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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
you can switch gears but i always question people who do it when they have a job that pays the bills.
i have two careers that many people would love to do. EVERYONE has a passion for it until they have to work it and live it. Then they realize it might not be as easy and as much as your passion as you perceived it to be. Grass looks greener on the other side all the time but if your really determined and really know you need this then def. go for it. No reason to live a life in regret but understand it might be what you wanted in the end. It has to be for the right reasons and always consider the overall effect on your family. Also is it a career that is sustainable? All my pharma buddies are going back to school because their chem or bio degrees don't amount to poop since all the companies are moving out of state. Everyone thought that was a great degree and it is but you have to be willing to possibly relocate for work all the time.
If your going to work FT, school PT someone will have to pick up the slack at home or you have to pay someone to help. IF you are having a family the first few years will be VERY hard to go to school and work at the same time. Typically it's easier to switch careers when childless or when a child is in school. Not saying it's impossible but there is so much of you that can go around.
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Posted 10/18/13 4:31 PM  |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
I also wanted to add almost my entire class at law school were peoe changing careers.
I have a friend that was a mom of 3 and had 2 more In School. It can be done
As for why leave a job that pays the bills.... To do something you enjoy. I left and almost 6 figure job to go to law school. And contrary to popular belief....most starting attys do not make that. I loved school and do not regret my decision. I finally have a job I enjoy rather than dreading going to work everyday even though I never had to worry about a bill.
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| Posted 10/18/13 5:54 PM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Do you need to have a BS? It might make more sense to look into a Master's program since you already have a BA even if it requires you to take a few prerequisites before you are able to matriculate into a Master's program. This would give you the advantage of having an advanced degree. As someone who worked full time and went to school part time at night for a few years it can be done but you will have to sacrifice pretty much all of your free time to school. Additionally, I could not imagine working full time, going to school part time and becoming a mom. Others may be able to handle it but I was taking science courses that required a lot of studying and would have been unable to handle it. I ultimately went back to school full time to finish my master's degree and then to get my PhD- I was lucky to have a stipend for both full time programs b/c I had no free time to work if I had to--I would think about the field you are looking to get into and try to set up a few informational interviews with people who have the types of jobs you ultimately want to have--After hearing about the jobs/job market see if the idea is still appealing.
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| Posted 10/18/13 6:03 PM |
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Do you know people in the field who you can network with and would be a potential in for a job?
There were a lot of older career changers in my field too, but that was also back in 2004 and the market was a lot different then.
I also can't imagine going back to school if I had young children, so that is something too that is important to think about.
Lastly, could it be that you are just unhappy with your job and not your field in general?
I felt like this for a long time but a great deal of it was I needed to get the hell away from my last employer.
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| Posted 10/18/13 6:26 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by Nifheim
i have two careers that many people would love to do. EVERYONE has a passion for it until they have to work it and live it. Then they realize it might not be as easy and as much as your passion as you perceived it to be. Grass looks greener on the other side all the time but if your really determined and really know you need this then def. go for it. No reason to live a life in regret but understand it might be what you wanted in the end. It has to be for the right reasons and always consider the overall effect on your family. Also is it a career that is sustainable? All my pharma buddies are going back to school because their chem or bio degrees don't amount to poop since all the companies are moving out of state. Everyone thought that was a great degree and it is but you have to be willing to possibly relocate for work all the time.
If your going to work FT, school PT someone will have to pick up the slack at home or you have to pay someone to help. IF you are having a family the first few years will be VERY hard to go to school and work at the same time. Typically it's easier to switch careers when childless or when a child is in school. Not saying it's impossible but there is so much of you that can go around.
This. I can say the same for myself. I have 2 degrees also, both I did before my DD. And now i use NEITHER, I never thought I would stay home but I do. I personally don't think it's worth if it the plan is to have a child within a year or so.
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| Posted 10/18/13 6:48 PM |
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SeaWolf14
*Crazy Cat Lady*
Member since 7/13 1324 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Thank you for all of the input. I know NO one in this field, and my current degree(s) could not be LESS related to the new one. I think I chose my major when I was younger based on the fact that it was easy, but I think I should have gone into the sciences instead.
I almost want to go back and get the degree just b/c I really want to know more about this subject, job prospects aside.
Ty for the input. I"ll keep you updated.
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| Posted 10/18/13 7:24 PM |
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DrMeg
Back home!
