Career Choices and Regrets..

[Redliner]

I started out wanting to be an architect, then considered journalism for a while. I was so undecided I dropped out of university when the kids started showing up and never did finish my degree. Luckily I found a job in management in an industry that is very interesting to me, but I was lucky to find it. I don't really know if I'd do anything differently - you always wonder what if but I'm pretty happy where I ended up. I'd still like to finish my degree but I'll probably do something in business management when I do.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by hkstylez

At my age, going back to school would be a waste of time, even if I graduate, and get my papers, I'll be starting back at square 1 and having to work my way up to the top again.

You're 28...I decided to change Careers and start at the bottom @ 45 Including, a huge paycut, at least 50,000 less p/y This better work out.

[YourMother]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

My biggest regret was not staying in the military.

Or becoming a teacher.

As a student teacher in my second professional semester, I have to ask why you regret getting into teaching. Not that I don't realize there are a lot of things not to like about the job, I'm just curious as to your particular reasons.

Also, funny teaching stories would be great if you feel like sharing.

[Jbo]

Started in a job after University that I thought would be my career forever. It was the family business (not directly, through an uncle) and was in manufacturing sales.

Needless to say the glamour wore off real quick. Within one year I was miserable. When I finally worked up the courage to quit, I found myself smack dab in the middle of the recession.

Worked a Jr. administrator position for a company that taught me tons but paid absolutely nothing. Embarrassing really now that I look back on it. But it gave me the experience to move up.

I now work in Commercial banking and even though I feel like I am starting again for the third time, feel so much better going into work every day.

Never be afraid to switch careers, challenge yourself or look for something that makes you happy.

[Phanuthier]

To extend to all of this, I pose a question for many of you: How long do you think you should stay with a company, in this day and age? I'm thinking about 5 years or so, some have said 3 but the common answer is 5.

Also, I was just approached by a different group within the company to change into their group (essentially, leave my new grad rotation program) and I just finished the interview. I'm on the fence if they wanted me whether I would take that position, or stay in the rotation. The new opportunity is more specialized and its intriguing, but a total tangent to my career plan.

[nik-]

You guys that took different career paths, did any of you own a home and have to sell it? I'm sort of in this position right now, and some success stories would make me feel a lot better about this whole situation.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by nik-

You guys that took different career paths, did any of you own a home and have to sell it? I'm sort of in this position right now, and some success stories would make me feel a lot better about this whole situation.

Im worried about this, as I own my own Condo and could be forced to relocate in a bad housing market.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Im worried about this, as I own my own Condo and could be forced to relocate in a bad housing market.

Exactly where I'm at.

[Jake]

Last summer I had to make a really big choice. I got into veterinary medicine at UofC and into a masters program at UBC, in which I would research aquaculture and fisheries science. I chose to go to UBC... and right now I regret it a bit . Hopefully things change, but if not I think I'll apply again to vet school after my masters. I hope I can get in again if I do reapply, or I may spend my life regretting not going in the first place.

[TylerSVT]

Ive jumbled with this, at least i was still in school to realize that i had time to change. Went from Economics to Soci now ill be graduating with a degree in both. Ive always liked knowing how the world works, Economics is good for the business world and Sociology is good for the personal and relationship world. I feel like i went through a lot of self-discovery over the past 3-4 years and now i feel like i finally have my feet on the ground and knowing what i want to do.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by YourMother

As a student teacher in my second professional semester, I have to ask why you regret getting into teaching. Not that I don't realize there are a lot of things not to like about the job, I'm just curious as to your particular reasons.

Also, funny teaching stories would be great if you feel like sharing.

Sorry, I mistyped, I regret not becoming a teacher.

[WhiteTiger]

I regret accepting that promotion to 'middle management' in a small retail chain. I thought that CASHIERS got sh*t on. What they go through is nothing compared to what a middle manager gets. Best decision ever was to leave that job and never look back.

[driveway]

Man this thread helped my day a LOT!

I just spent the last two hours working away at building up my cred for my dream-job (professor of creative writing) and working on my writing after coming home from my soul-sucking job convinced that I needed to do something immediately to make myself feel better about where I'm at in life.

