Change of career - how do you decide what to do?

[Babyluv]

I'm changing career. I was a business manager for a retail store and was sick and tired of the long hrs, no weekends, overtime without extra pay and crappy pay in general. I am studying to be a teacher. I love kids, am passionate about the importance of a positive education experience, hubby is a teacher. So although there is alot of work that needs to be done outside of school hours we will be together as a family and ill be doing a job I love. I'm studying externally, all lectures and tutes are online. Its great! All I can suggest is to find something you're passionate about, call some Uni's or even workplaces and have a chat to them about what the job involves.

[fionas]

SAP Technical Writer - seem to be a few of those positions around but yes, again, I think you might struggle to find part-time. The actual agencies might be different though and I know that people who actually want to write and CAN write are quite hard to come by so they may be negotiable.

[shells79]

I'm in the same boat somewhat. I'm working in something administration based but qualified in social/ market research. I'm due 17 March and would like to take go back to a different job as while this job is very convenient (working from home fulltime) I find it extremely unfulfilling. I don't know whether to try to find work in what I am qualified in but not overly experienced in the types of roles I am interested in. Move into marketing or teaching which both interest me, but I don't know whether I am good at it or it would suit me or not (both would involve more study & then starting from the bottom again. I already have a masters so I owe a lot of HECs as it is!).

I look online at the jobs out there and can imagine myself in any number of roles- whether I would like or be good at them is another question! I wonder whether it would be worth going to see a careers counsellor?

[wysiwyg]

I look online at the jobs out there and can imagine myself in any number of roles- whether I would like or be good at them is another question! I wonder whether it would be worth going to see a careers counsellor?

I wonder the same thing - I had another thread about it on here somewhere but didn't get any real replies directing me towards a careers counselor. Lots of places seem to charge a fair amount and I would be willing to pay but do wonder whether I would come out knowing anymore - hence after peoples personal experiences. When I was made redundant we had access to services that helped in that arena but at that point I wasn't looking at changing career, I thought I could work full-time DH could work part-time or I may get part-time so I was just using them to find work rather than access the programs they had on career changing.

Teaching does seem to be something alot of people retrain into - I think that can only be a good thing for schools because I am sure teachers who have lots of outside of teaching life experience can provide something extra to students - careers counselling in particular (I always thought was a bit strange at school that careers info given by people who had only ever been teachers - and do think it tended to be a bit narrow as a result). Although I actually loved school and my mum thought should I have been a teacher (although was her who actually persuaded me away from that area for some reason) and am a big believer in it - I lean more towards unschooling - less rigid learning, learning through play, learning through arts and crafts etc in my interests. So don't think I myself would go down that path (plus DH is not keen on teachers I think his ex was one and it got in the way a fair bit but also his parents seem to have a negative attitude towards teachers for some reason). I find it very difficult to do things I don't believe in/agree with and am sure as a teacher having to follow a curriculum this would cause me anguish.

[shells79]

I have a political and history undergraduate, plus a bit of science in there from my first degree I didn't finish (always been confused about what to do!!) so my interest in teaching is to foster critical thinking skills. I hated school, so seem to have a completely opposite perspective to you! I had only one teacher I thought was great and she was in primary school, I do think it was more to do with trying to fit in and not having a strong sense of self rather than quality of teachers or school though. I agree though if the specifics of the curriculum are so against what you believe in, it would be a bad choice of career path.

I think it depends on which career counsellor you go to- I guess there are good & bad ones everywhere. One of my friends claims it was the best decision she ever made to go to one while another said it was a complete waste of time.

I am seriously considering going to see one as my whole life I have wondered if I am doing the right thing. From time to time I have found a job interesting but never fulfilling and I have always wondered what else there is out there for me. I don't know if thats just my personality or there is actually a better career out there for me. And maybe it is still related to not having a strong sense of identity or who I really am? I am so indecisive!!