Member since 5/08 1858 total posts
Name:
Meg
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Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
I don't know what type of science job it is, but is it something you could do on LI? I have a BS, MS and PhD and had to leave LI (and move across the country to CA) to find a job. So this is something to also consider.
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| Posted 10/18/13 8:06 PM |
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DiamondGirl
You are my I love you
Member since 7/09 18802 total posts
Name:
DiamondMama
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by SeaWolf
From what I've read, its actually a great field to get into, especially on Long Island.
If this was true and I could go to school where I wouldn't need to take out a lot of loans (like CUNY, or if the new job would provide income that would allow me to pay off these loans in a way that was doable) YES !!
Why not? if you are confident you can get a job and you would enjoy doing it DO IT--at 39 you could easily be working in that field 20 plus years--why spend that time doing something you don't enjoy!?!?!?
GOOD LUCK 
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| Posted 10/18/13 8:22 PM |
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Daveswife
I'm all grown up now
Member since 11/05 1108 total posts
Name:
Valerie
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by alli3131
I have and undergrad degree in interior design. At the age of 32 I went to law school. Graduated at the age of 36.
So nope I don't think it is too late.
Omg this just gave me hope. I have a degree in education and want to go to law school, but was afraid because of my age (32). Now I'm encouraged to go for it. It's never too late to pursue your dreams.
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| Posted 10/18/13 8:40 PM |
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sunnyflies
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 1757 total posts
Name:
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Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
I just spoke to a woman in her 60's who is about to take her LSATs. It's never too late if you really want it.
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| Posted 10/18/13 8:51 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by Daveswife
Posted by alli3131
I have and undergrad degree in interior design. At the age of 32 I went to law school. Graduated at the age of 36.
So nope I don't think it is too late.
Omg this just gave me hope. I have a degree in education and want to go to law school, but was afraid because of my age (32). Now I'm encouraged to go for it. It's never too late to pursue your dreams.
FM me if you have any questions. My DH and I both went to law school as a career change. He was in finance.
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| Posted 10/18/13 10:27 PM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Well, I'm becoming a nurse at 35..
I started prereqs in January when I got pregnant..in December (almost one year later) I'll be done with 20 credits of pre-reqs and can apply to the program I want :)
I did it all while pregnant, with a newborn now and 2 other kids. It's hard but totally possible. I cannot wait to become a nurse and feel so much closer to my goal..one year ago I felt like it would never happen...and now I've completed Anatomy and Physiology 1&2, developmental psych, math, microbiology and chemistry. Crazy what a whirlwind of a year its been. But when theres a will..
go for it!!!!
* i had a degree in mass comm before this! Total diff areas...
Message edited 10/18/2013 10:35:13 PM.
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| Posted 10/18/13 10:34 PM |
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Interestingly enough, I did one of my social work internships in a legal services clinic and there were A LOT of law students there who were over 30 or even WELL over 30 pursuing their second career.
Again, I graduated back in 2004 however.
Some of the attorneys from there I still keep in touch with have either opened their own practice, or their own business not related to law at all.
I do think there are lots of pros of being an older student though too.
I think in some respects the work can be a little easier and you would also take it A LOT more seriously.
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| Posted 10/19/13 8:27 AM |
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Irishlass
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 2961 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Go for it! I did it. I graduated last year in the healthcare field. I went from accounting to healthcare. I'm 39.
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| Posted 10/19/13 9:48 AM |
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sometimesmommy
Always in my heart.....
Member since 11/06 6686 total posts
Name:
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Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Go for it. I am considering change myself and I am 38.
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| Posted 10/19/13 7:27 PM |
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WantBabyNbr2
LIF Adolescent
Member since 8/12 676 total posts
Name:
Amy
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by SeaWolf
Definitely not teaching! Its in the environmental field.
I'm a Director of Environmental, Health amd Safety and have a MS in Environmental and occupational health sciences. It's a great field and definitely growing!
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| Posted 10/19/13 8:40 PM |
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SeaWolf14
*Crazy Cat Lady*
Member since 7/13 1324 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Looking for HONEST advice regarding career change
Posted by WantBabyNbr2
Posted by SeaWolf
Definitely not teaching! Its in the environmental field.
I'm a Director of Environmental, Health amd Safety and have a MS in Environmental and occupational health sciences. It's a great field and definitely growing!
That's what I've read! Thanks!
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| Posted 10/19/13 10:36 PM |
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