Careers: Money vs. happiness?

[Drtgirl]

Who's made a major career change? I'm 32, have not liked my job for the last couple years, and have been coming home really angry lately. I want to switch from my nice, well-paying marketing job to something in the fitness industry, where my true passion lies. Unfortunately those jobs are relatively low-paying.

I'm afraid to make such a drastic move because of the money. We can definitely live on my husband's salary...but still...

Any words of advice?

[indysteel]

I'm not a career change expert, but a few questions come to mind: Have you considered a job change within your field? For instance, I serve on a board with a man who went from being the VP of marketing for a regional bank to working for a company that manufactures mammographers (if that's the right word) and related equipment. He's thrilled with the change. So, is it your field that is bothering you or just your current job?

How does her DH feel about the possible change? How stable is his job? What sacrifices would you have to make? How would it change your long term financial goals? What about insurance and other benefits?

What job in the fitness industry do you have in mind? How sure are you that you would actually enjoy the job(s) you have in mind? Sometimes what we enjoy as a hobby doesn't necessarily translate into the perfect job.

What kind of longevity would the job(s) you have in mind? Is there room for advancement and new challenges? Could you potentially combine your marketing background with the fitness industry?

I certainly don't believe that money buys happiness, but by the same token, financial worries can lead to unhappiness, too. If you can strike a decent balance, then go for it.

[JennK13]

I'm there with you. I've been fighting that same battle the last 10 months. My husband hashas recently started to fully understand just how unhappy I am. unfortunately, I'm the "bread winner", but I do make damn good money and it won't hurt us for me to take even a decent pay cut. Sure, we won't be living as frivolously as we currently do, but we won't be broke, either. Basically, I told him I was D-O-N-E and at 35, I'm too young to spend a lifetime being absolutely miserable no matter what the pay. I've spent the last two weeks actively searching for a new job in the sports/fitness industry. We'll see.....

[Drtgirl]

Indy- I was a customer relations manager for 5 years, walked into the office one day and quit. I was so fed up. My boss freaked out and promoted me to marketing manager, basically so he could keep me around. Well, it sounded great but I do not have a marketing background and now I'm totally floundering. Design an ad campaign in two weeks? Uh....I don't even know where to start.

It's turned into a total disaster. I could never get a marketing job anywere else simply because I don't have any experience or knowledge. I've been looking around, but I'd have to step back to a marketing coordinator position and take a major pay cut anyway.

You did raise some good questions though. My husband has a very stable job, and due to his industry he'd have a new job if anything happened. He's lucky that he loves his career. It's a tough choice...all I know is that I can't cry every day after work :(

[emily_in_nc]

Drtgirl, I think that given your situation (DH has stable, good paying job), you should follow your gut. So many folks are unable to do that due to financial considerations, but if you can, then do it. It's not worth being depressed and anxious and miserable every day. Sounds like your new position is a horrible fit (and shame on your boss for putting you in a position you really weren't qualified for!) I would be outta there just as fast as I could find something else!

Best of luck and please keep us posted. BTW, this advice is coming from an almost 50 year old who wished she'd changed professions or at least industries at your age. It's all too easy to get stuck in a rut (especially when you're well paid) and stay in a field for decades that you were really never too excited about to begin with. Believe me, I've been there.

[ny biker]

Happiness.

Been there, done that. I have two degrees in marketing. For a while I had a job I liked, but the next job was horrible, miserable, soul-sucking. So I took some classes and switched to software development, which I like much better. It was difficult financially at first, but that's partially because I was unemployed while I was taking the classes. My first job in software development involved a big pay cut vs. the marketing career, but I got by. Now I'm not rich but I don't get chest pains every day anymore, either.

[shootingstar]

Important thing is to have a financial cushion to fall back if and when one makes a career switch which will result in some time unemployment or if the career switch resulted some major unforseen hiccups/disappointments.

It's wierd where I'm at....an organization where there are/continue to be some significant waves of retirements...and many are career civil servants / government bureaucrats for quarter of a century where some can afford to take early retirement. And many around my age. Latter is why it feels wierd.

Happiness...it's relative. I just like to earn some money on a regular basis, plus apply my brain and ideas abit. At this point, my "happiness" expectations and desires are different than 20 years ago. Also I do look for a job's benefits in addition to salary. 20 years ago I never paid attention to vacation amounts, other employment benefits, etc. After all, not being with the same employer, for quarter of a century, a person starts to see the differences in compensation benefits among different jobs and employers.

