I'd like to ask for your advice on whether or not I should change career paths.
I am currently a Production Manager making commercials in Los Angeles. The dream was always to make films and now five years into the business I have had a chance to work on a wide range of projects, but haven't found myself fulfilled. Also during this time i've realized the work/life balance in film is lacking (long hours, lots of travel) and the budgets are continually shrinking. I have concerns about the stability of the job.
I'm considering going back to grad school and pursuing urban planning, focusing on transportation planning. There will be some exciting things happening in the coming years (potential Olympics in LA, hyperloop, autonomous vehicles) and it would be a way for me to live my values and help to fight climate change.
I've applied and gotten into USC and the program would start this fall.
I've broken down some Pros and Cons by category below:
PAY / JOB OPPORTUNITY
I'm currently a freelancer making around $85k/year (no benefits). My current role tops out at about $100k/year. I could move up to Producing which takes on more responsibility/risk and make even more.
The new job will pay less. I would end up back at my current salary level in about 4-5 years (plus benefits.) I see there being more stability in the urban planning field, but I don't feel like there is major growth potential. It's a short ladder in this field.
DEBT
I'm going to get married this year. GF makes $120k/ year and is willing to support me through grad school. Between family support, internship income and scholarships I can attend school debt free.
LIFESTYLE
I average 50 hours a week right now with some weeks exceeding 60 hours of work.
I would expect my new job to be a standard 40 hours a week. It would also be nice to make some new friends. I've found myself only hanging out with people who work in the same industry.
VALUES
I ended up in my current job chasing a career in a creative field (and the ability to work with some of my friends.) I'm stronger on the math/logistics side and quickly gravitated towards managing production. I no longer feel like i'm following my dreams and feel somewhat stagnant in my current role. I don't have any mentors and don't feel like i'm learning much anymore.
Like a cliché millenial I feel like I should be pursuing a job with meaning. Transportation planning has big implications for climate change and the equality of cities and could scratch this itch.
So in conclusion, is it worth going back to school to change careers paths given these details? Do you think I will be a happier person in the long term if I choose to make the change? Or am I just bored and I should continue on a path to make more money?
Any and all insights are appreciated!