What do you do? Careers question

[Vovchandr]

From what I see 7's gather fans from all walks of life. 

 

I'm in my mid 30's, tech in Semiconductor industry. Been at it for over 10 years and deliberating on moving on to Engineering in my career path, however grass is always greener.

 

Coding always looks interesting as a potential career change with high demand or something in data science/analytics, which seems more alluring.

 

 

What do you do? Do you like it? Does it pay the bills? What does the future outlook like for your career?

 

I like Semiconductors. Always something to learn and is definitely future proof. It pays the bills but on the grand scheme of things even as Engineer 6 figure salary isn't guaranteed and takes a while to get to in my area. 

 

[fastg]

Database Management on high performance mainframe database systems. It pays the bills very nicely. I love the complex three dimensional problems that occur frequently, they keep you sharp. People thought I was mad staying on the mainframe world, but as the number of mainframes has gone down so has the number of people that can support them. So it has worked out well, cruising to retirement. 

 

Graham 

[kayentaskier]

Retired now, but semiconductor material  and equipment sales executive most of my career. Started our as an entry level material sales person and worked my way up to global level Sr. VP and regional President. It offered my great money and the chance to  live in Japan, but at the cost of very, very poor work/life balance. The last 10 years I was away from home 200 days/year and had to be available by phone/email 7 X 24. I don't miss it a bit.

[scannon]

Retired aerospace engineer.  Three pensions and a nice IRA makes me comfortable $wise and able to indulge in my life long habit of cars.

 

Aerospace was an interesting career, I worked on many different space vehicles and components and have the coffee cups to prove it. 

 

I was employed by Thiokol, Martin Marietta, Jet Propulsion Lab and I retired from Ball Aerospace.

 

My current fleet includes 2019 Miata 30 th Anniversary Edition, 2021 Honda Accord Sport and 2021 C8 Corvette FHC.  I'm on three waiting lists for a Z06.

Edited March 8, 2022 by scannon

[mrmustang]

I've done quite a bit in my short time on this planet, (not in any specific order) shoveled driveways in the winter, mowed lawns in the summer, worked as a waiter, dock worker, retail sales, realtor, property manager, body shop owner, networking with SGI/Cray (remember them), customer service "cooler", multiple retail franchises....In house #5 in the last 37 years of marriage, all in three states......Some of the above treated us very well, others were not the greatest investments or ideas, in the long run, we made out pretty good considering our ages..always lived below our means, paid off our mortgages and business loans early, credit cards a week before they are due, never bought anything on long term credit.....SWMBO and I retired middle of last year, she right on time, me, 3 years earlier than I expected so I could take care of a terminally ill family member.

 

Car wise, Skip can attest to, I've had a few (300+ and not in the business), currently a 289 Roadster by SPF, Ford 2.5L 2006 Miata GT, and my 70 GT350 Shelby convertible for the toys, with a Subaru Legacy, Ford Explorer for daily drivers, and a new Expedition on order, which I'll be lucky to see in June or July.

 

Our advice, get your finances in order, then follow your dreams, you want to go back to school to enhance your skills and take that next step, see if your current employer will foot the bill, online and night courses are the key to a semi cost free "next step". Finally, if you are unsure of taking that next step, which from your initial post, you just very well may be, don't rush into anything, take your time, plan it out, then review your plan(s) and change as needed.

 

Wish you the best of luck

 

Bill S.

[KnifeySpoony]

1 hour ago, mrmustang said:

I've done quite a bit in my short time on this planet, (not in any specific order) shoveled driveways in the winter, mowed lawns in the summer, worked as a waiter, dock worker, retail sales, realtor, property manager, body shop owner, networking with SGI/Cray (remember them), customer service "cooler", multiple retail franchises

Reminded me of:

 

[mrmustang]

39 minutes ago, KnifeySpoony said:

Reminded me of:

 

I was one of those kids that could not sit still, that, and my parents instilled a drive (no pun intended) to work for what I wanted. Some of the above (and others that were not listed) overlapped each other, as I was the consummate entrepreneur. Being a hyperactive ADHD child/adult was looked at by others as a bad thing, not for me, as I could (and still can) do multiple tasks at the same time. It is a rare occurrence where my mind is not going in 10 different directions at any given time. As an example, while typing out this response, I'm watching the news, carrying on a conversation on my cell, and sketching out the layout of the replacement cabinets in my small workshop, along with finding pricing for sheetrock for my wifes 1 car attached garage. To most, this is mind boggling, for me, just a typical afternoon.....

 

Bill S.

