I am aware that I'm being very vague with regards to my career - I apologize but my niche is rather small and I don't think specifics would add all that much to the conversation.
I'm about to turn 25. I've been working at a non-profit since graduating with my BS in Nutrition. I am the most rapidly promoted and youngest PM in my employer's history. I am now responsible for administering and implementing an entire initiative on my own. Unfortunately, I'm required to be held to my organization's model that is not very efficacious, and frankly the issue that we address is more of a symptom of broader, more complicated issues that we don't directly address. Even if I had greater autonomy, I don't know how much I'd actually be helping people. Meanwhile, I am beginning to make myself a controversy in my office - even though I'm being as diplomatic as possible when drawing attention to limitations or flaws of our program, certain people simply do not like change and are making any change difficult. Although some higher-ups quietly applaud my efforts, I'm concerned I may be cutting the floor out from under me and hurting my career.
I'm conflicted about leaving because I'm getting recognition and a unique amount of responsibility; however I only make $48,000 as a Project Manager and feel there isn't likely any more headroom without a graduate degree (which they wouldn't reimburse at all). I'm looking for a career switch.
Truthfully, my skills from this job are confined to soft-skills, problem-solving, and management (they're certainly valuable, but I'm beginning to think inadequate w/o technical skill). My degree is in nutrition, which generally doesn't lead to well compensated jobs unless I go back to PA/MD/DDS school - I have no interest in becoming an RD. I do have connections with several successful authors/bloggers/speakers in the popular nutrition scene, and I've been told by many people that I would be a good speaker and/or professor with regards to nutrition.
I'd appreciate any guidance as to how I would look towards my next career steps. I'd like to maximize my earnings for early retirement (savings rate is 40% and climbing!) and then consider "earning to give" if I still enjoy whatever job I'm in. I've always wanted to have a positive impact and advance causes that are important to me, but I've finally accepted that not only is my 9-5 a limited way to contribute, but working for a good earnings doesn't necessarily mean I'm selling out.
Fields I'm examining are:
Food Supply Chain (ie. buyer for packers/distributors such as Alberts Organics)
Food Retail Management (esp. Whole Foods or Wegmans)
Niche Public Health Consulting (being able to direct city/state govts. and non-profits on how to actually do this work right -- and leverage my reputation)
Software Engineering (no current experience but I'm disciplined and good at self-directed education....like the earnings potential).
"Boutique" Nutrition Counseling - Working with HNW clients (leverage my HNW contacts, and ability to persuade & conduct self-directed research - I'll admit the self promotion/marketing necessary in that world is alien to me).
I appreciate any thoughts you may have