Changing careers

[Porpoise]

I've been struggling with depression for years. I want to change my career, something I think will reduce stress in my life and will probably be better for my depression. Not to mention I'm probably unable to keep doing my current job for long because of my symptoms which are disabling. I found a job that I'm pretty sure I'll like a lot more than my current job, that will be easier to do, and that also pays better. A different career probably won't cure my depression, but at least I'll have one I can handle that's low stress.

The problem is, my parents will be very angry if I change jobs, because they paid for me to go to grad school, and they would feel like I'm throwing that away. I don't know if they would forgive me.

Am I making the right choice, changing careers? I need to do what I need to do for my health and happiness, right?

 

[Jeshu]

Yes that is a bit of a dilemma. Would it not be better to discuss this with your parents firstly to see how they would feel with out making assumptions about how they might react? If it is better for you than that is the way i would go. It is about surviving. Your parents may agree with you on that. (Do you still live with your parents? For having to face angry parents can be depressing too.)

i discuss it with them first.

 

[Tolworth John]

Talk to them. Explain your problems and the long term prognosis.
If you have facts, doctors reports etc that back you up, do you rally think they would want you to ruin your health, just to use your degree?

 

[RaymondG]

Are you able to pay them back for grad school? If so, you can give them their money back and would feel free to do whatever you want with your career.

 

[Porpoise]

Yes that is a bit of a dilemma. Would it not be better to discuss this with your parents firstly to see how they would feel with out making assumptions about how they might react? If it is better for you than that is the way i would go. It is about surviving. Your parents may agree with you on that. (Do you still live with your parents? For having to face angry parents can be depressing too.)

i discuss it with them first.

Based on past and recent conversations I've had with them, I can be pretty sure of how they'll react. I don't live with them.

Talk to them. Explain your problems and the long term prognosis.
If you have facts, doctors reports etc that back you up, do you rally think they would want you to ruin your health, just to use your degree?

I've talked to them about my condition and they think I can cure it by changing my diet. I want to change my diet, but I want to change my job too.

 

[Porpoise]

Are you able to pay them back for grad school? If so, you can give them their money back and would feel free to do whatever you want with your career.

I thought of doing that. I want to do pay them back, but I'm not sure if I would make enough to be able to. The career as a whole pays well enough, but it would depend on where I work. And I might not earn as much as I initially thought because I would have to be home every Sunday for mass. But if I can, I want to do that. They still might not forgive me though.

 

[Tempura]

I don't know you or your parents, but I'd still guess that you mean more to your parents than a name with a certain career.

Sometimes our decisions might upset people. Eventually they'll come to understand. And if it's us who need to learn something, then perhaps we got a change to learn it by choosing a path. Of course, many paths aren't one-way streets. We can try one thing, come back and try another thing too.

You will do what you think is best for you. Said a prayer for you, hoping you wouldn't be too stressed about it.

 

[Paidiske]

I look at it this way, OP; in ten years' time, which do you think you'll regret more? Disappointing your parents, or not taking care of your mental health?