Rewarding Careers

CoolDude68 said:

I am planning a career change and I thought this would be a good place to get some feedback from others regarding rewarding careers.

My current career is probably the most UN-rewarding career and that's one of the main reasons I'm seeking to change that. I'm 45 years old and have been doing this same job for almost two decades but never once have I felt a sense of accomplishment and for the last decade I've been very stressed and unhappy with what I do. It it literally wearing me down and taking a toll on my body from stress and other factors.

I'm in the IT industry. Enough said.

If I were to change careers, what types of jobs out there are rewarding and also pay a fairly decent wage? I need to earn roughly $40k-$50k per year. I really don't want to go back to college at my age so I would also like to know about opportunities that don't require a ton of schooling but can still pay a decent wage and allow me to enjoy my career.

I know, if it were only that easy right?

Hey, it doesn't hurt to ask! You never know.

Thanks for any advice!

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I am kind of in a similar boat as you. I have a college degree and my job is wearing me down physically and emotionally. I am only 30 and so I know that I am a bit young to already feel a "burn out" and yet I am. I am thinking about starting my own business. I am still in the research stages right now. I know owning your own business is NOT easy and early earnings will probably be low as the business grows but I am hoping it will be more rewarding in the long run. Just something to think about for you. What are you passionate about? How can you turn that into a business? Good luck in whatever you decide to do! And God bless!

"I'm in the IT industry. Enough said." Not really - a lot of us like it in IT.

As to what would be rewarding, it depends entirely on what you like doing and what you're good at. You haven't really said what does interest you (besides making a decent living and being your own boss). Some people like real estate (my husband), some people like finance (my dad) and some people like the arts (my sister). They are all doing ok.

So what do you like to do?

Start a photography business. Create a website for it with a blog on the site. With that you can cover all your intersts you have listed. Its probably not something you want to just quite your job and start doing but maybe its something you can do part time until you feel more comfortable moving into full time and quiting your job.

Start by doing some free jobs in your area. Get your customers that just got free photos to write reviews on your site and be willing to allow you to share the photos on yours ite. That builds up your portfolio.

If photography is the way that you want to go, that business is quite saturated now, I believe. Everyone does photography on the weekends now. What can you offer that no one else offers? Do you possess a skill that no one else has that makes you stand above the rest? Maybe offer a wide variety of services to start out but then develop a specialty in one area (baby/children, weddings, pets) and people will seek you out, particularly in that area.

My husband and I are involved in a network marketing company. Weekly income, bonuses and residual income. We're actually looking for someone who wants to replace their income quickly.

BluFrog said:

My husband and I are involved in a network marketing company. Weekly income, bonuses and residual income. We're actually looking for someone who wants to replace their income quickly.

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Hi BF,

Post a link to your business on you public profile page so we can have a look.

I have spent hundreds of hours doing career research (mainly for myself because I was matching my personality to tasks I might enjoy doing), and it is true that some jobs pay more than others. I should be able to recall what I read about salaries off of the top of my head, but I think I read so much books and material on the subject which is why I can't remember.

It is true that some jobs pay more than others though.

I am wondering if by this you guys are somehow hoping to make big bucks or something like that.

You indicated that you don't want to go to college, but if you do I would suggest becoming a CPA/public accounting. There is so much to learn about business, people, and the intricacies of various businesses. People generally have a total misunderstanding as to what accounting entails: instead of being hidden underneath numbers and closed offices, many CPAs deal with people of all different backgrounds and experiences on a regular basis. At the age of 23-24, you can be placed in front of CEOs, CFOs, etc., and be an important part of the financial markets.

If you don't want to go to college, I would suggest perhaps a park ranger or police officer. Adventurous, rewarding, and well-respected.

Being an investment banker is a good career choice, or so I've been told.

I'm in a similar boat. I've been trying to make a career change since 2008, but it's easier said than done. Trying to figure out what the right career is for you is easier said than done. Sometimes it requires you to take a long hard look at yourself and ask yourself what is truly important to you and what kinds of jobs you think you might be happy doing.

This thread seems to be 7 months old but I'll post here just in case others might find useful.

You seem to have saved some money so you're not in "crisis-mode" where you need to scurry to make the next rent.

For someone like you, I suggest you have your own business. It'll be the best decision you'll ever have made.

Because 1) you will have a rewarding career because you can select whom to serve 2) you can make a lot more money so you can sip margaritas on a beach someday 3) you've ALWAYS WANTED TO DO IT.

I say do it, do it, do it! You only live once and if not now, when?

Yes, you can get another possibly "rewarding job" like being a wedding photographer, missionary, volunteer, physical therapist, but it'll take a lot of learning curves (time) and always be a JOB (just over broke).

If you really want to take charge of your life, start a business.

As someone who's just doing just that, I can say it's the best decision I've ever made.


Then, what to start your business on?

Do what you have already invested tons of hours and effort in. Your IT skill.

Rewarding part comes from SERVING, not because it's IT.

You can have clients from churches, volunteer organizations, a cause, etc. You can work with them to make their dreams come true. And I bet you, it'll be SO REWARDING, you won't be able to sleep at night

Live your life. Do what you've always wanted to do and NEVER be saying "I can't do that" because limitations are self-imposed.

You can do it!