Now I also get home by 5:00 pm since I start work earlier (7:30 am), plus get every 3rd Friday off. It's a form of compressed work week. It's helpful.
Contrast to one of my previous jobs where I started work at 7:30 am but couldn't get home until close to 8:00 pm because of a convoluted, long work commute. No 3rd Friday off. This type of situation threw my eating habits in minor chaos since I was eating supper too late too often. Unhealthy.

Some money is necessary regularily for simply have a roof, food, assurance of medical care, etc. It lessens some constant stress.

[Becky]

Happiness, definitely.

I started my career in the private sector and it was clear pretty early on that I wasn't happy there. I liked my actual responsibilities well enough, but my quality of life was horrible. I found something in the public sector, took a pay cut, and now work fewer hours on a more flexible schedule with better benefits. For me, it's been worth it.

Indy's soul-searching questions are good ones. If, after exploring them and considering the financial implications, you still want to do this, I say go for it!

[indysteel]

Happiness, definitely.

I started my career in the private sector and it was clear pretty early on that I wasn't happy there. I liked my actual responsibilities well enough, but my quality of life was horrible. I found something in the public sector, took a pay cut, and now work fewer hours on a more flexible schedule with better benefits. For me, it's been worth it.

Indy's soul-searching questions are good ones. If, after exploring them and considering the financial implications, you still want to do this, I say go for it!

I more or less did the same thing. Fortunately, as at attorney, going into federal government work didn't mean that I went from a well paying job to a poor paying job. At the time, it wasn't a huge pay cut. If I'd stuck with private practice, I'd likely be making a lot more than I am now, but I certainly don't miss that money.

Having been in a job that made me cry every day, I am a big advocate for getting out if you can. Knowing when to run saved my life I think. I also think there are ways to soften the blow, so that's what I'd encourage the OP to do. In almost every profession, there are ways to make yourself more marketable and worth a higher salary (in relative terms).

[Crankin]

When I was 32, I hated my job (teaching). I dreamed of being able to quit and do something in the fitness field. I couldn't afford to that at that time in my life, so I became a group fitness instructor and put all of my energies into that, while still teaching. I still did a god job at work, I was just bored, had 2 little kids, and felt trapped. Then I got involved with a career ladder program (merit pay) where I took on additional professional responsibilities, in more of a mentoring role. So, in addition to more $, I had some different focus to my work. Then I moved across the country. I was lucky enough to get a job in a recession, but I had to work in a horrible place for 2 years... I was ready to quit and sweep the streets it was so awful. I took a part time job in a good school district when i went on the interview and I just knew it was right. It was a financial sacrifice, but the extra time at home was good for ds #2 who was having issues. They quickly found me a full time job the next year. I thought I would stay there until I retired until some political stuff happened and I applied another place on a whim. Most school districts don't hire people with 22 years experience, because of the amount they have to pay, but this place did and I never regretted it. First 2 years were tough, but after that, it was definitely the best job in my life. I took a small cut to go there, which I made up in a couple of years.
I finally was able to quit "and do what I want" in 2007. I am definitely in the happiness more than money mode now, since DH makes a very good living, but, up until about 5 years ago, we needed my good salary to pay for college and live the way we want to. I will never get rich in my new field. I had to find other ways to get the happiness factor at times, which always involved exercise. My advice about going into a fitness related field is that even if you don't care about the low pay, there is the factor of how you are treated working in that field. Health clubs are not always the most professional environment; I worked in various places for 10 years and it amazed me how it differed from the professional environment. Unless you are going to become a PT or exercise physiologist, I felt I was always seen as "the help."

[hebe]

Happiness, but as has been said there has to be enough money to cover your basics. It doesn't necessarily have to be from your salary though, if you and your dh are comfortable with him shouldering the financial burden.

I was made redundant whilst on maternity leave just over two years ago. We had always said that we couldn't live on just one salary, but it's not been as hard as we imagined. There are very few local jobs in my field, and none that would consider the restricted travel and part-time or flexible hours that I'd need to accomodate childcare (dh is frequently away for work).

Look very hard at all your outgoings and see what can be trimmed. We chose not to continue with a cleaning and ironing service, and are always keeping an eye on where we can save a little bit of money. Expensive holidays have gone too and we have cut down on luxuries like wine. We've just switched to a cheaper mortgage, and I'm going through all our insurances looking for more cost-effective cover. I suspect that when I do return to work we'll feel quite affluent by comparison.

