Money Post what you like/dislike about your current job/career - Page 2

**Buehler445** · 06-15-2009, 09:25 PM

I'm thinking seriously about a major career change. If I do it, it looks to be a major change from what I'm used to and where I expected myself to be.

I'm 26 and don't have extensive work experience, so evaluating what may be different about the other career path inherently comes with more uncerainty than a change in jobs in the same industry.

As a result, I'm looking for additional considerations that I may be missing. If you could post what you like/dislike about your current job/career, I would appreciate it. Feel free to go into as much detail as you feel comfortable. Include if you're self employed, approx how many people are in your direct department, industry etc.

Any and all insight is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

**Buehler445** · 06-15-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

My boss is kinda demanding and I work from about 7:00 AM to midnight for roughly $3 an hour. I'm sure I could do better at McDonalds.

Funny. I heard your boss was a dick too....

How is working for yourself? How many people are you managing now?

Mama Hip Rockets · 06-15-2009, 10:58 PM

i am a teacher.

i currently enjoy having the summer off.

**Bugeater** · 06-15-2009, 11:03 PM

I do painting/drywall/wood finishing.

Pros: I get to work alone most of the time and don't have to deal with other people, a lot of variety and it's rarely boring.

Cons: Can be physically demanding at times, after 20 years of it I'm having issues with my back, shoulder and knees. I may have another 10 years of it in me at best.

stlchiefs · 06-15-2009, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prhom

I work in mining, it's a lot of fun and very fulfilling to know that my work may someday actually contribute something of value to the economy.

Pros: travel to interesting places, good pay, good benefits, get to use explosives without being in a war zone or getting arrested

Cons: sometimes you have to live in less than ideal places like sub-Saharan Africa or Battle Mountain NV, you will likely never have attractive women in your workplace, mining towns are BYOW (bring your own woman)

I knew I'd seen a picture of you before:

06-15-2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Funny. I heard your boss was a dick too....

How is working for yourself? How many people are you managing now?

It's rewarding when it's good. It's brutal when it sucks. I put a lot of pressure on myself not only to provide for my own family but also for the families of my workers. I have about 7 people who work for us periodically which includes my wife on the newspaper side. Past couple of weeks it's only been 4. We've been a little slower than usual the past month.

JOhn · 06-16-2009, 12:11 AM

Love my current job. I basically get paid to talk to people, and solve thier vacation issues. Plus I'm a member of the senior management staff, with all the included benefits.

Oh and did I mention I get paid just to hang out and talk to people?

I'm the concierge for our resort property

**cdcox** · 06-16-2009, 01:04 AM

Buehler --

I did a career switch that may be similar to what you are considering. When I was 26 or so, I was a applications engineer. I felt that my contributions to the company were marginal. While I had excellent prospects for an immediate promotion, I didn't think the new position would suit my personalities or skill, or be very fulfilling.

I did a drastic career change (academia, still in engineering). It required relocating my family, a reduction in income and lifestyle, and 4 years of additional education. Once I landed the job i wanted, I made roughly 1/3 more than the job I had left 4 year earlier, not adjusted for inflation. After that, I had to work hard for about 16 years to get into a position where (for the last year or two) I am generally proud of my accomplishments, well-recognized by my peers, and am now having important influence on the direction of my department and college.

Concluding message -- a successful, meaningful career requires a lot of time, effort, dedication, and risk-taking. Weigh the cost and benefits and make the best decision for you with confidence and total commitment.

Things I like about my job:

1) helping young people achieve their goals
2) discovering new knowledge
3) shaping the future of the organization
4) respect from my peers
5) sense of responsibility, meaning, and purpose

Things I don't like about my job:

1) longer hours than I like
2) stress
3) less control over "what do I want to do today" than a few years ago
4) occasions of responsibility without authority

epitome1170 · 06-16-2009, 04:15 AM

Structural Engineer

Pros - Satisfication of seeing a building I designed (structurally) being built.
Pretty Good Pay
Flexible Hours (thus here at 5 AM to work on a damn project)
Co-workers are pretty self motivated so I don't have to pick up any of their work

Cons - Architects
The fact that I have to get up at 5 AM to get work done some days.

Katipan · 06-16-2009, 06:11 AM

heh.

Pros - Architects. I love it when I can wheedle them into putting me into their layouts. I love that they all have filthy mouths even if it's harder to tell. I love being completely involved in the process of making something really bad ass. And I'm really dorky proud of our buildings.

Cons - Structural Engineers. ****ing expensive bastards.

epitome1170 · 06-16-2009, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

heh.

Pros - Architects. I love it when I can wheedle them into putting me into their layouts. I love that they all have filthy mouths even if it's harder to tell. I love being completely involved in the process of making something really bad ass. And I'm really dorky proud of our buildings.

Cons - Structural Engineers. ****ing expensive bastards.

Ha

You want shit to stand up you are going to have to pay for it. God knows architects can't design a safe building.

prhom · 06-16-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

I knew I'd seen a picture of you before:

Yeah, it's just like that...I was pretty amused when that movie came out. Kind of like thinking doctors still use leaches as a means of treatment.

**BigRedChief** · 06-16-2009, 06:35 AM

I'm in I.T.

Pro: Challenging mentally, great pay and benefits, usually banker hours. Can work where you want to work as you advance in skill sets.

Con: Tough job to get an entry level job in though. Your on call a lot as your pay goes up. Always have to keep learning new "stuff"(could be a pro or con depending on your viewpoint). You make a mistake everyone knows it.

