Q's for those who have switched careers

[fawnsdad]

Do you dread going into your current job each day? If so, make the move now, not later! Best advice my father ever gave me... "Find a career that makes you want to get up each morning and run to."

The money will come in time, you obviously have a good work ethic. Use the SBA resources as much as possible. They have connections with people that can counsel you on your plans. As to planning your expenses, use the extreme side of things (under estimate income, over estimate expenses), that way you have a better spread and don't get an unpleasant surprise.

[MikeBurbank]

Originally Posted by Kristie

going live countdown?? how do you go about google bombing?

i see what you mean tho...i'm talking more about figuring the numbers out for the business plan vs just putting it up and *seeing* if it hits or not.

Hi Kristie!

As you said, if you dont have a similar model to base your data off your forecasts are going to be scewed. Even if you did have the correct data at some point your still gonna have to throw it up and "see" how well it does anyway.

Your best bet is to embrace that fact and use all your energy developing the best product you can. When your ready to launch spend a little money on google adwords and see how well the site grows organically from that. Use THAT data to see how bright the future is and base your quit dont quit decision on that.

If it does well put your best ninja outfit on and kick your boss in the shoulder blade! If it doesnt.... How can it not?!!!? Your smart and ambitious! (I been lurking for ~5 years - I remember when you used to post "Come on X viewing and only 2 are members Sign up!")

Good luck - I wish you the best!!!

[MikeBurbank]

I just noticed when you first posted this... How about an update?

[bigcat]

Kristie:

I am in the process of changing careers. I feel your pain. I have done drafting, engineering design, and now industrial engineering in a non-engineering related department. I have worked in small family owned businesses to corporate america. Oh....how stressful and painful the "political crap" can be on a daily basis seems to be unfathomable. It's not the job it's the people in my case. Very selfish people with little courage to their work and respect other human beings. I doubt that we can totally eliminate that part or aspect of any job but we can certainly minimize it by finding and following our passion. I think God placed sometype of passion in all of us for something. So hopefully bad days of our future are not as bad as we experience now.

I slowly talked myself into being serious about changing careers several months ago. It started out years ago as a curiosity for planes, then flying for fun, then maybe I should get certificates and ratings so I can get more flight time. Now it is ok, I am still looking at planes overhead, I need somebody else to pay for this, I am tired of dragging my self to the desk were I feel like I am dreadfully hand cuffed to daily, so let's change careers. I would like to get paid for doing something that I am passionate about and enjoy doing.

So like some others have already stated, find your passion! Let it drive you.
Use the change in mangement and listening to people's complaint's including your (our) own to push you more in the direction of what you really want to do.

I exercise after 5pm and then go study 3 days a week. I will try to fly or sim 1 to 3 times a week to keep my skills and build time. Time wise that is tight but doable. Finances can also be an issue at times but the "political crap" is a BIGGER issue. Talk about disadvantage vs. a Bigger disadvantage, that is one.

Live your life. This is America, Land of the free, Home of the brave. May freedom reign in your life and mine...everybody else too!!

Launch that internet business, do it now! Utilize every resource to change your path for a less stressful, more passionate, and joyous path of life.

I hope your sun rises with happiness and sets with laughter and joy.

take care,

Bigcat

[Kristie]

Thanks for the words of wisdom guys!! it really helped me develop my strategy...Aloft, you were pretty much onto my scheme.. i just want to run far far away... but ya'll are right, i need a plan and i need to follow that plan to the T to make this work.

Mike, you asked for an update, so here you go.

I've decided that instead of taking the high road simply because "i want OUT", i'm gonna take "the smart road"...meaning i've decided to get my AICP and become a Certified Planner. it's similar to a professional engineering gig but specialized in the planning field only (somewhere i always did want my career to go but didn't think i could succeed). The AICP designation is going to be used as a backup if i ever need to get back into engineering once i finally get out of it. as we all know, you need a backup career even outside of aviation. since this career is already started, i'm gonna keep it around as *my backup* in which the AICP after my name will help me establish a new job if/when needed.

So, i'm gonna stick with my company until November (when the exam is) and reevaluate after the exam. I'm pretty sure i'll be with them till at least the end of the year or longer cuz it's really not right to have them pay for this major exam and then tell em "see ya".

So, in the meantime, i'm gonna study up for the exam, save all or half of my paychecks to a separate account during the summer months (i think we can afford to do that) and sometimes this summer, make an appt with the SBA to see how they might be able to help me get this thing off the ground. while i'm doing that, i'm gonna get jetgirls rolling to where i'll be comfortable leaving it for some time because after the exam is over, i'm back into getting this new career off the ground.

I figure, after the exam, i'll have backup career set, some extra fundage ready to be used and i'll have already had that first appt with the SBA to see how i can go about making dreams realities...

so, the plan is slowly formulating as i go... as much as i'd like to get out now, i know i can't.

and i just have to bid my time, hit my milestones and remember that with each milestone hit successfully brings me closer to getting the HELL outta this office!!

[sdfcvoh]

Originally Posted by Kristie

So, i'm gonna stick with my company until November (when the exam is) and reevaluate after the exam. I'm pretty sure i'll be with them till at least the end of the year or longer cuz it's really not right to have them pay for this major exam and then tell em "see ya".

Its good to see that ethics still reign supreme from time to time. Never burn those bridges (best advice I ever received in my life)! Keep us up to date on the move... and good luck!

[MikeBurbank]

Talk about a solid plan! Thats great congrats! The plan itself hopefully will put your mind at ease and take some weight off your shoulders.

I wish you luck! Now go study!!!!

[Kristie]

well, it was a solid plan...now, i have to create a new solid plan...

as my employment and actually, my entire office's employment, ended yesterday. yup, a nice abrupt "see ya, we're sorry but don't let the door hit your ass on the way out" they decided to close the office.

I have 3 weeks severance.. most everyone else only got 5 days (as it's apparently based on length of term at the company). our few H1N (?) guys have to find jobs asap in order to stay in the country...i feel more for them than i do for me...

it was like HS all over again... switch information, we'll keep in touch and poof, everyone was gone. BUT...we did all leave with a sense of humor....i mean really, if nobody laffed at my "Congrats on your new promotion...from what I hear, being on permanent holiday is AWESOME" joke...then i have no future in comedy right!?

[Swen]

Sounds like a good reason to go ahead with your idea!

[Kristie]

got that right! tomorrow is day 2... day 1 is now over...time to get a move on!