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Has anyone changed career paths?

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Has anyone changed career paths? Especially from something requiring a higher level of education/knowledge to something technically lower in skill?

Did you enjoy it/regret it/go back to the original job/etc?

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  1. Cynthia Armistead Newman

    I changed after being in a very specialized role to another. I ran a self-insured foreign mission board's benefits program, processing health claims, doing all the accounting, etc. I switched to a technical field and had to work my way up from entry-level roles. I never regretted it in the least.

  2. Ahad Naqvi

    Sounds inspiring.

  3. Anonymous

    I'm considering this right now. I'm in management and keep getting railroaded. I'm over 50 and after resolving major department issues a few years in, my job is eliminated or expanded to something that is outside my skill set and job description. I'm curious to see what others say here.

  4. Anonymous

    I switched from finance to IT. I don't regret leaving finance, but now I am contemplating a change from IT. That change will include leaving corporate life behind at the end of the year to tackle another goal /passion of mine.

  5. Ahad Naqvi

    I did something similar. IT is amazing. Maybe you should work less while exploring another passion. IT could help pay for it.

  6. Anonymous

    Went from a VP corporate job paying a quarter of a million dollars a year (really) to earning $50 k being an advocate for women in a safe house. I’ve never been happier! I will never go back to my previous occupation. Learned a lot but it was not for me. It took me 20 years to figure that out but at least I did.

  7. Maggie Bothwell

    THAT is what I want to do. I would love to take my 20 years of experience and skills as an C-Level Executive Assistant in addition to a Personal (Private owner Assistant) and use it to make a difference in do good for others instead of making money for corporations. The only problem is that I did not complete or graduate from college. It is breaking my heart. I do not want to work because I have to, I want to work because it matters and changes lives. Kudos to you! Mad respect for your career change and the choice you made.

  8. Anonymous

    Wow. Thank you for showing me there is a way out. I know that a drastic salary cut will be involved. Your post spoke to me. Really did.

  9. Emily Keiper

    Yes, was so bored and not challenged and looked for something else right away. I didn’t value the work I was doing there so it made me feel like I wasn’t doing my best.

  10. Vanessa Calimag Lin

    Switched from a commercial role leading a high performing software implementation team to becoming director of diversity and inclusion. What seemed like a hard left turn from the outside was actually the most perfectly aligned step my heart could have asked for. I am living with purpose and couldn’t be happier.

  11. Anonymous

    I worked in banking for 17 years, became an office manager for 15, now I'm working in product management and I'm working on my realtor's License. Still not sure what I want to do.

  12. Amy Conway

    I went from 20 years in corporate to entrepreneur life and building my own business. Now I help other women make these kind of big career changes. I could not be happier, even without the consistent corporate income. It took me years to take the risk, so I understand how hard it is to talk about your skills and experience in a totally new field. But I think once you make the move, you will not regret it!

  13. Nina Johnson

    With several interruptions of my efforts to earn a college degree through my life, I often found myself underemployed in sales support roles which didn't pay a living wage.
    A few years ago, I took a chance and my interviewing and people skills earned me an entry-level job in healthcare research. The combined science and academic atmosphere was the right fit for my personality and I was inspired to return to school via Purdue Global University - all online classes so I could continue working full time. Finally completing my BS degree in midlife suddenly provided opportunities I wouldn't have imagined. I'm earning more than I did before and attending a hybrid (online/in-person) master's program to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. I wouldn't go back to sales support and I truly value how my path now has many possible different directions I can follow.

  14. Anonymous

    I did this and I do not regret it- it made me happier, better pay (thankfully as I know this is not always the case), and much less stressful.

    I would recommend, for yourself - do what you think is best for YOU! You may know deep down what you want, which role outweighs the pros/cons?

    I also made a list and ultimately did what I felt was right, best wishes to you which ever path you choose.