**Skip Towne** · 06-16-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prhom

I work in mining, it's a lot of fun and very fulfilling to know that my work may someday actually contribute something of value to the economy.

Pros: travel to interesting places, good pay, good benefits, get to use explosives without being in a war zone or getting arrested

Cons: sometimes you have to live in less than ideal places like sub-Saharan Africa or Battle Mountain NV, you will likely never have attractive women in your workplace, mining towns are BYOW (bring your own woman)

I'd for damn sure get out of that industry. I couldn't handle not being able to go to bars since most of them won't serve miners.

**Saulbadguy** · 06-16-2009, 07:27 AM

Pros: Work with good people, good chance for advancement, relatively laid back, low pressure, tuition assistance

Cons: I have to get up and go to work every day. 20 minute drive. Can't wear t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Can't drink on the job.

**rockymtnchief** · 06-16-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOhn

Love my current job. I basically get paid to talk to people, and solve thier vacation issues. Plus I'm a member of the senior management staff, with all the included benefits.

Oh and did I mention I get paid just to hang out and talk to people?

I'm the concierge for our resort property

Isn't that the french word for "pimp"?

06-15-2009, 09:25 PM
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1595266	Post what you like/dislike about your current job/career I'm thinking seriously about a major career change. If I do it, it looks to be a major change from what I'm used to and where I expected myself to be. I'm 26 and don't have extensive work experience, so evaluating what may be different about the other career path inherently comes with more uncerainty than a change in jobs in the same industry. As a result, I'm looking for additional considerations that I may be missing. If you could post what you like/dislike about your current job/career, I would appreciate it. Feel free to go into as much detail as you feel comfortable. Include if you're self employed, approx how many people are in your direct department, industry etc. Any and all insight is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Posts: 60,020

06-15-2009, 10:58 PM	#17
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $9915644	i am a teacher. i currently enjoy having the summer off.
Posts: 13,675

06-15-2009, 11:03 PM	#18
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	I do painting/drywall/wood finishing. Pros: I get to work alone most of the time and don't have to deal with other people, a lot of variety and it's rarely boring. Cons: Can be physically demanding at times, after 20 years of it I'm having issues with my back, shoulder and knees. I may have another 10 years of it in me at best.
Posts: 70,546

06-16-2009, 12:11 AM	#21
JOhn El' Barto Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Cody, WY / Tucson AZ Casino cash: $9964900	Love my current job. I basically get paid to talk to people, and solve thier vacation issues. Plus I'm a member of the senior management staff, with all the included benefits. Oh and did I mention I get paid just to hang out and talk to people? I'm the concierge for our resort property
Posts: 25,529

06-16-2009, 01:04 AM	#22
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-588231	Buehler -- I did a career switch that may be similar to what you are considering. When I was 26 or so, I was a applications engineer. I felt that my contributions to the company were marginal. While I had excellent prospects for an immediate promotion, I didn't think the new position would suit my personalities or skill, or be very fulfilling. I did a drastic career change (academia, still in engineering). It required relocating my family, a reduction in income and lifestyle, and 4 years of additional education. Once I landed the job i wanted, I made roughly 1/3 more than the job I had left 4 year earlier, not adjusted for inflation. After that, I had to work hard for about 16 years to get into a position where (for the last year or two) I am generally proud of my accomplishments, well-recognized by my peers, and am now having important influence on the direction of my department and college. Concluding message -- a successful, meaningful career requires a lot of time, effort, dedication, and risk-taking. Weigh the cost and benefits and make the best decision for you with confidence and total commitment. Things I like about my job: 1) helping young people achieve their goals 2) discovering new knowledge 3) shaping the future of the organization 4) respect from my peers 5) sense of responsibility, meaning, and purpose Things I don't like about my job: 1) longer hours than I like 2) stress 3) less control over "what do I want to do today" than a few years ago 4) occasions of responsibility without authority
Posts: 46,032

06-16-2009, 04:15 AM	#23
epitome1170 CP's Resident S.E. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: KCMO Casino cash: $9562460	Structural Engineer Pros - Satisfication of seeing a building I designed (structurally) being built. Pretty Good Pay Flexible Hours (thus here at 5 AM to work on a damn project) Co-workers are pretty self motivated so I don't have to pick up any of their work Cons - Architects The fact that I have to get up at 5 AM to get work done some days.
Posts: 891

06-16-2009, 06:11 AM	#24
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $-969649	heh. Pros - Architects. I love it when I can wheedle them into putting me into their layouts. I love that they all have filthy mouths even if it's harder to tell. I love being completely involved in the process of making something really bad ass. And I'm really dorky proud of our buildings. Cons - Structural Engineers. ***ing expensive bastards. __________________ "Loving him is red."*
Posts: 23,652

06-16-2009, 06:35 AM	#27
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-791038 VARSITY	I'm in I.T. Pro: Challenging mentally, great pay and benefits, usually banker hours. Can work where you want to work as you advance in skill sets. Con: Tough job to get an entry level job in though. Your on call a lot as your pay goes up. Always have to keep learning new "stuff"(could be a pro or con depending on your viewpoint). You make a mistake everyone knows it. __________________ Mahomes is not a game manager. Release the Kraken.
Posts: 81,342

06-16-2009, 07:27 AM	#29
Saulbadguy When a nightmare becomes real Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $736966	Pros: Work with good people, good chance for advancement, relatively laid back, low pressure, tuition assistance Cons: I have to get up and go to work every day. 20 minute drive. Can't wear t-shirts, shorts and sandals. Can't drink on the job.
Posts: 47,020