[Vovchandr]

3 minutes ago, mrmustang said:

I was one of those kids that could not sit still, that, and my parents instilled a drive (no pun intended) to work for what I wanted. Some of the above (and others that were not listed) overlapped each other, as I was the consummate entrepreneur. Being a hyperactive ADHD child/adult was looked at by others as a bad thing, not for me, as I could (and still can) do multiple tasks at the same time. It is a rare occurrence where my mind is not going in 10 different directions at any given time. As an example, while typing out this response, I'm watching the news, carrying on a conversation on my cell, and sketching out the layout of the replacement cabinets in my small workshop, along with finding pricing for sheetrock for my wifes 1 car attached garage. To most, this is mind boggling, for me, just a typical afternoon.....

 

Bill S.

 

I tend to be risk aversive and overthink things with a cost benefit analysis. Definitely reluctant to jump into anything, hence the 9-5 life. (7-7:30 technically but semantics)

I've done entrepreneuring before which didn't have potential but taught me a lot and how much time your own business can take up. In early 2000's I had big dreams and actually composed a local auto/moto enthusiast newspaper with I believe 2000 print issues for first edition. Distributed it anywhere I could and made a forum for people to read the digital version on and just chat. After 2 issues it made no sense to keep the print going and just kept the forum going for close to a decade. Was the most successful local area forum to date, a couple of thousand members, high visit numbers, over a million posts total etc. Ended up selling it for next to nothing when I realized that it's a dead end direction long term and it wasn't worth my time in the end to deal with drama and online trolls. 

 

Still always keep an eye on branching out to something else potentially (hence the post) whether it be career or business but so far very comfortable where I am and seeing the years go by. Low risk and comfortable here but obviously "low" financial reward as well. I'd like to be in 6 figures in this career and likely will be able to stay happy, until then I'm on the lookout. 

[mrmustang]

18 minutes ago, Vovchandr said:

 

I tend to be risk aversive and overthink things with a cost benefit analysis. Definitely reluctant to jump into anything, hence the 9-5 life. (7-7:30 technically but semantics)

I've done entrepreneuring before which didn't have potential but taught me a lot and how much time your own business can take up. In early 2000's I had big dreams and actually composed a local auto/moto enthusiast newspaper with I believe 2000 print issues for first edition. Distributed it anywhere I could and made a forum for people to read the digital version on and just chat. After 2 issues it made no sense to keep the print going and just kept the forum going for close to a decade. Was the most successful local area forum to date, a couple of thousand members, high visit numbers, over a million posts total etc. Ended up selling it for next to nothing when I realized that it's a dead end direction long term and it wasn't worth my time in the end to deal with drama and online trolls. 

 

Still always keep an eye on branching out to something else potentially (hence the post) whether it be career or business but so far very comfortable where I am and seeing the years go by. Low risk and comfortable here but obviously "low" financial reward as well. I'd like to be in 6 figures in this career and likely will be able to stay happy, until then I'm on the lookout. 

I think by starting this thread, you are headed in the right direction, mindset wise that is. You'll need to open yourself up to the potential of moving for a higher paying position as Albany (I own 2.5% of a multi story building downtown) NY gives you a limited list of potential employers that may have a 6 figure opening. On top of that, you then need to look at cost of living if you plan to move, say NYC vs Albany, where the cost of living is easily double:  https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculator

Keep looking at the bigger picture, as you have been to date, don't get caught up with a specific number for a salary, instead look at your quality of life, one jobs stress vs another, health and long term employee benefits, management styles of one company vs other, even commute times and associated costs. Start a spreadsheet if you need to, or a simple legal pad with two columns of wants and needs for each job you are interested in, and their associated location. Don't overthink it, but do think it through. Above all else, ask questions, either to others, or to yourself in the mirror if need be, sounds funny, but it works.

 

Best to you and yours in reaching your goals.

 

Bill S.

[Kitcat]

Lawyer for 50 years. Many different specialties over that period, ending with representating disabled veterans in their never ending efforts to get the government to honor its promise to take care of them if they are injured in the course of their service.

 

My conclusion on the career thing is that people are like plants: every 10 years or so they need to do something new, otherwise they become “root bound”. It is frightening to head off in a new direction, but getting out of the same old comfortable rut can offer a level of interest, enthusiasm, even adrenaline, as you try to master a new vocation(with your financial life hanging in the balance!).

[lucky dawg]

I spent the majority of my career in the Special Investigative Unit (mainly fraud and arson cases) with a large personal lines insurance company. Decent pay, benefits and hours. Very interesting work that I truly enjoyed. For extra variety I did more than the basics, such as getting involved in professional organizations and becoming a guest instructor at the state Law Enforcement Academy. 

