Author Topic: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction  (Read 2351 times)

RePatriot

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[Scrubbing personal info]
« Last Edit: December 09, 2023, 07:53:22 PM by RePatriot »

newgirl

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2018, 02:41:33 PM »
Replying because I'm also contemplating a mid-career change, though I am older than you and in an urban environment. If having a large family with a SAHM is important to you and your wife, it's just as important to focus on the expense reduction portion of the equation than the income part of the equation. I've had the Tightwad Gazette recommended to me by many people as sort of an expense bible for SAHM parents.

I'm also currently reading The 10 Laws of Career Reinvention by Pamela Mitchell on a recommendation from the forum. It's a very concrete/practical book and I plan to re-read it a few times and work through the exercises. It was $4.99 to buy it on Kindle since my library didn't have it, I think it will be money well spent. If you search the forums for my posts you can find the one that I wrote asking for career change advice and see the recommendations for reading and things to think about. People gave some good advice. Good luck!

red_pill

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2018, 03:26:52 PM »
What are your interests?  I mean, making money is one thing, but if you’re just pursuing a bigger pay check without taking into consideration your interests, you’re probably going to be miserable.  I’m not saying you have to be one of those “work doesn’t even feel like work” kind of people, but you need to know where you can align your interests with available opportunity.  You mention sales - do you like sales? Have you ever done sales?  Selling what? Or do you care what it’s selling? So why sales other than your auntie makes good cash doing it? You talk about an MBA - but do you like business?




AZDude

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2018, 09:44:32 AM »
Wow... ok.

So you want to move to rural Tennessee *AND* change careers to something that makes more than $75K/year while having no experience or skills in anything outside of education?

What job opportunities are going to be in rural Tennessee outside of education? I literally have zero idea what you could do that would make $80K+ in a LCOL, rural area that does not require a significant investment in time and money(you know going to medical school, etc...).

I have been to rural TN exactly one time and really liked it, but there is not much there, economically speaking. Make sure you are thinking this through.
 

nessness

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2018, 10:07:49 AM »
Would your wife be willing to provide childcare for other kids after you guys have your own kids? That would definitely help.

If you're set on moving to rural Tennessee, I think you need to look closely at what the job opportunities are THERE, and not just at general high-paying jobs.

maginvizIZ

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2018, 08:22:19 AM »
Hello!  I am 27 and I'm thinking of a career change too.  I'm currently in finance, making $62k ( I live in SLC, UT).  My friend just landed a job for $80k, which makes me think that's my market value come next summer.

I've thought about going into computer science, as it is a high paying job, and I think I would like the idea of solving problems and creating programs.. Have you looked into CS?  My worry with CS is I also enjoy talking to people... I think you would have no customer interaction... But you could be a programmer for a couple years, then turn into a program manager, and have the best of both worlds (technical + customer interaction).

An MBA does make money.  You can land a $80-$100k position, depending on the quality of school and such. You would have to look a little further into an MBA, as the you emphasize on something (IT, Sales, Finance, Account).

Good luck on finding your next move. :)

phred

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2018, 12:53:39 PM »
Good principals are rare.  If you like doing this, keep at it.  Does your wife like working as a nanny?  She may make more running a small daycare out of your new home.  Contact Jobs & Family Service in TN for any licensing & training requirements.  She may be able to provide a premium service by opening early or closing later than the larger establishment daycares.

A website you both may like is Frugalwoods.com  It's about enjoying (& thriving with) frugality

Miss Piggy

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Re: Looking to Learn Skills/Change Careers But Lacking Direction
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2018, 01:15:25 PM »
Consider Instructional Design, corporate training, instructional technology, whatever you want to call it. The corporate world pays well. (Unfortunately, no summers off.)