off every time there is a budget deficit or not caring for the employees. I got tired of doing work that I feel is useless without a purpose. I work in Health Insurance and am now in nursing school. I have a year to go and I love the patients. Can't wait to graduate.