Education & Work I'm over my career; looking for some outside perspective.

I'm 27 and I'm over my career (5 or so years in). I'm bored and unmotivated by the type of work I do (white collar cubicle job). I'm considering going back to uni for what would potentially be another 4 years of full time on-campus study to establish what I think would be a better suited career.

However I have $400k of PPOR debt. And the prospect of four whole years of practically going backwards financially feels awful (never mind the extra HECS debt). The other alternative I considered was doing a bunch of tickets and working a labour job somewhere for a quick transition into something different.

To anyone that has faced a similar hurdle in their lifetime, how do you approach such a large decision? Can anyone provide some perspective because right now all I see is four years of poverty/part-time work/exams/no fun vs. current job which is unfulfilling but steady income and capacity to enjoy myself once in a while.

 

Yes. Extremely similar. I'm 33, similar amount of PPOR debt (lots more IP debt) and had to follow my dreams.

 

@rizzle

what's your hobby/passion?

if you follow down that path, and make you career in that field, it will be lot easier and wouldn't feel like a job/work!

 

I'm the same, been struggling with it for some time.

For me I need to have a creative outlet with no one above me telling me how to do things, may seem strange but I guess that's just the sort of person I am.

I think it's also important to do something you love, for me, most of these things require a lot of money for me to do them full time- which is why I am investing heavily in property- I also want to be great at these things I do which I love- which causes me to work harder and take more risks

As Charles Bukowski said once " find what you love and let it kill you" he was probably referring to alcohol but to me it is extreme sports and the like

 

Is it the type of work you do or your work place that is the issue?

 

That's what they all say haha - not sure of my chances of getting a gig as an F1 driver though or getting paid to ski Property investing does interest me - I look forward to the day I have enough money to start making money from property.

The degree in question would at least be putting me on a pathway to a career that is probably much better suited to my personality. I've never known what I want to do for a career, so the next best option is choose something you think is a good match and have crack at it.

 

Can you step into your preferred career without uni? Are you sure you'll like the other career longer term? I ask because I left a career after 2.5 years to study for 2.5 years for something else which lasted....you guessed it.... 2.5 years. Then side stepped into something else which has evolved into a career path & I did a masters on the way. I think you would need to be very certain you were making the right career move before committing.

 

Both I think. Call it a 40%/60% split.

 

Fair point. I will look into the various pathway options into this field. What's the alternative if you're not sure though?

 

Can you do part time uni while looking for a career into your preferred industry?
Just because you don't have experience on the particular field doesn't mean you should start from scratch - there are transferable skill that only people who have been in the workforce have

 

I think this happens to everyone after about 4-6 years after Uni. Job life isn't what it cracked up to be, disenchanted with the industry your in etc... Its not uncommon.
My Mrs is a health care professional with a Master's Degree and she was feeling the same just before we met. the Uni sold the career as one thing but reality was another.
If we do not like our job or career sometimes we see this as a reflection of self. Most people do.
But over a period of about a year and getting her to read a few books I have, we talked about a lot of issues and I was able to show her that your job should not define you.
It like a business, is a form of cash flow to fund whatever investments you choose to free yourself from the need to work the 9-5.

Once I developed that mindset a few years ago myself I have been a lot happier at work and also has kept me focused on my investments.
Mindset is everything.

 

Before you jump the ship you really have to figure out if it is the company that you do not like or the job itself.

I recommend that you make two lists, one listing all aspects of your current job that you like and the other one with dislikes. List everything even the trivial details e.g. Coffee in the office.

Eventually you will find the answer and also it helps you to find the 'dream' profession.

 

Can you do some work experience? or use your network to talk to someone in the field about the reality / good / bag / ugly of your proposed career? My other advice would be to consider any life style implications. Curious about what you're looking at.

 

Been there. Studied at uni chasing coin, Ended up hating my career. Decided I needed to change so spent some time in the industry I believed I wanted to be in in a basic position before comitting to study again. Best move I ever made. Even if financially I'm worse off my life is better.

 

If it is 60% the workplace.. Perhaps try another work place first, before committing to a four year course?

 

First up try a different field within your current work/degree.
One thing mentioned in rich dad poor dad is to the importance of working in sales. Even if it isn't your cup of tea.

The thought of going through uni makes me sick,i recently started the process and for educated people and an "education facility"they are really not very smart. in short I'm done with that idea I'll keep focusing on property and self education. "formal education will make you a living, self education will make you a fortune"

And your only young and 5 years experience is just one step from newbie imo our now a "qualified tradesman"

...but after all that if you have a passion elsewhere go for it! Do it while your young

 

Do this.


Sorry, didn't credit this. It's from 'Modern Toss' via Facebook. They are hilarious IMO.

 

Follow your passion what ever that is. It may not be extraordinary or something new but just be extraordinary at what ever you do and take massive amounts of action to get results and be noticed. Don't compete in your field....Dominate!!

 

Op- identify your transferable skills and try to work your way into that function within the company . Networking is also very important - opportunities come to those who know people. Quality of work is only half the story. Identify interest groups in the industry you want to get into and ask them how your transferable skills can best be used/how you think it could be used...expressing interest + valuing others opinions + identifying how and why you would be a good fit = doors opening. Inside or outside your company.