Have you ever changed careers?
What did you used to do and what do you do now? Why did you make the change?
Did you have to go back to school? Did you do it part time or full time and did you have kids yet?
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Yes. I used to work in nonprofit fund development and now I'm a writer/manager for a training company--so I design internal training curriculums, write and review content, and manage a small team of writers.
When I was at my old job, I did a low-residency MFA program in Creative Writing. I really believe that got me in the door at my current job. Even though technically I could have done the job without the degree, I don't know that they would have considered me for the position I started in without that experience.
In all fairness, there are similarities between both roles--but the industries and the type of content I create/interact with are vastly different.
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I'm working to go from legal management into teaching!
I'm changing because I really want to do something that involves interacting with young people and helping them learn. I don't want to sit at a desk alone everyday anymore.
I did an alternative certification program online while I continued to work full time. I also had to pass a state content exam for the area I wanted to teach (science). I also was required to obtain a certain number of observation hours. I've used PTO at my job to take care of these days off. Your first year of full-time, paid teaching is considered your probationary year. After that year of teaching I will be considered a certified teacher. I've just currently made an arrangement to go to part time (32 hours a week) so that I can substitute teach one day a week until the end of the school year. It isn't a requirement, but I'm having trouble getting any job offers with absolutely zero teaching experience, so I'm hoping subbing will help me.
I've been doing the entire program with an LO and while working full time up until this point! It has been challenging but my spouse has been very supportive and picked up a lot of my slack while I'm studying/going to job fairs/etc.
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@DillonLion: that's amazing that you've done the program while working and with a LO at home!
I keep thinking I would love a career that is more flexible but I really like what I do, so perhaps what I need is to just find a flexible position.
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Soooort of. It was more like I hadn't really started although I started my MA and I worked pt. Then I decided I didn't want to. I was a SAHM. I went back to school for some classes/certificate, not a full degree. I just started working in the field. A lot of it is learn on the job, but the education provided me with the base of knowledge (legal stuff, etc) to start working. It is hard starting out with two kids, but I'm loving it so far.
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Sort of. In between college and grad school, I worked as a researcher in a related but different academic field than the one I'm working in/getting my PhD in now. It's not a total professional shift but very different than what I was doing
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Yes. Worked 5 years in educational and academic publishing. Then I got my Masters in Teaching and have never looked back.
This all happened before getting married and having kids. I got engaged the month I started my teaching job.
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Yes. I worked at a contemporary art space in New Mexico for 5 years. I changed careers when I moved back to my hometown. There was nothing similar in that field, and I couldn't get a job in the arts in my town. I worked in mental health for 3 years and now am an administrative assistant at a CPA firm. I miss the creativity and energy of my arts job- I even dreamt about it last night!
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Yes, my degree is in Psychology and I worked at an inpatient psychiatric facility when I graduated. I got burnt out really quickly and didn't want to go on to get my PhD in a field that I wasn't in love with. I kind of randomly made the switch to a non-profit economic development organization, and I'm so much happier. I would have never seem myself doing economic development work and small business lending, but it's the perfect fit! I'm pregnant with my first now, so this all happened before I had children, but my company is really family-oriented and supportive.
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Technically yes. I use to be in the Navy. I was injured and had to get out. So now I am a civilian but I still work for the Navy.
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Yes, I used to work in direct mail marketing, and now I work in software design. I went back to grad school in my late 20s to make the switch.
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Sort of (not really). I started out as a Middle School English teacher for 5 years. On year 3, I realized I didn't want to do that the rest of my life so I applied to library school and completed my MLS while still working. Year 6, I started my first school librarian position. Still doing it now year 13.
Love being a school librarian.
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I'm thinking about transitioning into becoming a librarian. I'm looking into MLIS programs in my area.
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Yes but it has all been within art and design.
I graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design and then first 7 years of my career I was doing designs that are web, user interface, and digital media related. We had a big relocation toward the end of the 7 years, and it was a perfect excuse for me to take a break, half a year off, and I taught myself After Effects. I jumped right into motion graphics design / animation after that and I was working in broadcast / on-air design for TV networks, and I was immediately very successful. That was what I did for the past 10+ years. Until a few years ago, my LO was born and I can no longer work like I used to, which was high-stressed, 60-80 hours a week commitment. I again took some time off, took a few online classes, and have been trying to go into art licensing, designing /illustrating for products, greeting cards, children's books, wall art, home decor, fabric and such. It is a much tougher road than what I am used to, but it is slowly getting there
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I am trying to right now. When I finished grad school I had a tough time finding a job and took the first real offer I got because I couldn't afford to spend any more time unemployed. I have been here about 2.5 years now, and while my job is (mostly) interesting, I would LOVE to get back to what I studied.
In order to do this I am applying for a short course (6-session) in an area related to what I'd like to be doing. I'm hoping it will (a) help develop some skills I am a little weaker in, and (b) allow me to network with people in the field I want to move to. Luckily my boss is fantastic and lets me pursue any professional development opportunities that I find, even if they are not related to my current position/field.
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sort of. ive been at the same company for 10 years, but switched teams. now i'm one that is much more flexible and family friendly (less travel, less customer interaction) so it was a great move for me
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