  15. Anonymous

    I am still in the same industry, but moved from underwriting on the company side (50 hours a week at least with little PTO) to working on the agency side in a support role (never more than 30 hours a week, more PTO, and WFH)

    yes, it was a small pay cut, but my quality of life is so much better.

  16. Anonymous

    I did this, regretted it, and went back to my old profession for many reasons. For the past 15 years, I have always been in marketing depts in corporate retail. I did the data analytics and market research side of marketing. When covid hit, I was laid off and thought this would be a good time to go into something more universal. I always wanted to be a Marketing Director since they seemed to have the most fun. At the time I was also at the Director level. Marketing Directors do not make as much as a what I was doing, but the $20K pay decreased seemed worth it for job security, more fun, easier hours.

    I hated almost every moment of it. I knew I was making less, I was not great at it since I did not hone my craft over years of work, I had a smaller budget so I felt more pressure every time I had to use it and I felt since I did not know what I should be doing, I did tasks jr level associates should have done just to make sure I was learning everything I could. I stuck it out for a year for the sake of my resume, but then went back to my old type of position with a new company. It was a dark year, but now I know the grass is not greener on the other side and I will stay in my lane!

  17. Anonymous

    A year ago I moved from HR to Digital Product at a major national retailer.
    I am now a digital product delivery manager. I am thrilled I made the switch. HR was unrelenting: I started work early and worked late most days, I worked over holiday breaks, I never felt "caught up", and HR is one of those functions that happens "behind the scenes" = SO much work and no appreciation for it. Now, I am part of healthy teams of people who come to work every day to try to do their best work and create the best online experience for our customers. We are appreciated for the work we do and I have a much better work/life balance. I don't regret the move one bit. I am so happy I made the switch (I'm 50 btw, so change can happen anytime! :)

  18. Anonymous

    How did you make the switch? Was there less pay involved? Who pays for your benefits? I'm closer to sixty. Hopeful but feeling stuck.

  19. Anonymous

    It helped that I stayed at the same company. I learned about the Delivery Management role during a presentation at work and realized "AhHa! I want to do that!" Then I started figuring out who worked in that department and sent emails asking them if they would be willing to meet with me to 1) talk about what they did day to day (to understand the job overall), 2) tell them a little about myself so they could get an understanding of what I did in HR so they could understand that my skills were indeed transferrable, and 3) now that they knew me, they could also be my advocate in the department (if I applied to a role in their program, they would be more likely to say "Yeah, that lady from HR, I met her and she seems like a good fit."). Admittedly, it did take me three tries to get in to the department! I would recommend perhaps finding a department in your company that you might want to transfer to. That way, there is no question about whether or not you are a cultural fit for the company (you're already an employee and have been there a while. You have equity). Once you identify a department you may be interested in, use the company directory to look for folks who work in that department and start reaching out to them. Be honest in your approach: "Hi I'm so and so, I currently work in XX department but I'm very interested in the YY role in your group. Would you be willing to meet with me for 15 minutes to tell me a little more about your job, the department and the path you took to get to your current role?" (I was never turned down when I reached out to people that way) You could even take this approach via LinkedIn if you don't want to stay at your current company..... To answer your questions, my benefits stayed the same since I stayed at the same company (I pay premiums and the company pays a bit too) and interestingly, I get paid more for doing this new job. I didn't know that when I applied, so it was a pleasant surprise when I was offered almost $10K more to do a different job! It takes some foot work, but it's definitely do-able. You can do this!

  20. Karen Rubin

    I moved from corporate marketing in the entertainment industry and became an Executive Coach. It was the right move for me, based upon my life stage and shifting goals. I found that as my life and responsibilities changed, and as my family moved around the country, it became harder to work in my previous industry. The good news is that I absolutely love what I do, and have found my second career to be challenging, interesting, and meaningful. Good luck as you make this big decision! As others have stated, no career decision is final. You can always change your mind.