If you could return to your current work without too much difficulty, then perhaps put some savings in place and give it a go? You won't know unless you try. Good luck to you and to everyone else hating their jobs.

[GLC1968]

Indy's questions are wise. Definitely start there, but I 100% agree that happiness is most important.

My story is convoluted, to put it mildly. The shortened version is that I was burnt out in retail management so I quit, sold all my 'stuff' and moved into my parent's garage apartment in FL when I was 29. I got a bartending licence to give me something to do (and income) while I figured out what I wanted to do next. I started school to take some math courses because I thought I wanted an MBA and I'd previously been rejected from some top programs for no 'proven math abilities'. Turns out, I liked math and was good at it. That led to more classes which eventually led to a second bachelor's degree (my first was in Sociology) in electrical engineering and then a masters in the same field. Now I'm a product engineer (after work as a systems engineer for a DoD contractor) for a company that makes components for wireless devices.

Initially I was happy with the change, but now I'm not so sure. I do make way more money than I used to and I am also with a company that is doing extremely well even through the resession. I have job stability that I never could have even dreamed of having in retail. I also work 'regular' hours for the most part - again something that doesn't happen in retail. My husband's job situation is similiar to mine (stability, strong company, same pay/benefits, etc). The problem is that I don't really like my job and I also don't really see a way out of it. There is nothing else that I can just jump into that will pay what I make now unless I stay on a technical track. I no longer want to be technical. Turns out, I don't like it...never did. :o It's another long story, but basically I chose my field because it was challenging to me and at the time, I needed challenge (since retail was trying, but not intellictually difficult) so I thought I was making a smart choice. Wrong. Word of advice, don't EVER choose a career based on your experiences at a previous one that was totally unrelated! :eek:

Anyway, now I'm financially trapped. It's kind of funny to say that since we are both doing really well right now, but we also don't really have the option to cut back - at least not enough to make a new career feasable for me. We can cut back and save more, or cut back and take minor pay cuts...but we cannot swing an entire career change and in this economy (and at our advanced ages), we aren't just willing to take stupid chances like that.

So here I sit - killing time at a sucky job with a great company and waiting until opportunity strikes. It KILLS me because I'm a firm believer in a person's responsibility to make their own happiness. I guess you could say that I'm giving up my career happiness in order to keep my personal (farm) happiness. If we just sold everything and moved into an apartment in town, we could afford a career change - but that would be trading something I know makes me/us happy for a possible chance at happiness and that's not necessarily smart either...

Wow, sorry to have rambled on so much! My only advice - really, really think through all the scenarios before making life-altering decisions. That, and don't burn bridges...just in case. :)

[limewave]

At some point, I think another consideration is do you work to live or live to work?

Also, would it be an option for you to try pursuing a part-time job in fitness? Just to test the waters? You may find that teaching a class or doing personal training "on the side" may be enough spark that passion in you again.

Even though my day job can be tedious and frustrating, I really enjoy the job-security and benefits. I started a side-business. I was forced to because of the economy--but it was something I had always wanted to do but was too nervous to try. It's ignited passion for my career again. But a job is still a job and there are parts of if that are very stressful.

I had thought about quitting my job too and making a big career change. But I decided to try to make work work for me. I negotiated flex time and I get to work from home now. It's made a significant difference in my stress level. And I get to run and bike on my lunch breaks :)

Sorry, this post is kinda all over the place. This is something I've thought about a lot over the years. I could write a novel on it.

[shootingstar]

My advice about going into a fitness related field is that even if you don't care about the low pay, there is the factor of how you are treated working in that field. Health clubs are not always the most professional environment; I worked in various places for 10 years and it amazed me how it differed from the professional environment. Unless you are going to become a PT or exercise physiologist, I felt I was always seen as "the help."


This is good advice from Crankin, on not just the fitness fields but other fields where the issue of working in sectors/industry areas with formally trained folks, credentialism/having a diploma/degree is useful for the purposes of opportunity mobility and self-development with support by the employer.

GLC, you might want to rethink how to leverage your technical knowledge to another type of role where it's advantageous to at least speak techie lingo/have experience when working as an intermediary between pure techie folks and clients / stakeholders.

[indysteel]

Sorry to hijack, but I have to admit I'm curious as to GLC's path in life. I found your blog a few weeks ago and read bits and pieces of it. I'm sorry that I missed reading it from the beginning. If you don't mind sharing, how did you come to the decison to buy the land in Oregon and how does it mesh with your (and your DH's) career. I find your story rather fascinating, especially since my own DH is a process engineer himself (for a global engine company).

