| Topic Name: |
Going through the almost 30 career crisis! |
| Message Name: |
go for it |
| Date Posted: |
04/23/2002 |
| In Reply To: |
I have been working as a Graphic Designer for about 7 years. I have learned alot from all my jobs but I have come to discover that I don't really enjoy my work and I think about a career change.
My passion is my art (I am a painter) but it is really hard to break into galleries and I am not ready (I would have to crank out more paintings before I approach any galleries and that takes time).
I need a job in the meantime. I am at the point right now that I am too overqualified for some positions and I thought about doing administrative work (I know how to use a computer fairly well and can type over 45 wpm), but since I have all this design experience, most companies for administrative positions won't give me a change because I don't technically have experience doing administrative. I know I can do the job but the past design jobs are getting in the way. Since the economy is so bad I am still looking for design positions as well as administrative.
The big question from most potential employers is "Why don't you want to work in the design industry anymore?" or "Why do you want to make the switch from design to administrative work?" I don't quite know how to answer that, I have trouble believing the answer so would they possibly believe it? |
| Message: |
Melissa, I have been going through a similar transition as what you are facing: about three years ago, I decided to leave my career in academics to seek greater job stability, security, better salary (that is, above poverty level), the ability to live near my family, and the time to actually have a personal life. I was 34-year-old lecturer in German Lit at an Ivy League university when I made this decision. I left everything behind, moved across the country back to my family, and tried my luck on the home turf.
I have been working as an investment banking admin assistant for two years now as a way to make ends meet while I develop my independent consulting practice, and believe me, when I walk around with my resume, most potential employers still don't know what to make of me: "You have a PhD in German Lit??! What are you doing working as an assistant??" Little do these people realize that my salary *doubled* by leaving the Ivory Tower and working as an ass't. It is particularly annoying when potential employers start giving *me* advice on what I should really be doing!! As if 1) they know what they are talking about and 2) it is any of their business!
When I started out, I had no documentable administrative experience, although like you, I was comfortable with a computer, had good typing skills, and lots of other admin skills that one must develop when researching & writing a dissertation and teaching university courses without an assistant. And yes, I didn't get some jobs just because I didn't have the *documentable* experience. As my dad always says, though, you don't need a lot of jobs, you just need one.
Also you don't need to have experience to get an entry-level admin position... I strongly recommend temping for a while, just to get the experience on your resume, as well as to find out what fields are interesting, have compatible people, etc.
This has been a great journey for me! My biz is starting to take shape, I have money in savings, I have been running marathons, and I've fallen in love with the man of my dreams... none of this was possible in my old life because I had no time and no money. Follow your heart, Melissa! You'll find happiness and satisfaction that way! Good luck!
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