  21. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | Recruiter

    My life is a story of zigs and zags - usually when people expected it least. when I owned my pet care company in the DC area I would joke that the only place I hadn't worked in DC was the White House - and if they needed a dog walker I could make it happen.

    I never regretted the changes - learned so much - and often even though I started with a pay drop I usually was up and above what I'd been making in my prior job within a year.

    I HAVE regretted running AWAY from jobs versus strategizing next steps...

  22. Ruth A. Ford, PHR

    YES - me too! Such a huge difference between running away from something that isn't working and running TOWARDS something that you have prepared for and worked for. That is the beauty of growing up I guess! :-)

  23. Michelle

    agreed on this one. I just made a transition from Landscape Architecture to interior design and felt defeated after having to take a bit of a pay cut. I was back up within 3 months and told that a raise that quickly was uncommon. Your value will always shine through if you let it.

  24. Anonymous

    I moved from architecture to corporate strategy by way of a top tier MBA degree.
    The only thing I regret is not getting licensed or at least filing my professional hours with the cert org to work towards sitting for the licensing exams one day. I would love to blend the two career paths one day and wish I had the license behind that.

    Not sure if my experience can be a learning for you, but consider what you need to put in place in case you want to go back (or blend the two?). Whether that is tangible like certification/licensing/documentation, or more intangible like solidifying your network or getting the blessing of mentors and colleagues so the door stays open.

  25. Wilkermom

    I transitioned from a stressful trial attorney career (>25 years) to non-profit fundraising. It has brought such joy to my life! I use the advocacy skills I developed as an attorney to advocate on behalf of things I care about. My salary is not what it was - but I like who I am so much better. No regrets.

  26. Esther

    Hi! How did you make the transition from attorney to nonprofit fundraising? I am also an attorney looking to make a change. Thank you in advance;

  27. Wilkermom

    I focused on grant writing and started with freelance work at an hourly rate. There are many resources available online and books on the topic. Attention to detail is extremely important! Worked my way up to larger nonprofits. Later, I received a certificate in nonprofit management and made a six-figure salary. So I was able to catch up to my prior salary in six years.

  28. Erin Thomas, Career + Leadership Coach

    Hi, yes I have changed career paths 3x!

    1st career path = environmental sustainability and conservation management

    2nd career path = organizational development, Human Resources, and talent development

    3rd career path = career and leadership coaching

    What do all these paths have in common = helping grow and develop people to change systems (whether it was systems change on a societal level, company level, or individual level).

    My recommendation to you: analyze what the through line is in your career thus far and what gives you energy.

    If you want support with this feel free to holler! This is exactly what I help my clients with.

    Www.careerandleadershipcoachin.com

  29. DANA JONES

    I graduated with BS in Equine Science, and worked as a groom on the Hunter/Jumper A circuit. I was treated as the "help" by all the rich horse owners, and the hours were overwhelming. I quit 1.5 yrs later. Then I worked retail while going back to school for a 2nd BS in computers. Now I've worked with a healthcare tech company for over 20 yrs. Best decision for work/life/happiness balance. I'm still involved with horses, but at a hobby/volunteer level. Now I'm thinking of another change, not sure what though. Follow your heart/head, but have a financial plan too.

  30. Ashley P Spear

    What barn did you work for?

  31. DANA JONES

    Woodbine Farms when it was in Oxford, MI

  32. Beverly Ruyle

    I have zig zagged through a number of industries and positions. All I can say is, every job prepares you for the next. There is a reason you land somewhere and it's not necessarily related to work. Enjoy the ride!

  33. Marquisha Thomas

    Yes, and the best decision I’ve ever made!
    Was able to work my way up both times I have done this, and more fulfilled in each situation for a different season in my life.

