Contemplating a Career Change- Advice, Expereinces?

[Crankin]

I just finished a 31 year career in education. Some of the best teachers I've worked with were mid career changers. They were mature, hard workers, and knew how to deal with kids. But, a good number of them also had a difficult time dealing with kids and were more "subject" oriented. And some were not prepared for the political BS and pettiness of a lot of school systems and other teachers.

I am going back to school for a different career starting in September. I am also wondering how I will "fit" with others in my new field. But, you can always change your mind. Go for it!

[han-grrl]

I've recently "switched back" to what i went to school for.

As many of you know, i have been working as a trainer. It has been time to move, and i decided i would give "science" another chance. So i am currently working as an environmental consultant. Now, there are some things i don't like so much, but thats more a company thing rather than the job itself. I love what i am doing. I'm working with people, and i like the big picture aspect...

ok as for job changing - i truly believe you need to do what you feel you were meant to do. I am glad i worked as a trainer. I learned a lot from that experience. I just realized it wasn't what i was going to be doing for the next ten or twenty years. In fact, i also know that what i am doing now, likely won't be it either, but one must take steps towards what one WANTS to really be doing. I'm still not sure - but i need to learn various aspects of the environmental industry and figure it out.

Does this make any sense?

I did a lot of talking to people and networking to figure out what kind of job i wanted. I found out who knew who, and just met for coffee, asking those people a bunch of questions on their jobs/industry. They were all willing to chat because, i wasn't really asking them for a job (not directly). When i told them that i was trying to figure out what i wanted in a job, they asked for my resume any way.

That was my experience...

good luck!