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.

[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!

[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.....