I've taken a detour for the last couple of years away from what I really want to do, and I don't regret the first half of that, but the second half has been tedious in the extreme. I hate the guy I work for and I hate doing a good job for him ... BUT ... it pays. So I'm going to get up tomorrow, go to work and do a good job and think about giving my notice on Friday.

Or maybe two Fridays after that...

[Sylvanfan]

Architectural tech, is better than what I ended up in. The work experience you can get is useful, and can be applied to a lot of different fields. Unless you absolutely hate what you do, I don't think you need to jump ship yet. Eventually you are going to hit limits in this career if you stay a draftsman.

Really for me the first 5 years weren't that bad. I was paid like crap for the first two years...like try to imagine having a 2 year diploma and making $10 an hour for the first 3 months...$12 after that, up to $13 after 6 months, stay at that rate for a year. But by the end of that year I was up over $20. At that time that was a decent wage for a worker with 2 years experience.

Problem was that I should have moved on after 5 years. I underestimated how cheap general contractors and steel fabricators are, in that they don't care if they get good work they'll go to India and get it done for nothing. I can't compete with people in India using pirated software...I mean I know they want o pay me $3 an hour like the guy in India...but good luck to me living on that. Especially since I can work at a fast food joint for 5 times that. But thats what these guys say drafting is worth now. I was always good with numbers, and had more of an interest in business than engineering. I should have been an accountant...I'd be making triple what I make in drafting. Another job I thought about out of high school was Pharmacist, but my folks weren't rich, and I didn't want to take on mountains of debt. But after working in drafting for 5 years I had enough money where I probably should have looked into it than. Today....as an old codger with a family...I'm hooped. At least I saved enough that my kids will be able to do whatever they want in school.

[Kybosh]

One thing I've learned is that your "ideal" position probably doesn't exist. The career that you think you want, is probably not quite what you had in mind. You don't actually know until you get your feet wet.

Personally, I've spent a lot of time in academic environments (research, lecturing, securing funding etc.) but am trying to parlay my skills into some new areas. Initially I tried to get into some engineering type positions (I have a physical science PhD), but have found that engineers only hire engineers. Now I'm focused on using my skills to bridge the gap between very technical areas and business/lay people. So far, I've made some good gains in becoming a consultant in this regard.

As far as I can tell, almost everyone undergoes several significant career changes now. My goal is to avoid living with regret and focus more on the now.

[Pinner]

One thing I've learned in life is, it never seems like the right time...So don't wait too long for "the right time" it may never come.

[Lee of Red]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

To extend to all of this, I pose a question for many of you: How long do you think you should stay with a company, in this day and age? I'm thinking about 5 years or so, some have said 3 but the common answer is 5.

It's an interesting question but I don't think there can be a definitive answer. I've had posts that I've outgrown in months and other jobs I could have quite happily stayed in for years. In my field varied experience is a bonus so length of service isn't really something prospective employers look for.

But I can see if you take a job and an employer is going to spend time and money on your development then obviously they'll want to see demonstrable loyalty.

I'm fond of my stints back in Calgary but I wouldn't give up my nomadic career for the sacrifice of having to stay put for a while. Not right now anyway.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

but have found that engineers only hire engineers.

I would say this is pretty true. I'm amazed how little respect engineering techs get from professional engineers. On the other hand, the guys with engineering tech and/or draftsman diplomas and a couple of years of experience has a huge leg up in University, especially when it came to the more practical engineering course.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by J-bo09

Im worried about this, as I own my own Condo and could be forced to relocate in a bad housing market.

Originally Posted by nik-

Exactly where I'm at.

What's the concern?
That you'll have to sell now, rent and buy back later when prices might be higher?
just curious

[SeoulFire]

Originally Posted by TylerSVT

Ive jumbled with this, at least i was still in school to realize that i had time to change. Went from Economics to Soci now ill be graduating with a degree in both. Ive always liked knowing how the world works, Economics is good for the business world and Sociology is good for the personal and relationship world. I feel like i went through a lot of self-discovery over the past 3-4 years and now i feel like i finally have my feet on the ground and knowing what i want to do.

So you assume away reality to make your models about people work?
BA Econ here

I wish it were as easy as:

Never be afraid to switch careers, challenge yourself or look for something that makes you happy.

Hell I am not afraid - it's the HR people who suck.

To address the original question - I regret coming back to Canada.