  34. Ann Braun

    I retired from teaching and started working for a tech company. I'm so glad I did this when I did since it saved me the trouble of teaching during a pandemic, but beyond that, I have learned so much! It is so different from what I was doing before and I don't regret it for a minute! If I were a younger person just starting out or in the middle of my working life I would have the opportunity to advance in this company but since I'm retired and want to have my off-hours free, I'm happy doing what I'm doing. 10/10 would recommend this kind of career switch to anyone!

  35. Vanessa Fernandez

    Hi Ann! I'm trying to make the move from Academia to Tech. What types of roles did you apply for?

  36. Ann Braun

    I was lucky to be referred by my daughter to a company that was just starting to take off at the beginning of the work-from-home era. I'm a" Video Specialist" - I run Zoom meetings from home. I'll send you more info in a DM if you'd like.

  37. Kristen Halls

    I would love information on this as well. Please DM too. :)

  38. Lara L Wepprecht

    I did!
    I went from social work /counseling to sales in medical footwear. I found my calling!!! I couldn't believe they paid me to do what I did! Now if I could just recreate it where I live now! The culture of health is so much different than where I was to where I am now! I found that my higher educational background wasn't useless in the new field either! It added a level of dimension that no body else had!

  39. abncu

    Yes. I worked in communications/marketing for 30 years, most of which was spent doing rush work and bringing troubled projects back on line. United Way campaign a month behind? Website needs overhauled for a trade show in three days? I was your girl, until I wasn't and no amount of money was worth the stress. So I started taking gigs as a stagehand working on lighting and sound. Just finished my apprenticeship which got more than a little delayed by COVID. It is the only job I have ever had where people regularly say "I f'ing LOVE this job." At a tradeshow last year my old life managing an agricultural magazine for a branch of ABC and my new life installing video walls intersected. It was quite a change going from having company reps wanting to buy me dinner to having a company rep effectively tell my crew to stay off his grass as we waited for the semi with the gear. But at the end of the day, the wall was built and running, and I got to leave work at work.

  40. Liz Nelson

    This is so funny. I did the exact opposite. Theatre work into a project management role on a marketing services team.

  41. Heather L.

    Yes, I did. I was a paralegal for many, many years and instead took what could be considered a step down to an admin. assistant role. It was actually what I was looking for because I wanted a less stressful job and more peaceful / positive work environment. I didn't regret the move. Although the new position did fit the bill, it did have different stresses that were unique to the type of company. I still don't regret it.

  42. Anonymous

    Due to health reasons, I cannot go back to what I used to do. Taking a less stressful position where I could be more laid back was what I needed. It's just that my current gig isn't what I was expecting it to be, and if it continues, might have to put myself on the job market again, which I dread.

  43. Bosslady854878

    Yes, I went from being an elementary music teacher to a medical secretary. I needed to get out of my school system, but was too high up on the salary scale to find another district. I am glad I made the change, and continue to teach piano on the side.

  44. Crystal Rhineberger

    I definitely have. Instwad of furthering my gemologist degree I have jumped right into bus driving…

    i wouldn’t say that the bus is step down from what I can do yet it is a whole different skill set.

    I do enjoy it and can see myself doing it for a long time

  45. Anonymous

    I have my Certified Gemologist Appraiser Cert, and finally left after a 30 year career to a new field. After 30 years, I was ready for a new challenge. Working for others in jewelry didn't seem lucrative, I didn't want to go to New York or Los Angeles. Glad you changed, many of my jewelry associates left for higher paying careers like Real Estate, and investment banking.

  46. Kristi Nedderman

    I completely changed from a high-tech career to a humanities career.
    Got another master's degree. Happy with career change - except for 100% starting over on salary and annual vaca.

    Regrets: No real regrets; I miss the friends I had at my previous company and the strong working relationships. In current job 6 years and have no friends or people I see outside the office unlike before. I miss the salary! Have a second job, so I can maintain the lifestyle I had, getting all bills paid with some cushion. Working 7 days a week is not ideal but neither is needing money. I love my side gig, or I could not do it.

