Career Fatigue

10 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 4:14PM UTC

   The answer for me (to help energize me and get additional skills) is to work towards an MBA. Plan to take my time reviewing what my next steps are after that. I will probably see if I can apply my new MBA skills to my current job and see if that improves things. If not, I can look for other work internal or external (if there is a RIF or get fed up at my current employment). Most likely, I would lean towards staying with the company.

2. AnonymousApril 20,2023 at 8:08PM UTC

   I am also considering going for my MBA - my current employer fully pays for it - BUT it is a time intensive program 2.5 years long with about 15 hours per week. I have 2 kids and work 50 hours a week, so not sure if I can manage all of it at once. I am thinking about it though as something that can expose me to more people, get more visibility and enhance my marketability. Its a tough decision!

3. AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 7:40PM UTC

   I am going through WGU (Western Governors University) for my MBA. They want you to put in 15-20 hours a week of study. The schedule is very flexible. They also allow people to accelerate through the program to finish faster. The program is based on competency (you do at least B level work, you pass the class). The classes are designed for busy people. The standard schedule is 2 years but it looks like I will be done in a year. Have had a good experience with them so far.

4. AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 8:38PM UTC

   I spent many years in entertainment in a business development capacity for film and television.

   After 10+ years I was burned out with the international travel aspect (it gets old very fast). I too soul searched and determined that the part of the job I still loved was contracts and relationships. After many informational interviews, I found my shortest path was to take the Paralegal Certification program from a well known law school ( i already held a b.s. in Business). It was accelerated program and took me 4.5 months. Passed the exam and then went to work for a number of content companies then branched out from there.

   This was the best possible world for me. It proved recession proof, highly in demand and worked across all industries. It's a 6 figure position at my senior level, very flexible and just challenging enough to keep me engaged but not a burnout situation ( I only work in-house...not law firms). I love the freedom and the flexibility it provides without sacrificing $.

   So for me, pivoting in my late 40s was a great decision.

5. MeredithApril 17,2023 at 12:52PM UTC

   I like the international travel type things. I'm sure it has it's downsides, but how did you get involved in the business development aspect for film and television? But I would be very interested in hearing all about this paralegal program as well. I currently work in business development for a non-profit, it's been a bit of a bumpy ride in my past to get me to now so I'm trying many ways to ensure that may future is going to be okay. If you want to private message me I can probably figure out someway to do that.

6. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:02AM UTC

   I was in IT for 25 years, and when my employer laid me off after 22, I went back to school and got a master's degree (seminary), so my first career pivot was into ministry. I then added a second Master's in professional counseling and am now working on a Doctorate in Human Services. Although I am not making anywhere close to what I was making when laid off in IT, I am making up for it in the satisfaction that I am making the world a better place for those the world would like to throw away.

7. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:26PM UTC

   I was on an IT/graphic design track, but wanted more stability and career growth opportunities in my mid-30s. I focused on a couple of different state agencies instead of a specific job or field and applied for everything that felt doable. I accepted an entry-level role I was over-qualified for in a field I didn't even know existed. My unexpected background was the reason I got the offer - but not everyone is willing to utilize advanced skills for things that aren't part of the original job description. I was fine with it and happy to show them what I could do. I went from entry-level support to being in charge of the office in a handful of years and have a wonderful career in a field I love.

8. Christi LopezApril 14,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

   I worked as an executive secretary for 20 years. It paid the bills, I have excellent organizational and communications skills. I really excelled at it, but it was never supposed to be my career. Life just happened.When I was 40, I was in a situation where I was seriously looking at becoming a single mother (husband is a recovering alcoholic - me asking for a divorce was what caused him to get sober - we're still together). I knew that my salary wouldn't cut it. So I went back to school for something I've always enjoyed - graphic design. All of my experience and skills from a secretarial background (and my own personal high standards) helped me excel at graphic design. Once I finished my degree, my director created a graphic design position for me and that's what I've been doing for the past 6 years. When the pandemic hit, I went back to school again to get my BFA. I absolutely love what I'm doing, and going to University for my first time in my 40s has been a great experience. Just the chance to explore different options for minors has been great. I never thought I'd have a Museum Studies minor, but working on exhibits has been fun. I'm hoping to eventually find a graphic design position with a museum. So just find what interests you, what you enjoy doing, and go for it. You won't regret it.

9. Joann S. LublinApril 14,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

   If you pursue additional education while sticking with your current employer, there's a good chance the company will subsidize or even cover the entire cost. So that's something else to think about. Good luck!

10. Zeecil KimmelApril 14,2023 at 1:30PM UTC

    I worked my entire technical career as post-sales support. Since I was 21 I have been going to customers to install, configure, and break-fix their IT infrastructure. My work history spanned over 25 years and several companies. The company I worked at for 16 years could not figure out how to utilize me in any other role. At 47 I got hired by a smaller, cooler company and I am for the first time in my life a Pre-Sales engineer with the title Senior Sales Engineer. I love the work - I am perfect for the role. The learning curve has been a steady line straight up and in 8 months at the company its like a wild roller coaster ride but I have never been happier and do not regret it one bit. My advice to everyone: GO FOR IT!