No advice to offer, however I've been contemplating something similar. I've been at my job for 24 years now. I'm a computer operator at a small community college. I am 5 years away from early retirement. I need 30 years of service, but I can "buy" 1 year of service because I have accumulated enough sick days to do so...which brings me at 5 years before I'm eligible. I honestly don't know if I can make it there 5 more years. I'm extremely bored and unhappy with what I'm doing...and we are currently going through a major software/hardware conversion which may (or may not) end up eliminating my position altogether. I haven't been told anything yet, nor have I been trained on the new system (most of my colleagues I have already gone through some training). Lots of unknowns, for sure. I would LOVE to try something totally new and different...even if it's just part-time (w/benefits).

I admire anyone who is unhappy in their job and is contemplating a career change in a totally different direction. I'm too "chicken" to actually go through with it right now...but I guess if I'm forced to (if my job is eliminated) then I'd take that leap of faith and do it.

Linda