 

For me, adding to what I did was better than changing what I did. Also had enough fun things away from work to keep me happy.

[CarlB]

I have been a real flake and done a number of things. I was in the tire business and as a spin off became a racing tire dealer and part owner in a race car shop. We raced formula fords mainly. When the tire manufacturers stopped pricing tires differently in different markets and the ability to make money on the difference, I got in the capital equipment business. First selling engines for a manufacturer, but most of the time as a HVAC salesman. That got me interested in energy projects and actually let me make a living with my education. I developed and reviewed projects for cost savings and showed how the savings impacted the financial performance of the building. I am retired now and comfortable. I have some simple advice. People will pay you to do something hard. Taking risk can be rewarding, but you better really want to do it. Invest in yourself. buy stock. 

[Christopher smith]

Thanks for asking. I spent my 47 years working using my BS Chem + MBA in industry. Much of it tech service, helping people formulate and engineer systems for plastics, paints, adhesives, industrial explosives, cements etc.. As International Marketing Manager it took me to all sorts of places aside from the Middle East and Antarctica. Fortunately it got me to the UK many times and so I found my Series1 Lotus 7 to import to America. Unfortunately it left little time for things like putting together my completely disassembled 7 until I retired. I still regret not switching to engineering instead of chemistry but had a great friend who helped make up for that when it came to getting the 7 to SCCA specifications and running great.

[Croc]

Not sure my career is a particularly good model for anyone to follow given the zig zags and multitude of countries it has weaved through although it has had a consistent insurance industry focus for 35 years.  Supermarket worker, mail deliverer, accountant, actuary, auditor, analyst, management consultant, bankruptcy workout consultant, financial performance improver, global tax expert, enterprise risk specialist, communications guru, and now a cat herder & fruity language generator.  

 

But I would offer the following:

• You need to move for the opportunities.  You should not wait for life to come to you.
• You have to be hungry.  If you have no drive or ambition you will go nowhere.  
• If you stay in the traditional employment model, money usually comes first from technical expertise but unless you want to be a technician for the rest of your life, higher money will come from evolving yourself by moving into management types of roles.   Highest money is obviously in senior management and thats all about communication and management of people.  
• A career is not a consistent upwards track.  There will be sideways or sometimes even downward moves as you run into obstacles in your path or life.  You reinvent yourself.  Then you regroup and move onwards.  
• Quite a number of people on this forum will have had fairly stable long term roles in companies.  Thats changing rapidly.  Expect to have numerous jobs where you make moves to sustain and develop your career trajectory. You may be an independent contractor as the traditional employer/employee relationship is fragmenting.  That places immense pressure on having your personal financial situation well under control.  There may be gaps in work in the future where you need your financial resources to support you. In the new "gig" economy you may end up retiring earlier than you want.  Or maybe going part time instead of full time.  Career may not always be under your control but your financial resources have to be.
• You need to build a network.  As much as I hate LinkedIn, it is critical in todays employment world for keeping track of people that intersect your professional and personal life.  Those contacts will be a valuable source of future employment opportunities as we don't all progress careers at the same rate.  So peers today may be your boss in the future.  Former neighbors could connect you to their new neighbor who needs a skilled person. The network will be your weak link as you shift fields/localities/countries because your old network will largely cease having relevance and you need to build a new network.  Think of your network as being your personal marketing platform.  If you need a job the opportunity will increasingly come through the people you know because you will be pitching to them you are available and interested in new opportunities.  It also helps when you get senior enough to be hiring  you will reach out into your network for people that can assist.  
• Life is about choices.  Good choices consistently will move you forward in life.  What people call luck is mostly from hard work opening up opportunities that allow you to seize them.  One opportunity often leads to the next which eventually builds career momentum.  
• You need to be resilient - things will not always go your way and you will need to bounce back.

I am glad that I am not starting out a career now.  Things are changing so rapidly that the foundations for a career are built on sand.  Industries come and go.  Technological advances are unceasing.  Companies come and go.  Information flows to be absorbed never stop increasing.  The accelerating pace of work life is relentless. The permanent shift to hybrid work that is underway presents a whole new set of challenges for career progression of how to get noticed by those above.  Good luck.  

[UglyFast]

Work for the govt. IYKYK. 

 

Wink wink. 

[papak]

Retired from 50 years of flying. Bush flying, corporate jets, Viet Nam,  three major airlines, more corporate jets. Probably half of the time I was crossing oceans and/or living overseas. An interesting career. I was extremely fortunate in that I knew early how I wanted to live my life. I always seemed to have a restoration or racing project in the garage. As trite as it sounds, do what you love... you will always have some degree of satisfaction at the end of the day.