  47. Annetta Moses

    I changed from being a SDE to market research. I used an MBA degree to pivot into a marketing/marketing research career. I am glad I made the switch. I enjoy marketing more than I enjoyed software development. I took a pay cut and went from being a manager to being an individual contributor.

    For me, it was important to have a career that I enjoyed.

  48. Sandy

    I have quit my job recently and looking to do this - working through what it is I want to do next with no idea where to start which is why I'm just joined this site. Any views and advise is most welcome. It's a scary time for me but I am determined to change my career path as I cannot keep doing what I have always done - zero fulfilment. Thanks for reading.

  49. Michelle

    If you are not sure what direction you should go, I strongly advised a coach/mentor/platform (like this one) for guidance. I benefitted a lot from seeking directed help. I did need to pay for it, but it definitely expedited my transition to get me where I wanted to be faster than I would have on my own.

    I felt like a lot of my transition had to do with identifying my limiting beliefs and the obstacles I put up in front of myself. The professional assistance helped me put those aside and focus on the change I wanted to make

  50. Anonymous

    Yes, I found a great coach, and that helped me make a great decision to change when a good opportunity came up. A friend recommended me to him.

  51. Anonymous

    Hi, what career coach/mentor dis you use pls?

  52. Anonymous

    Is this short-term or long-term? The question is would you find it fulfilling? Or whether restructuring the employment contract or your hours be a better alternative. If it is not aligned to your values and not your passion, it's different. I did that, and I regret it, still looking for that ideal career change. You need to clarify the reasons why you want to change beforehand. And have factored in the relevant costs, it's called an opportunity cost, which I didn't know at the time. Depending on the amount of time that is invested. If you are genuinely passionate about another job sector, and you have that skill set or hobby that you had developed then go for it. If you are looking to gain more experience for growth, then go for small changes, not wild leaps. One learns from bad decisions. I never learned how to make decisions.

  53. Kirsten Schmitt

    I went from 30 years in corporate publishing to establishing my own writing and editing business in 2016. I have never been happier and am so grateful to be working at home. No more performance evaluations—I know I do great work for my clients—their 5-star reviews prove it. No more managing staff and juggling freelancers. No more commuting three hours a day—my time is my own. I make less on paper, but my quality is life is wonderful. Don't be stuck in something unfulfilling and stressful. Your mental and physical health is worth far more.

  54. Shelley Maley, Career Coach (PHR, GCDF)

    Life is too short! I've left two high-paying careers and accepted positions where I was making less money, but I was far happier and healthier. Do something that makes you happy!

  55. Sabrina Cortes

    I originally left my job to stay home when I had my son. After we moved, I needed to bring in some kind of income and now, I love what I do because I'm helping people while I get to stay at home with my son, and I'm also able to focus better on my health and have made lifestyle changes that have made a huge difference for me and my family.

  56. Liz Milne

    I went from bookkeeper to freelance writer: love it, wouldn't go back!

  57. Anonymous

    Yes, I changed from a 30 year continuous career in the Jewelry field, went to school for 2 year mechanical engineering drafting degree, Boeing came to our school to interview candidates and I was hired. I was 54 ish. It was invigorating and challenging to try something so different. Eventually I more than doubled my salary, along with a pension, and 401k. So financially it was an epic improvement after I received promotions and raises. The first 5 years I could design and be creative, the next 7 years were not as interesting. The change from smaller businesses to the large corporate world took an adjustment. Looking back both fields had good times and not so good. Good team mates, and good managers make the all the difference. I think during the last 7 years I felt like my soul had been sucked out of me, and after reading so many similar scenarios in fairygodboss posts, I decided to retire after being part of the Covid/plane crash lay off. Jewelry is part of my DNA, I am designing in my head alot. I don't think I want to work for someone again, maybe just for myself. After 30 years in the field, I was jaded (yes pun intended).