[Crankin]

GLC, you might like working in a role like the people who work for my DH. They are all engineers, most with master's or doctorates. But, they are application engineers, who support and work with the sales staff for a software company. They need to keep up in their field, but they also have to have people skills, something which has not exactly been easy for DH to find. They get paid very well, although they do travel some.
Just a thought.

[NbyNW]

I went back to grad school 8 years ago to make a career change, and even though right now my employment prospects are not great, I'm glad I did. I'm lucky in that DH has been very supportive of me.

My advice, if you are looking to follow your passion to the fitness industry, is to research the business side of the kind of environment you are looking to work in. There's anything big corporate gym to small biz studio. Every dream career has a nuts-and-bolts business side to it. There are people who know how to run a good business, provide good services and treat their employees well, and there are those who only know how to do one or two of those three things.

For example, if you were to become a personal trainer working at a large facility, are you an employee of that facilty or are you a contractor? How is compensation structured? Do you get benefits? Are you responsible for developing your own clientele? Would you be in an environment where you are encouraged to continue to learn and improve your knowledge so as to provide your clients the best possible service? Is the culture of the place collaborative or competitive? Do you have a preference?

On the other hand, if you were to become your own boss and open a yoga studio, what would that look like? What would your overhead costs be and how many classes with how many students would you need to teach per week in order to make it work? What happens as your business grows?

Getting a sense of how these businesses are run might help you figure out if you will be happy working in these environments.

[GLC1968]

Indy - I think the original idea came from the 2-3 years we lived on a 200 year old farm in New England when I was a kid. I feel like it's something that I've always wanted to do. Even as a child, I always felt that I was born in the wrong century, actually. I was fascinated with old stuff and things that worked by hand. I was never much interested in technology (pretty funny considering my field, huh?). Since my husband is pretty much always up for an adventure, when I suggested it, he was game.

The main reason this happened now (instead of waiting for a better finacial position or 'retirement') was kind of a 'perfect storm' of events. 1) We realized that NC was not what we were hoping it would be 2) my husband couldn't find good career-related work and hated his job with a white-hot burning passion 3) we learned about peak oil and 4) we saw the economy tanking and knew if we didn't do it soon, we'd have to wait for years. So we did the research and decided that the PNW was the best location for us in terms of climate and career (I have a specialized field and one of the companies happened to be located here - the other in Greensboro, NC where I was working at the time). When my husband also got a good job here, we moved. We bought our 'farm' and went into it head first. Luckily, we both love the animal husbandry part. I love planting and planning, he loves 'engineering' things to make them work. And it turns out that we both dislike crowds and most aspects of urban life, so the solitude of our tiny plot of land surrounded by acres of farms feels peaceful and 'right' to both of us.

Additionally, a month after I left my old company, the you-know-what hit the fan and I was damn glad to have left when I did. Lucky, I guess.

Honestly, I struggle with the stark contrast between milking a goat by lantern in the morning and problem-solving on high tech electronic equipment by lunchtime. It's even funnier if you consider that I came to these two 'careers' by way of a career that had my foot partly in the door of high fashion (I worked for Polo Ralph Lauren before I quit to move to FL). I used to have a closet full of cashmere and croc. Now I wear Carhart and $hit kickers every morning... :p

What is life without variety? :rolleyes:

[GLC1968]

Crankin - yeah, we have apps engineers here too. I could jump from product engineer to apps or design engineering pretty easily. My problem is that I'm over the whole technical thing altogether. I'm trying to get into program management because then my technical knowledge will come in handy, but it won't be the main thrust of my job. I'm just not having any luck at my current company and with the economy the way it is, I really don't want to risk leaving here. Besides, I really like this place...I just don't like my job.

I'm actually even considering a position in sales, if they'd take me. I'm afraid I won't like that either though, and that would mean a LOT of travel which could be a problem with the farm.


OK - now returning the thead to it's regularly scheduled topic... :o

[indysteel]

Thanks for sharing that, GLC. I have to admit that I'm total awe of all that you've accomplished on the farm. To think you both have full time professional jobs makes my head spin. You must be one energetic woman! I hope to have a snow day soon to read more of your blog. My DH and I are in love with your baby goats!! So cute.

[smilingcat]

For what its worth (not much) We all want happiness. That's a given. To say otherwise I think would require a shrink.

