Has the economy pushed you into a new career?
By Laceylinks
@Laceylinks (43)
United States
November 15, 2011 12:35pm CST
Early last year I got laid off, which is a personal crisis for many these days. The positive aspect of the layoff was that the job I had was doing work I did not enjoy, working for a manager I did not like, for money that did not pay the bills and leave anything left over. All of my vacations were spent at home because I couldn't afford to go anywhere, not to mention I always had to work a second job. The layoff (Glory Halleluiah!) forced me to take stock of my skills, my wants and needs, my likes and dislikes- and make a decision about which direction to take for a better future. After a few months looking at different opportunities, I decided to get back into sales and marketing. I've always enjoyed it, love talking to people, meeting new people, solving problems for people, and it seemed to me to be a good way to be in a position to put all of those aspects into a money-producing employment opportunity. I went back to work for one company and enjoyed it immensely until the tsunami hit Japan, which had a big effect on my employer and I was out of work again. I went back into sales and marketing AGAIN, but this time it was with a company with a shady reputation (although I didn't know it at the time) which really hurt my income-producing capability. I thought it was me, but it was the company's reputation I was battling, all unknowingly. The 3rd job was the one I am in right now, and this time I made sure the company had a great reputation, had been around a long time, had an excellent product line and would be a place I would be able to make an excellent income at. It's the kind of job that builds into something better the longer you do it so I'm still on the ground level, so to speak. I'm sorry I can't be too specific but MyLots has rules and I don't want to appear to be spamming. Already had one discussion removed because I got too free with info about other things I'm doing, LOL. Anyway, anyone out there been through (or going through) a major career adjustment, like me?
5 responses
@beckish (641)
• United States
26 Nov 11
The economy is not forcing me into a career "change", per se, but my current job (30 years with the same employer) is no longer able to pay the bills and have money left over, so I am looking for a second job. Hoping the economy will turn around at some point but frankly I have almost given up hope. I am glad your new job is working out for you. :-)
@Laceylinks (43)
• United States
27 Nov 11
I can sympathise with the necessity of a second job. I too find it difficult to make ends meet with just the one income. I have always worked 2 jobs, but for the past year or so I have worked on making my second income from the internet. It just makes sense: I love working at my computer in the comfort of my home, and I love to sell. Put two and two together and making money online just makes sense for me! I've been working on it and I've actually made some income, now it's just a matter of going with what works the best.
@Pushhyarag2000 (1416)
• India
16 Nov 11
Hello Laceylinks. Its bad you had to endure such a turbulent career.
My current situation bears some resemblance but is thankfully devoid of the kind of ordeal you had to go through. It also pales into inconsequence in contrast with your situation. Nevertheless, there is some commonality, which makes me share.
Its just about the right time and relevance that I saw this post avoiding another post I would have probably come up with.
I joined my current employer about three years' back for six year project it bagged for work in this city. My responsibility was contract management [semi legal in nature] & stakeholder management. I thought I had achieved management expectations & was well entrenched in my current location. Paradoxically, it is not any adverse event that is causing an unexpected change but in fact because stabilization was achieved overcoming many hostilities. The management feels I have accomplished a fair position for the project and someone else will carry on with it. I am now being invited to move to the corporate office far far away from this place to begin another core asignment for the company. This is throwing things on the domestic front out of gear. It is also prompting me to think if I must change. Unfortunately, an alternative is not ready on hand and I'm feeling I'm at crossroads. Hmmm, the next few months could be crucial. 
@Laceylinks (43)
• United States
17 Nov 11
You have important decisions to make, it seems. I see the positives as this: you have choices that could consolidate and strengthen your family dynamics OR show you where they may be weak. It's hard to uproot and move for others who are comfortable where they are, right? Weighing the options and seeing what would be the best move are uncomfortable discussions at times. I hope you can come up with the best solution for your family. The positives for me have been that I have had to think and change, but I believe God has shown me the best path for now. I give thanks that my situation is improving, even though at times I feel that my progress is slow. That teaches me patience.
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
16 Nov 11
times are getting really hard. every penny needs to be spent really wisely and we just might end up losing a lot if we do not try to keep up to the pace of the recent changes in the market, even.
Luckily I still have a lot of options and my profession still is "in demand" as i would say. There are still a lot of decent works available that pays well, if i may say and hopefully it will still stay this way.
As for me, its just a matter of budgeting, and knowing when and when not to spend for something is really essential.
@Laceylinks (43)
• United States
18 Nov 11
So what is your profession, if I may be just a bit nosy? It seems to me that alot of professions are in demand these days as we Americans attempt to keep on working even in a down economy. I hear alot of people online making angry comments about not being able to find work, but maybe they just don't want to work the jobs that are available these days? Maybe? I've had to take a loweer paying job to keep the bills semi-paid, but as I learn new skills that income will increase because I will move up in this new company. Learning something new can be pretty exciting. Yes, times are tougher than they used to be but I think it's partially because the rest of the world is getting more competitive. In order for us to keep the cushy lifestyles we now have to work harder or smarter, one or the other- maybe both.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
15 Nov 11
No the economy did not push me into a new carreer. The only thing I can do (with my health) is to make money in other ways which is: not spending it.
I assume this is what most people do since it's not easy to find a job or have a carreer at all anymore.
Less chance anyone will offer you a steady job or even a job.
@Laceylinks (43)
• United States
16 Nov 11
I'm very sorry to hear you aren't well. Have you looked into working some type of online job? There are many types of work you can do from home. Maybe something like FreeLancer? That way you can set your own hours and pretty much pick your jobs, you know? You seem to write well, I would bet you'd be great at it. There are other things out there as well that are not scams. I know, I've tried them, and some of them do make you money. Looking for online ways is something I've done for years, I have found several lucrative things for stay-at-home type work. You just have to find what you like to do. Best of luck to you.
@Aja103654 (5644)
• Philippines
16 Nov 11
I have recently graduated and passed the board exam for nurses. Having accomplished both was a bittersweet experience for me. I was glad that i have done my best, succeeded and made something out of myself. Other than that, i was thankful that i don't have to go through it again. On the downside, you might call me an ingrate, since i don't like the career i have studied for in the first place so now I find myself in the middle of vertigo, wondering where I ought to be. Now, my parents are urging me to pursue this career. I don't care about this particular career, i just want to decide things for myself from here on.
Later this afternoon, i will apply for a job in a publishing company as a lay out designer. I love books. Anything that has writing and drawing involved interests me. Even though it might not be of much pay, i think i will be happy choosing this job since i chose it for myself.
@Laceylinks (43)
• United States
16 Nov 11
I know exactly what you mean and where you are coming from. I went back to school after getting laid off and chose Health Sciences because the health field seemed to me to be the only field not suffering from the lagging economy. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a student of eating right and taking care of myself, vitamins, the right foods, all that. I figured I would love it. But after I got well into these health classes I realized that developing health programs for corporate America was B-O-R-I-N-G!!!!! I like to sell. In fact, I love sales. So now I'm in sales (which I love) and going to school for Health and Wellness. Hahaha, the joke's on me.