    It was time to try something new. So yea, if something else is interesting I would try it. If you leave on good terms you could probably go back,

    Or try something else. Miraculous things can happen when you step away, and let the universe take over.

    :).

  58. Dana

    I think most people end up doing this. I was a teacher for many years. I really enjoyed it and some of my best most fulfilling memories are from this career. However, I got quite interested in computers and worked on another degree in Computer Science WHILE I WAS STILL TEACHING. The capitalized emphasis is important because you don't want to stop working to work on getting the education/training you need unless you have to. This also allows you to more easily pay for the education/training and stretch it out if necessary. I always tried to not quite a job until I had another lined up. Of course, I know that is not always possible.

  59. Sheila

    Looking for a new career!!!

  60. Greg veach

    Will I could see were thst would differently would make s difference with me

  61. Greg veach

    Ok will that's the only part of it that scares me just Lott if u u understood that there Etty you you you can you you can get it done before the end of the day but I don't have any cash to you and your help today there are you rt now and where do I need to get back to me there baby

  62. Anonymous

    Hello, I am in need of guidance. I am trying to transition from a legal assistant to Human Resource Generalist. Last June I received my MBA in Business Administration and I have had no luck only rejections. So to broaden my job search I want to apply to other jobs. However I don't know which jobs I would qualify or which jobs I could or should apply for based on my skills, experience and education. So if anyone could give advice or help with suggestions on websites, apps, or anything besides costly career counselors that I can't afford would be greatly appreciated and welcomed.

  63. Anonymous

    Yes, I changed careers (twice), and, NO, I didn't regret it or go back to the original career.

    I went from a nurse to an EHR (Electronic Health Record) instructor, teaching clinicians how to use their medical software to document patient care. Then, I changed again because I wanted to build the EHR documentation and support it (Systems Analyst). All of these careers were within healthcare and much of what I became expert at overlapped in each career change.

    The first time I changed careers from a nurse to an instructor of medical staff, it was from something requiring a higher level of education/knowledge to something technically lower in skill. Since the positions were for consulting jobs, the pay was a lot better than nursing with less stress. I was under contract, and the jobs were in different locations across North America. I enjoyed the work, the paid travel and hotels, plus the frequent flyer miles were an added bonus.

    The second time I changed careers to build EHR documentation, I had to learn the flipside of what I had been teaching, so technically I went from a technically lower skill to something requiring a higher level of knowledge. The pay was actually a bit lower and salaried, but more steady, and the benefits were great. I had children in school and I needed to be home more.

    When I changed careers each time, I learned how to do the new jobs on the job and with pay. It was well worth it for me to shake it up, periodically, to adjust my job to my life instead of the other way around. I planned on the last career change as I was winding up a contract for my last consulting job.

    Life is about change. What works for you may not work for someone else. You have to be willing to take a risk when you make major changes, and also be willing to count on yourself. I bet everything on me, and I also served as my own backup - just in case things didn't go as I expected. It helps to really like what you do and what you want to do in order for you to give it your best shot, too. Good (skills!) luck.

  64. Anonymous

    I am currently a nurse with 12 years of experience looking to leave patient care and find something similar to this! I recently quit my job with nothing lined up - just felt very necessary, but not sure how to find the opportunity to pivot into! any suggestions there? thank you so much for sharing

  65. Vielayo

    It takes real courage to even think about a career change, especially at 50. I made the switch at 37 from a burned-out nonprofit role into fintech, and honestly, I haven’t looked back. The structure, innovation, and respect for time and talent were so refreshing. I started learning about digital products and now consult on white-label budgeting software for companies helping people take control of their finances. It’s meaningful work, and the environment is healthier. Life’s too short to stay in places that drain you. Your skills are transferable. You’re not stuck, you’re just in the transition phase.

  66. Glori

    I love your answer here! I have been in non profit leadership for most of my career and I am looking to transfer my variety of skills to the for profit industry, but I am 56, and it's been really hard to do. Any advice is much appreciated.

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