Career change

dcarlson

I may have an opportunity for a major career change. I'm currently a Database Administrator/Programmer for a relatively small cross Canada company of 20 offices and 200 people.

Over the weekend I was asked if I was interested or knew anyone interested in a job maintaining electricity service. It could be a great opportunity in that it's a very large company with full pension, benefits, yada yada yada. There's potential for career growth. I don't have the full specifics because I blew it off when I was asked but it stuck in my head and I'm now contemplating the change.

Have any of you had a major career change? How did you decide?

I-SIG

I'm thinking seriously of swapping careers. From power engineering to Secret Service!

Wes

dcarlson

Secret Service? Sounds cool.

My current job is good. Pay is reasonable (I could always live with more), decent health benefits, flexible hours, I answer to almost nobody, my co-workers are great and I hold quite a bit of prestige within the company. My major concern is the lack of a pension and continued career growth. I think I've topped out here. I'd like to find a job with a nice pension and this opportunity could easily provide that.

johnny_utah

Originally posted by dcarlson
Secret Service? Sounds cool.

My current job is good. Pay is reasonable (I could always live with more), decent health benefits, flexible hours, I answer to almost nobody, my co-workers are great and I hold quite a bit of prestige within the company. My major concern is the lack of a pension and continued career growth. I think I've topped out here. I'd like to find a job with a nice pension and this opportunity could easily provide that.

IMO, the field you are in is one that takes experience to grow. If you where wanting more money/better benefits, I would take what you have learned and apply it to your field, or related, like software development. Additionally, I thought I had topped out where I am, but when I went on a job interview and was called in the next day to talk with the boss, I found out that was not true at all. my 2¢.

Willow

I have thought about it and still think about it !!

But then I think which company will match my stock purchases and RRSP contribution and pension invesments. I want a change but then I tough it out then something usualy happens either a promotion position change. Is it cause we get to comfortable where we are ?

to me the furute is more important than the present...for example
offering better pension plan stock options and so forth... I'd rather those than an amazing salary..

Danny Tse

I am in need of a major career change....:rolleyes:

I work for the State government as an analyst and, I'm sorry to say, I am bored to death here. My job is stable, has good benefits, and pays reasonably good. However, I want to do more, much more, than being a government bean-counter or paper-pusher. My friend, who used to work for the US Census Bureau, warned me about working for the government, where the job will basically suck the life out of you. Now I know....

Jobs, like sound quality of a stereo system, is very subjective. I am one of those people who isn't after a certain title or some huge amount of $$$ (although I would like some). Maybe I am just not professionally-driven or just plain lazy. I figured if I can make a comfortable living and do something I am interested in, something with professional growth opportunities, then I am set.

After all, we probably spend more time at our jobs than with our families and friends. :rolleyes:

dcarlson

Some good responses.

I'm not after a job title or huge bucks either.

Basically, I want a job I can retire on with a comfortable pension. My current situation has me putting money in RRSP's on my own behalf with no company matching which, I think come retirement time may not be enough and takes away from my current salary as well. I was much more stimulated when I started here and right through the first 3 years or so when I was learning so much. Now, I've completed most of the major projects I was hired to do and have the company running on software I've built with not a whole lot more to add, only support. Plus, there's been a salary freeze for the past year because of government imposed rate cuts that saw our profits drop considerably.

I've been telling myself I'd look for a job with a pension in a year or so, then this pops up and I'm now seriously considering the change. I'm going to see what the job actually entitles and go from there.

I'll be 29 in a couple of months so I'm still young enough to get some years in for a decent if not full pension.

Willow

D . Im 29 so we are in the same boat.. As I mentioned the fact that the benfits are great (they should be I work for the biggest insurance company in our country) and Im set with the stocks and Rrsp's and pension, that's the only thing keeping me here , I want to be sure later we have a good nest !!

TroyD

I dunno about a new job....I think I just need a new travel agent.

BDT

Danny Tse

You may want to keep your eyes out for openings to one of the 10 most overpaid jobs in the US.

HBombToo

the local mickie d's is looking more attractive to me everyday! or I send the wife back into the workforce and become the town drunk...:D ahhhhhhhhhh