Q's for those who have switched careers

After serving nearly 9 years as a police officer and 5 years as an EMT, I decided it was time for me to again pursue my dream of aviation. I began looking at flight schools and started taking part-time flight lessons locally. I
knew I had to continue my education due to the fact I was not getting any younger. The airline industry has a mandatory retirement age of 60. So I began to research several options and decided to enroll at Ohio State University and obtain my degree in Aviation Management.

I resigned from my position as a part-time police officer and am continuing to work full-time on the weekends as an EMT as I am enrolled as a full-time college student. I also am taking flight training on the side part-time.



Financially it has been a burden, but my wife stepped up to the plate and got another part-time job to help make ends meet. If it wasn't for her I don't think I could have started down the path of full filling my dreams. I am not anywhere close to where I want to be, but I am closer then I have ever been.
 
I am not anywhere close to where I want to be, but I am closer then I have ever been.
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see, stuff like that really does inspire me.. everytime i'm able to get one thing done... i remind myself that i am one step closer... :)

Thanks!
 
Kristie,

I think everyone who switches careers has to have some serious motivations. I've been selling insurance now for almost 13yrs. Before that, army (4yrs), before that pro bicycle racing(4yrs). I got into insurance b/c it was a family business and the $ was attractive. But a desk jockey I am not. (The money is amazing.) But I absolutely DREAD waking up in the morning for work. I recently was married (well - 3 years ago) and I see my work wearing on our relationship b/c I am a constant salty dog. After many, many, conversations about how to get away, I finally had the epiphany that flying, something i've dabbled in for most of my life, was my true calling. So...there was the reason. And my wife is so supportive its mind blowing.

How I'm doing it? Well - lets say I'm going in face first. My wife and I are moving to Tucson so I can train full time, then CFI for another year or so for the hours. We've both left our jobs, and we're going to hold onto a few apartments we own to try to supplement income for a while without having to dive into our retirement savings. She'll take a job teaching in Tucson. I'm still taking a loan to cover training, and I understand that the first many years doing the regional thing will be a painfully small income. I just personally do not care. If we need to dine on ramen, then hey - thats all part of the adventure.

If you are in a job that you don't enjoy. If you feel like your work is sucking the life out of you. If you haven't been able to get flying off your mind since you were 8 years old. Drop everything and find a way to get in the air full time.

On the other hand, if you can keep your current job with out losing your mind, while flying on the side for sanity - then do that. There will never be any sure fire instruction book for a huge career change like that of going into aviation - since I really think it comes from the heart of each individual. A year from now I might post that it all crashed n' burned for me. (i hope not!) But all in all I believe that it comes from the heart.

Life is so incredibly short, don't waste it. Follow your heart. You'll be happier for it when you are having your final thoughts in this world.:rolleyes:
 
KK: the difference I'm sensing between you and the career changers here is PASSION. It's one thing to pursue a passion like many of us are doing here, but you seem only to be running from an unsatisfying job (aren't they all?). You'll track straighter running to something than from something else. [insert NDB homing joke here.]

That doesn't mean you can't pursue employment elsewhere until you figure out what your burning passion is. Look into marketing your services as a consultant. Teach CAD at the local community college. Write a book.

Just my $0.02.
 
Granted, I haven't changed careers YET (15 years in the Air Force) I have many friends who have. Maybe they left the service early, retired, whatever. I would say that a good 90% of them are glad they did it. Money won't make you happy, sure it can help you out in deciding HOW you are going to suffer, but I have met few people who made 100K+ that REALLY loved what they were doing (except for some of the mainline guys and gals out there...). From a practical point of view, I think that you have done an amazing job "hanging in there" for Doug, so now it's his turn. If you have someone who will support you (mentally more that money), you'd be amazed how much easier the transition will be. Well as for the networking, I think you probably have many more connections than you realize...just start jotting down names and you'll be amazed how fast the list grows! :nana2:
 
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.
 
Kristie said:
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.
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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!!!
 
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
 
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!! :)
 
Kristie said:
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".
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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!
 
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!!!!
 
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!? :)
 
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