Angelina
If you could start over again, would you change your career?
I am just curious to see how many people are happy with their career choices and how many would change them! Thanks! #business #career #teaching #healthcare #law #career-choice #career-path #career-change
6 answers
Stephanie Hamilton
Stephanie’s Answer
Hi Angelina
No I wouldn't stop working in education ever! I started as a classroom teacher and now teach at a university and write lessons for teachers. I have grown in my career, but wouldn't change. I wanted to be a teacher most of my life. It's not a job, it's my calling. I think this is my gift so I hold onto it and hope to always be of service and support to students, and now teachers too! I hope you discover your gift and that it takes you on a great lifelong adventure.
Stephanie
Thank you for the answer and well wishes! I appreciate it, and I hope I can be as happy with my future job as you are!
Angelina
Caroline V
Caroline’s Answer
Yes, I believe I would I would want to be around more patients instead of being behind the scenes. I would of wanted to do more in psychology because I find it so Intriguing. I would want to help the patients with the worst of worst mental Issues. I have taken just about every psychology class offered but not in a degree only separate classes that I found interesting.
Thank you for the answer! If you don't mind me asking, what do you do now? If you could start over, would you want to be a Psychologist, or just do something more involved with patients? Thanks for answering!
Angelina
Stephen Park
Stephen’s Answer
I started my work life as a photographer right out of college. I have BS in sociology (diversity studies) with a fine art minor (photography.) My dream was to do sociological research with documentary photographs and write research papers or maybe a book. That dream turned into photographing local musical bands. While fun and exciting, it wasn’t paying the bills the way I had hoped. So, I took an entry level automotive call center job (Big 3) and worked there for four years moving into leadership roles over time. That led to other opportunities and I changed companies and jobs and moved into project management.
In the exciting times of the late 90s and early 2000s, I found myself project managing websites and early eCommernce sites for another Big 3 automotive. I knew very little about websites and often felt over my head, but having managed large teams while at the call center, I knew how to speak with people and ask questions…so I learned.
While there, I was recruited by a smaller web development company and went to work for them as a web-usability specialist/project manager. New responsibility and a new field in 2000. Understanding how people use technology and interface with it strangely reminded me of understanding how people and cultures operate. I was designing web interfaces and they needed to look good and operate efficiently. So, my study in sociology and fine art served me well…and I learned. Unfortunately, the great little company I was working for was purchased by a larger company and within a few months our whole office dissolved and we were all let go.
I quickly found other opportunities, and even had an offer lined up, but then 9/11 happened and the offer was rescinded and all jobs dried up. My first child was under the age of one and was still fairly early in my career, so I needed to work, but I couldn’t find work in my field. I even waited tables and started substitute teaching within the school district my wife teaches to make ends meet. I was offered a long-term subbing position teaching 8th grade math for 15 weeks and took it. I was not an educator, so I learned and ended up loving it.
I went back to school and ended up getting a master’s in education within a year taking entirely too many credits at a time, but I got through it. I first taught 5th grade in my wife’s district for a year and then was laid-off…again. I pounded the pavement and found a new teaching position at an independent school and taught 3rd grade for six more years. It was the hardest and most fulfilling job I ever had. But, teachers are underpaid, and small independent school teachers are grossly underpaid. With now two children and two teachers in the family, we were doing everything we could to keep our heads above water. I needed to make a change, not out of disenchantment with teaching, but out of financial necessity.
A friend of mine was working in a contract role on a project with an automotive financing company and having heard of my predicament, let me know that a training specialist role was available. He helped me revamp my resume to highlight my “varied experience.” Despite my previous business experience, it was one of the scariest decisions I ever made. One opportunity, one resume, and one interview later I was hired and two and a half years later, I was hired on full time with the company. I initial took a role perhaps a little beneath my skill set to get a foot in the door, but worked hard…and I learned. I’ve had several different roles and a couple of promotions since then. I love what I do, the company I work for, and the people I work with. From my teaching experience, I feel very comfortable speaking in front of a room (whether the audience is eight or fifty). I learned to remain organized and agile in my approach to the day. Most importantly, I remained reflective and open to learning and trying new things. All experiences are valuable and can be used to no matter what you do.
I did not intend this to be a chronology of my work career, but the moral of this story is that everything you do is valuable and your experiences can be drawn upon as the next opportunity arises. Do not let setbacks stifle you. Embrace change as it is the only constant. And above all, be open to learning.
Wayne Fonville
Wayne’s Answer
Interesting question. Looking back is often a two edged sword. Any career will have its ups and downs and depending on what cycle you are in, you might be inclined to second guess your choices or think things might have been different if you had made different choices. The reality is that things would have been different if you had made different choices. I personally have questioned my choices many times in the past but then I realize that the only choices that make any difference are the ones I make today. If I find that I am not happy with what I am doing, I have the chance to change things. Options are always available if I just look for them.. Looking backwards is only helpful for judging what worked and what didn't as well as looking at your mistakes and learning what not to do in the future.
The short answer to your question is that yes, I have often looked back and wished I had made different choices in my career, but I wouldn't be the person I am today or have known the great people I've worked with if I had taken another route. Questioning one's path is helpful for making future decisions.
Thank you for your answer! That was very interesting answer, and I really appreciate it!
Angelina
Alice Dawson
Alice’s Answer
Why did I change? I wanted to challenge myself and found that you could still do this while playing to your strengths.
Think about what characteristics you like about a job / career and it will naturally lead you into other options that will still fulfill those likes.