Depending on your personality, you could be a pauper and be really happy or you need some amount of financial security to be happy. Might be bit presumptuous for me to say that you are the latter; however, for most, we REALLY do need some financial security before we can relax and be happy.

If you think, financially you can be comfortable living on physical trainer's salary, and you love that work, then I suggest go for it. It might be wise to talk to few and find out actual work experience from those in the field. What you think and what it is can be quite different.

I also understand GLC's plight. Engineer's pay can be quite high in wireless product. And you become so accustomed to that life style, it is very hard to give up. Just because you can handle it intellectually, doesn't mean that engineering job is right. You HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PERSONALITY. If you don't, you'll hate it... Well come to think about it, any job, you have to have the right personality.

Getting back.

If you want a career change in mid-life, nothing wrong with it. And in some respect, this will be the new norm. There is lot of good to be said about career change. It gives you new start, new enthusiasm, vibrancy in your life, excitement of new possibilities.

How you go about it though can make this easy or turn it into a nightmare. Plan wisely with your finances before you commit to a career change. Expect not to have income for a year or two. Or can you take a 50% pay cut and still survive. Remember, when you were a starving college student you managed to survive on almost nothing. So it can be done. But are you willing?

My advice has all ways been and will be: If you think the opportunity is greater by changing then go for it. If you are changing because you hate where you are now, then you are running away. Next place may be worse even though the grass looks greener. So think long and hard. Weigh your pros and cons. Research your new field...

As for me, I WAS AN ENGINEER even as a child. I tore apart radios, TVs, anything electronic to bane of my parents. Even dish washer, washing machine, and dryer were not safe with me. Though I did fix all of the above and the garage door opener by age of 16. I like engineering work but I loath most of the engineers I work with. The work is either too easy and I got bored or no good solution existed for the problem given to me... Nothing ever right. The pay was unreal. I wanted to do other things to get away from the engineers but I was soo hooked on the pay and I loved engineering work. I tried to change, went to a cooking school for well over a half a year and I was disillusioned. I also tried pottery work but well the pay... ROFLOL to myself. It is a joke. So I came to terms with my demons and learned to put them away in a box and do what I like to do, Analog Integrated circuit design, mixed signal IC design and program/project mgmt.

Where am I today? Well by Jan '10, general manager of our division, Sr. Vp of engineering for the division, head of marketing and sales, and I was, ahem FIRED! VP of engineering and I was fired last. Division is no more. Finally found a job after 10 month at a very small optoelectronic sensor research house as an engineering manager. Pay is about half, Its not even in six figures. I'm not designing integrated circuits. but it pays my bills for now. I do not think in terms of career at my stage of life. It's just something to do. It's a way for me to rationalize it for now and for me to keep myself sane. Had my engineering pay was quarter of what I made, I may have made a career change. It didn't work out that way for me.

I wish you the best with your decision. Do what feels right in your "gut". Listen to your inner voice.

Smilingcat

[Irulan]

Couple of thoughts:

The fitness industry is about a lot more than being a trainer in a health club. From my experience most health club trainers are not respected or terribly qualified ( weekend certification). Now, degree and nationally certified trainers have a lot of options open to them, from studio work to partnering with physical therapy... but all this requires a significant education investment.

I see no mention of meeting with a career counselor or life coach to have someone objective help you analyse your skill set and experienced. That might be something to consider. There might ideas there that would be a good fit to explore.

[lph]

I spend probably a bit too much of my time at work improving conditions for cycle-commuters and running campaigns to get people to cycle more. This is way more fun than the government I'm paid for :D Recently I've been thinking a little bit about maybe making this a fulltime job, and looking for a job in city planning especially with bike lanes, or a fulltime position in a large company with ambitions of a greener workforce, that sort of thing. Just an idea, in case this kind of "fitness industry" is more to your liking.

[shootingstar]

Just because you can handle it intellectually, doesn't mean that engineering job is right. You HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT PERSONALITY. If you don't, you'll hate it... Well come to think about it, any job, you have to have the right personality.

Well, true. Or if one's natural skills are abit different than chosen career, a person does have make a very conscious effort and allow themselves to fall into a personae on the job. Then off the job, the person is something abit different.

