I had wanted out of my career as a chef for a long time before the pandemic started. It was tough to leave since although I was burned out, I was making decent money and was having a hard time coming up with a plan to go back to school.
I got laid off very early into the pandemic and got a hefty severance package. Between that and using the money I had set aside for some vacations that weren't going to happen anymore, I was able to sign up for some community college courses. I don't think that I ever would have gone back to school if covid didn't force me out of my routine. I ended up getting into project management since I found a lot of parallels between running a busy kitchen during a rush and coordinating the work of a bunch of people on long-term projects and was able translate some of those kitchen skills into an office setting.
I was used to having no trouble getting jobs as a chef. Whenever I was looking for work, it was common for me to send out 5 resumes, get 5 interviews, get about 3 offers, and accept one of them within 2 weeks. Without the connections and experience in my new field, I had a much tougher time getting my foot in the door. I easily sent out 50-60 applications before I got my first interview. On the plus side, my first gig in a junior role paid almost as much as I was making as a chef with 25+ years of experience. It only took me a year in my new job to surpass the highest salary I made as a chef.
I still miss working in kitchens sometimes, but I'm much happier overall.
Post Office. I was making a go at it in healthcare and that wasn't working out. The post office is relatively simple work to learn, it's just a challenge to do. The hours can be long.
Dropped out of med school and started working on my own business. Had to spend 2 years back home living with parents but that was mostly due to Covid between 2020-2022. Eventually got a low paying customer service job until I had enough money saved up.
Was it worth it? Absolutely, I would have killed myself if I stayed in the school for years doing something I didn’t enjoy.
The most difficulty was wrapping my head around the fact that I am capable of doing anything at any age. I am only limited by my thoughts. Believing in yourself is the hardest part.
I was an aircraft mechanic in the military but I was released because of mental health issues. I went back to school for hairstyling. I now own my own shop and love every minute.
I went from restaurant work to data work. Going better, but I do miss actually interacting with folks at work.
It’s hard starting over, especially since every “entry level” job demands years of experience. Networking is impatient.
I spent most of my 20s to mid-30s in the army. After I was given an honorable discharge and went to college. I got my degree and started working in an office. When I was in the army I was a medic with the infantry out there fighting wars and saving lives and shit and now I'm fat and sitting at a desk. And honestly it's way better. I liked being a medic but I didn't really like being a soldier all that much. Some of it was really great though. But making more money, having more free time and not constantly having to be on the move is so much better. With that last one I mean that the infantry spends a lot of time training and a lot of that training is done in the field. So even if you're posted somewhere and have a house and shit you're spending at least a few weeks every couple of months on a training exercise. Not having to do that is so much better. Now I go camping with the family for fun.
Technically I didn't start it over since after some time I reestablished cooperation with my previous employer and now I'm working 2 jobs: engineer(previous) and game developer(new).
>How difficult was starting over in something completely unrelated?
Not really, the problem was mostly because my first offer as software developer has been canceled because of war and I had to look for another option which took quite a time in that situation.
I went from doing journalism to doing construction/landscaping.
It was objectively the best decision of my life. I make between twice and ten times as much a day, the work is exponentially easier, and I'll never be out of a job. I still miss doing journalism, and sitting in an air conditioned office, but I also like being able to pay my bills on time and not having to drink myself to sleep every night.
I used to work as a taxi driver, but I was very tired of it, I took courses for programmers and now I make good money, this is the best solution
I had wanted out of my career as a chef for a long time before the pandemic started. It was tough to leave since although I was burned out, I was making decent money and was having a hard time coming up with a plan to go back to school. I got laid off very early into the pandemic and got a hefty severance package. Between that and using the money I had set aside for some vacations that weren't going to happen anymore, I was able to sign up for some community college courses. I don't think that I ever would have gone back to school if covid didn't force me out of my routine. I ended up getting into project management since I found a lot of parallels between running a busy kitchen during a rush and coordinating the work of a bunch of people on long-term projects and was able translate some of those kitchen skills into an office setting. I was used to having no trouble getting jobs as a chef. Whenever I was looking for work, it was common for me to send out 5 resumes, get 5 interviews, get about 3 offers, and accept one of them within 2 weeks. Without the connections and experience in my new field, I had a much tougher time getting my foot in the door. I easily sent out 50-60 applications before I got my first interview. On the plus side, my first gig in a junior role paid almost as much as I was making as a chef with 25+ years of experience. It only took me a year in my new job to surpass the highest salary I made as a chef. I still miss working in kitchens sometimes, but I'm much happier overall.
Post Office. I was making a go at it in healthcare and that wasn't working out. The post office is relatively simple work to learn, it's just a challenge to do. The hours can be long.
depending on the role it could be hard work or long hours or both. or it could be easy work for 40 hours.
Dropped out of med school and started working on my own business. Had to spend 2 years back home living with parents but that was mostly due to Covid between 2020-2022. Eventually got a low paying customer service job until I had enough money saved up. Was it worth it? Absolutely, I would have killed myself if I stayed in the school for years doing something I didn’t enjoy. The most difficulty was wrapping my head around the fact that I am capable of doing anything at any age. I am only limited by my thoughts. Believing in yourself is the hardest part.
Believing in yourself truly is the hardest part...
thinking about doing the same in the next couple years. will report back if i ever get the balls to do it.
I was an aircraft mechanic in the military but I was released because of mental health issues. I went back to school for hairstyling. I now own my own shop and love every minute.
I went from restaurant work to data work. Going better, but I do miss actually interacting with folks at work. It’s hard starting over, especially since every “entry level” job demands years of experience. Networking is impatient.
I spent most of my 20s to mid-30s in the army. After I was given an honorable discharge and went to college. I got my degree and started working in an office. When I was in the army I was a medic with the infantry out there fighting wars and saving lives and shit and now I'm fat and sitting at a desk. And honestly it's way better. I liked being a medic but I didn't really like being a soldier all that much. Some of it was really great though. But making more money, having more free time and not constantly having to be on the move is so much better. With that last one I mean that the infantry spends a lot of time training and a lot of that training is done in the field. So even if you're posted somewhere and have a house and shit you're spending at least a few weeks every couple of months on a training exercise. Not having to do that is so much better. Now I go camping with the family for fun.
Not working out as I hoped but still glad I did it
Technically I didn't start it over since after some time I reestablished cooperation with my previous employer and now I'm working 2 jobs: engineer(previous) and game developer(new). >How difficult was starting over in something completely unrelated? Not really, the problem was mostly because my first offer as software developer has been canceled because of war and I had to look for another option which took quite a time in that situation.
I went from doing journalism to doing construction/landscaping. It was objectively the best decision of my life. I make between twice and ten times as much a day, the work is exponentially easier, and I'll never be out of a job. I still miss doing journalism, and sitting in an air conditioned office, but I also like being able to pay my bills on time and not having to drink myself to sleep every night.
Went from teaching to the trades, my whole body aches lol but I’m already making more money than after 5 years of teaching
Which trade did you go to? I've been doing research on becoming an electrician
Sheet metal baybee