I would love to get a discussion going about changing careers. Key questions to ponder on and comment about:
- Does anyone think its a good idea?
- Has anyone done it? if so, are you happy with the change and would you recommend it to others?
I would also be interested in finding out HOW people go through that decision making process.
2 comments:
Coincident timing for this post, Vianeris. Nine years ago today was the first day of my "new career."
More precisely, I decided to work for myself rather than hold a job. And my wife decided to try the same thing 5 years later. Thus far, we have thrived.
A few observations:
1. We all have certain strong skills. Trying to abandon our core skills to do something we "love" but may not be as proficient at could be problematic. For instance, I am a very good writer, but a slightly above average golfer. I like golf better than writing, but would have a very hard time making as good a living at it (and writing about golf is not nearly as lucrative as my subject matter now, because there are many, many people who would like to write about golf). So I would advise taking your core skills and exploring channels within them that give you the most contentment possible. For me, that may mean moving from specialized journalism to public policy analysis at some point. But that move will retain my skill sets, my areas of expertise, and my contacts. And since I work for myself, I can golf on my own schedule, not my boss's!
2. My decision was made under duress. The senior editor with whom I worked was simply a "work jerk." He could not delegate responsibility, and I found myself treated like a cub reporter after 15 years in the publishing business. My wife noticed I was very tense, and asked me what was wrong. I tried to stick it out, but eventually it became clear that I would have to leave that firm after just 6 months. I told her I thought it would be my last best chance at freelancing. She made out a budget in which I needed only to cover my half of the rent for the first six months. A supportive partner is absolutely imperative. I was still scared as heck working without a net, but, hey! It worked out!
That was, as I say, nine years ago, and now we both freelance, splitting the work day and child care day. And ironically, we feel even more economically secure than when our livelihoods were dependent on one source apiece. Now we have 6-8 regular clients, and if one slackens, any hit we take is mitigated, even in hard times.
I heartily recommend going your own way at some point. There is nothing like it.
thank you so much for the feedback. It seems everyone that decides to go their own way never looks back. so glad to hear it worked out for you.
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