[Pokey]

In addition to everything everyone has already expressed, I would just add that the sooner you figure out what really brings you fulfillment and joy the better able you will be to focus on creating the right opportunities for yourself.  Ask questions of others about you, be open to criticism, and consider one or more of these self-assessments:

 

1.    MyersBriggs

2.   Strength Finders/Clifton Strengths 
3.   DISC
4.   Holland Occupation
5.   Big Five (also known as the Five-Factor Model)

 

@Vovchandr, you mentioned an interest in tech, perhaps data analytics or coding, if you want more information about the knowledge, skills and abilities for these job types feel free to message me.  I'm not a human resources expert but am coincidentally wrapping up a job architecture effort at work to help our employees map out their career path. 

 

It took me a few years to figure out enough about myself to set a direction.  To be precise, it was half way through a doctorate when realization set in that I was on the wrong path for me, and then another seven years of juggling school, work, my first remodel, self-employment and our first child before having the job I wanted.  Point being, it took years of grinding to get from point A to B, and it all started with figuring out me.  I've got nearly 26 years at my current employer, and in that time I've had a number of different jobs but they are all stitched together with one common thread, a desire to help others develop into the best leader they can be.  That's what brings me joy and fulfillment.

 

If I could do it all over again I would probably try harder to make a go at owning my own business.  Not consulting, and probably not retail, but something that produces a physical result.  We owned and ran a travel agency for a bit, and I have done consulting both as an employee and as a contractor, and that was all very interesting, but I really like creating the tangible.  I also like not having anyone telling me what to do, hence sole proprietorship is more appealing than employee.  Not complaining though, I feel fortunate and am generally left alone to do what needs to get done at work.

 

The fact that you've opened yourself up like this and are asking questions is a great step and shows some real emotional maturity.  I suspect things will turn out well for you.

 

 

 

 

[speedwagon]

Having had so many and varied jobs ( 13 w2s in one year and worked for some more than once), at 80 I cannot write a full resume of skills. But I will second the last suggestion by "Pokey".        When I joined the Navy at 17 they tested us all and put us where they had a need. for me it was electronics technician (so different from my thoughts that I had to look up what it meant).  I was not happy with that, but excelled and stayed in the troubleshooter category for my whole life (mostly physics related though quite general and encompassing in nature).  But to sum it- learn what the strengths of your nature are, and look there keeping in mind that one naturally likes what they are good at. So consider making it a hobby related decision. and above all --be an opportunist!

[mca]

On 3/14/2022 at 11:15 AM, UglyFast said:

Work for the govt. IYKYK. 

 

Wink wink. 

 

I like it. I've been a firefighter (now Fire Apparatus Engineer, I drive/operate the fire engines and ladder trucks) for 15 years, large Southern California county fire department. We're considered an "all-risk" fire department so definitely a "jack-of-all-trades master of none" scenario: including structure, wildland, hazmat, rescue. At 44 years old, I'm not all that senior (or so I think!) but I'll contribute what little advice I've gleaned over the years. 

 

Previously, I've been a supermarket bagboy, tutor (elementary/high school/SATs), and account manager (educational services) before finding my career in government public safety.  I enjoyed most of those jobs with what I believe to be a healthy dose of optimism and not taking anything too seriously.  I have what many call "the best job in the world" and derive immense enjoyment and satisfaction from it, yet there are coworkers who see only constraint and negative aspects in it.  A good attitude takes you far while anything less allows you to be disappointed in the most happy circumstances.

 

You'll have to do some searching to find your version of what this job represents for me. A good attitude, curiosity, and a genuine motivation to solve problems will take you far in any profession, as many others have opined. Each day it seems like I go to work to see my friends, chat, exercise, eat well, tinker with some machines, then it's time to go home. There are times when the citizens call for help, at which point we do our best to make the problems go away and bring a smile to everyone's face.

 

I'll defer to the adults in the room (Croc, Pokey, et al) for the real advice. Work hard and play hard, and play with a Lotus or two along the way!

[Mr Mark]

In the automotive trade for years, owner/operator of a small dealership, taught industrial arts for a bit, adult education, now I am facilities maintenance supervisor for a local school district(lots of benefits). I also buy, restore, trade, sell vintage motorcycles and occasionally vintage cars, I do some pinstripnig, hand lettering, sell a few wood carvings, things like that.  Retiring a a year or two/three, so I can do more of the art and things I enjoy.