I am looking for a "career change" buddy.

[crispini]

I need to get out of my line of work, and I have an idea about where I want to go. The thing is, there's a TON of stuff that needs to get done between here and there. I need to do some volunteer work in my target line of work. I need to network. I need to redo my resume. I need to do blah blah blah blah blah. And the thought of all of this overwhelms me, and I am looking for someone who is also in this boat who would like to give and get support. I had a lot of luck with this kind of thing with Weight Watchers. I'm looking for someone to check in with at least once a week, maybe by email or phone, to sort of help keep me accountable for all the things I am trying to do -- and I will do the same for you! :)

Like the idea? PM or post here if interested!

[HRC_in_08]

1. what line are you looking to get into? eom.

[crispini]

2. Well, I do one type of user-interface design...

and I'd like to get into a slightly different type of user-interface design. I may or may not be able to do this without going back to school, but I have two friends who have made this move without doing that, so I'm hopeful. It's just a matter of building up my portfolio with the new subject matter, and that's going to take some work. :)

[HRC_in_08]

3. sounds interesting. I am looking for a change as well...

but would like to take a totally new direction.

[crispini]

4. So what do you do and what do you want to do?

Sometimes I think about taking off in a totally new direction, but I think about all the choices that are out there, and I just get tired. I also think about what it would take in terms of money and time to retrain, and I think, "Boy, I'd better be darn sure I like the new direction I choose to get into that kind of debt at my age!" :)

[HRC_in_08]

5. I was a project engineer...

in the high tech connector/cable assembly industry. As for what I would like to do...no idea yet. I would like to avoid going to school again though.

[crispini]

7. Isn't that the hardest part, what you would LIKE to do?

I sit down and think about all of the choices that are out there and all of the things that are available and just get lost in choice!

How about your hobbies, talents, volunteer work -- is any of that giving you a nudge in the right direction?

[HRC_in_08]

8. It is the hardest part. I have been an engineer since leaving college...

and have very little experience with anything else. The main factor in going with the ME degree was job availability and pay. At this point I really don't know what I will do. I am looking at possibly something to do with the internet, which narrows things down to a couple of thousand choices.

[crispini]

9. Well, what floats your boat?

Do you have hobbies that interest you that you could combine for your new career somehow? I have started to look through "Zen and the Art of Making a Living," which seems like a good book for those of us kind of at sea about our jobs.

[Coyote_Bandit]

6. .

I am currently in the process of reinventing myself. Learning new skills in anticipation of relocating to another state and starting my own business in a field in which I am interested but have no experience. I am currently doing some business consulting work wih a similar business - and trying to develop my technical skills. I have long since determined that the only folks who understand and can offer support during such transitions either are or have already experienced something similar. PM me if you want.

[Deja Q]

10. I'm doing the same as well.

Kick

[unsavedtrash]

11. Do you have a linkedin account?

A friend has met a lot of folks in his field through this network. I just got an account so I don't really have much personal experience.
If you are interested http://www.linkedin.com
Good luck with the change.

[crispini]

13. Yes, I do. It's great for networking isn't it?

I will PM you my email addy so you can add me! :)

[Wapsie B]

12. Sounds like there are a number of us in the same boat.

I'm in the process of figuring out where to go from here. I've seen a professional career counselor twice and have an idea of areas to explore. Now my next assignment is to brainstorm and make a list of jobs that interest me. I have a strong desire to do something much more creative in nature. In college I felt at home in music school, art and writing. If anyone wants to bounce ideas off each other please PM me. Sometimes it's best to have an outside point of view. We're too close to the forest to see the trees as it were. My Holland Code is ACE btw. :)

[crispini]

14. Wow, may I ask how you found a professional career counselor?

That is something I would like to do but am hesitant to do for some reason.

What's a Holland Code?

I am making a list of everyone in this thread so I will have people to PM and chat with! :)

[Wapsie B]

15. I did a search for counselors certified in career counseling.

I've gotta do a few things but will be back online later. And have some links for you. A Holland Code is from one of the godfathers of career exploration, John Holland. If you read What Color is Your Parachute, that book delves into the Holland Codes a bit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holland_Codes

[Coyote_Bandit]

16. My Holland Code

is ARE/ARS. My education and work experience is traditional and conventional. I too have been contemplating doing something more creative. Best of luck to you. Personally, I wish I had gotten some good career counseling many many years ago.

[Wapsie B]

17. Thank you!

Best of luck to you. Life is too short to not be where you need to be.