I can appreciate GLC's desire to get out of pure engineering technical aspects. My dearie pulled himself out of it after being in pure engineering work for first 5 years of his career..he moved into analyst, then management and contract negotations. (He loves the latter and is quite skilled at it.) He found technical engineering work too narrow. He liked jobs which dealt more with people and organizational strategy. He spent 7 yrs., yes 7 yrs. of part-time evening courses (in addition to full-time job) to complete his MBA which the degree did serve him so well in the remainder of his career. I couldn't have done evening classes for so long. :eek:

And even in cycling related work. Right now, he's negotiating some sponsorship deals for cycling conference. He's led some visioning exercises for some organizations as a volunteer because usually in small non-profit organizations people are highly impassioned by their mandate but may need some sharpening to plan and manage their organizations and staff well.

For myself, all of my jobs always included client interface/service work in addition to planning and technical aspects. I know that my personality is best motivated and rewarded in seeing directly the effort/impact of my service/work....for the clients. Even if clients have similar problems, I don't see it as boring/tedious to hear it once more again. Each person expresses their problems differently.

But it helps to work in an dept./organization where the vibe is not toxic or kept at a minimum.

Local university here has an extensive outdoor sports and fitness program for faculty, students and general public. They have a cadre of permanent staff who led the rides, treks, hikes, etc. with their inventory of rental gear. That type of set-up would be cool to start off as a taste. They seem to have a sophisticated operation with e-commerce registration, evening talks, etc.

OR start up something like with some other people in partnership! Or begin at least by offering /partnering to do a workshop...on cycling for newbies or something. :)

[bluebug32]

This is a good thread. I'm curious what fitness industry jobs people are interested in working in?

I'm at a similar crossroads in my own career path. My two passions in life are writing and cycling. I was laid off from a very good writing job last year. Ultimately I would love to write part-time and do something cycling/fitness related too. I love to motivate people and work with them, and the thought of another job just sitting and writing full-time is a scary thought, unless it involves fitness too. I've thought about becoming a spinning instructor, but I'm still not sure exactly what the job title for "it" is.

[shootingstar]

This is a good thread. I'm curious what fitness industry jobs people are interested in working in?

I'm at a similar crossroads in my own career path. My two passions in life are writing and cycling. I was laid off from a very good writing job last year. Ultimately I would love to write part-time and do something cycling/fitness related too. I love to motivate people and work with them, and the thought of another job just sitting and writing full-time is a scary thought, unless it involves fitness too. I've thought about becoming a spinning instructor, but I'm still not sure exactly what the job title for "it" is.

Hey, bluebug it's always good to write for local cycling organization or offer to create and manage their blog.

I don't get paid for the 2 blogs below. Nor for articles in this one (http://insidevancouver.ca/author/maidiebike/), but it's just good exposure in general, particularily the large tourism blog.

However I'll be writing for a yet-to-be-released 4th cycling blog. For a cycling conference.

Meanwhile I did get a full-time job in the midst of all this which has absolutely nothing to do with cycling. Guess I'll be doing these things exclusively: working, then cycling and then home to eat and blog. :p

My Muse will be doing a triathalon. Hey yea, that's what it is, except it's 4 activities listed above, instead of 3. :rolleyes:

[GLC1968]

I can appreciate GLC's desire to get out of pure engineering technical aspects. My dearie pulled himself out of it after being in pure engineering work for first 5 years of his career..he moved into analyst, then management and contract negotations. (He loves the latter and is quite skilled at it.) He found technical engineering work too narrow. He liked jobs which dealt more with people and organizational strategy.


Yes! When I got my BS/MS degrees - I knew, without a doubt, that I could not be a design engineer. That was never my plan. I cannot work in such a confined environment (confined to one aspect of one project at one time). I opted for systems engineering first - and then product engineering (where I'm responsible for taking multiple products from the design stage into production). I need big picture. I need human interaction. My talent is in managing multiple personalities, multiple tasks and multiple time schedules at once. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills (particularly for an engineer!). Maybe I need to look into that MBA again.

I've been thinking about this thread a lot in the past couple of days and kind of smacking myself in the head for even choosing EE in the first place. ;) At least a ton of good has come from the past 10 years' worth of experiences...even if the actual career path was the wrong choice. :)

[shootingstar]

It helps that dearie has a formal civil engineerinig degree and experience, when he deals with municipalities on cycling matters, both infrastructure design and "softer"/more complex issues of advocacy, program planning.

He can see very clearly sometimes anal thinking of some engineering departments and firms, where in university engineering programs, engineers normally aren't trained, to look after the human factor at all nor psychosocial matters in the cycling experien/mode share.

In his words they're, just taking their "slide rule", prescriptive engineering standards and not being flexible.