Hi

I'm new here. Actually, I've been reading the threads on this forum for quite some time now and decided to post a question to everyone here.

Have any of you ever changed careers? I mean, not just changing jobs but the type of work/industry. I've worked at a big four accounting/CPA firm for the past 3.5 years (straight out of college) and was thinking about what I wanted to do long-term. I'm really not sure what I want to do, but all I know is I do not want to be an accountant anymore.

If anyone can offer their experiences or any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

(And by the way, you guys are really funny and sometimes even crazy. But I think you guys have built a great community here and that's why I keep coming back. Oh, and nice cars!! )

 

I left GE after 28+ years because I was tired of the pressure of making the numbers (I was the only shipping/receiving person there). I've been out of work for 13 months and am still trying to figure out what I want to do. I do know that I want to go somewhere closer to home and want to enjoy every day that I go to work (something I didn't at GE).

 

While I was a graduate student I worked for a small company developing software to write programs for CNC mills, lathes, and so on.

After that I worked for two years at a defense contractor writing software for GPS and sonar navigation.

Then I went to another defense contractor and spent ten years designing warheads.

After a couple of short software development jobs here and there I worked for a bond management company for five years analyzing mortgage securities.

For the last two years I have been working as a risk analyst / cost estimator.

Throughout it all I have been a college mathematics teacher off-and-on, and for the last ten years a part-time magician.

Recently I have begun working on a website to analyze sporting events and provide recommendations on which contestant will likely beat the established odds / point spread. (I leave it to you to determine the application.)

The short answer would have been: Yes.

 

I started out in the creative field, worked my way to Sr. Art Director for a design firm, then one day realized I really didn't like what I was doing. So, I then pursued my love of motorsports and now I manage a Nascar sponsorship. The two fields could not be more different from each other.

My advice is do what makes you happy and not what your mother/counselor/accountant tells what you should do.

 

I may have to, over two years without work now as a Network Engineer and no resurgence in IT jobs coming any time soon. I was thinking maybe something in the health care industry, people are always going to be getting sick so there might be some job security there...

 

Get the book "What Color is Your Parachute." It covers this in detail....