Making a drastic job switch

[Chiang]

having money to back a switch , got chance to survive,
having a good profession to back a switch , also got chance to survivie.

having neither money nor good profession to back a switch, got guts siah.

to go where the brave dare not go,
to think the unthinkable.
to live a life thats bearable.

i also 1 2 do a swtich , but i cannot afford to drag my load down the path where i can't even see where my next move will land myself in.

to suffer alone is okay , to think that others will suffer with me, i sighhhhh......................

 

[sinwen]

I was a regular officer in the RSAF.

Studied for a degree in Accountancy. Became an accountant in an MNC.

Left after 6 years to become a teacher and take home half my previous pay.

Leaving teaching again to become Finance Manager again after 6 years.

But all these while I am a full time husband and father to 2 kids.

Priorities and motivation change as we progress in life. But my dedication to home and work do not. I try to enhance my value to my family, myself and the organisation wherever I am.

Photography is a great way to balance work life too.

Nothing is drastic. It is only work. My good friend has his own successful dental practice. He also become a pastor in his church. An avid cyclist, he then suffered a stroke before 40.
Now that is drastic! He cannot do his intricate work as a dentist with his hands any more. His spirit was drastically dampened. But he is coming back and taking all in his stride.

 

[yanyewkay]

it is never too late for change

change in inevitable

i have worked in:

McD
Italian Ice Cream shop
Construction site
Junk mail
Despatch rider
Metal workshop
helmet custom painting
7-11
waiter
photographer's assistant
photographer
graphic designer
art director
studio manager

entire resume throw out liao lor.. towkay hiring.. ask him if you need job change.. :bsmilie:

 

[David]

Hi David,

no problem, been in your situation approximately 2 yrs ago. Toyed with the idea of changing from medical to pharmaceuticals for a while Decided not to as Prismatic has so aptly put it, I'll be "competing with others who are more specialised in the field". Work experience counts, and every year makes a difference. For the guys out there, just look at the 2 year advantage (SAF service) of our female collegues in terms of job experience, earning potential and promotions.

All of us probably know a few people who have made the switch successfully. However, please keep in mind those who failed.

A couple of my ex-collegues did it:

Case 1: Medical to commercial pilot. Rich family. Young when he decided to switch. Medical background to fall back on.

Case 2: Medical to stock-broker. Very rich family. Again, young when he made that decision. Again, medical iron-rice-bowl vocation to fall back on.

I guess there's no harm trying something that you've always wanted to do in life. Nonetheless, it would be prudent to have enough savings to live off for a while, as well as an exit strategy should things go awry.

All the best :thumbsup:


Bernard

Hi Bernard,

Your egs set me thinking.. My colleague and I discussed this issue some time back. It seems the rich tend to have their way easily. At my workplace, think most of the young MOs are born with sliver spoons in their mouths. One I heard used to drive a BMW Z4, now a Lexus. And he's barely past his mid-20s. Another one is seen often driving several exotic cars, also only in mid 20's. Another mid 30, now a specialist, wears a Rolex, drives a Volvo, etc etc. I can go on and on. But problem with some of these people is that sadly, their empathizing skills can be low.

And I think not long ago, I read from the papers in RJC, only 4 students in the whole class live in HDB! The rest all reside in private properties. My colleague and I conclude that it is likely being rich means parents can throw all sorts of benefits to their children.. tuition, lots of classes, Super-Teen camps, brand new expensive textbooks... Of cos I'm not saying being poor means you can't be academically bright or that rich = smart, but $ really is an impt factor in nurturing the intellectual.

Wow, digressed quite a bit...

I guess age is impt but if the determination to switch is there, we have to start from somewhere. My thinking now is that if I don't try I will regret when I'm much older and when it's really too late to change. Read somewhere that when u are too comfortable in where you are, it's dangerous cos you are not growing. I'm in this position now!

I just want to make sure that the move is right. But as they say, you wont know until you take the jump! Ironically the most successful people in this world didn't take the safe routes in life. Or rather they start with little. Unfortunately, being comfortable also means all the more we don't want to leave the comfort zone!

 

[David]

I was a regular officer in the RSAF.

Studied for a degree in Accountancy. Became an accountant in an MNC.

Left after 6 years to become a teacher and take home half my previous pay.

Leaving teaching again to become Finance Manager again after 6 years.

But all these while I am a full time husband and father to 2 kids.

Priorities and motivation change as we progress in life. But my dedication to home and work do not. I try to enhance my value to my family, myself and the organisation wherever I am.

Photography is a great way to balance work life too.

Nothing is drastic. It is only work. My good friend has his own successful dental practice. He also become a pastor in his church. An avid cyclist, he then suffered a stroke before 40.
Now that is drastic! He cannot do his intricate work as a dentist with his hands any more. His spirit was drastically dampened. But he is coming back and taking all in his stride.

Thanks for sharing sinwen. That's quite a switch for you but I like youre +ve attitude. And it's heart-wrenching to hear of your friend's situation. But it certainly puts a proper perspective to life.

 

[sORe-EyEz]

some actions require a leap of faith (dun get mixed up w/ religion ya? its not d same thing).

 

[Sion]

it is never too late for change

change in inevitable

i have worked in:

McD
Italian Ice Cream shop
Construction site
Junk mail
Despatch rider
Metal workshop
helmet custom painting
7-11
waiter
photographer's assistant
photographer
graphic designer
art director
studio manager

Do you like to be a member of parliament? We can help put your name forward.

 

[raincool2005]

Do you like to be a member of parliament? We can help put your name forward.

do a NCMP collect a salary ? :think:

 

[bernardy4416]

Hi Bernard,

Ironically the most successful people in this world didn't take the safe routes in life. Or rather they start with little. Unfortunately, being comfortable also means all the more we don't want to leave the comfort zone!

Hi David,

it's called survivor bias in statistics

Only the successful ones make it to press. Everyone loves a winner, and that makes good fodder for books/magazines. Tell me about the ones who didn't make it.....

I'm not saying that one should not take a route off the beaten track. One just has to be prepared..... If somebody is interested in blazing a trail through the jungle, he should bring the necessary equipment (ie: compass, machette, food, GPS, etc...), but you get my point :bsmilie:



Bernard

 

[alwayschampion]

Hi Bernard,

Your egs set me thinking.. My colleague and I discussed this issue some time back. It seems the rich tend to have their way easily. At my workplace, think most of the young MOs are born with sliver spoons in their mouths. One I heard used to drive a BMW Z4, now a Lexus. And he's barely past his mid-20s. Another one is seen often driving several exotic cars, also only in mid 20's. Another mid 30, now a specialist, wears a Rolex, drives a Volvo, etc etc. I can go on and on. But problem with some of these people is that sadly, their empathizing skills can be low.

And I think not long ago, I read from the papers in RJC, only 4 students in the whole class live in HDB! The rest all reside in private properties. My colleague and I conclude that it is likely being rich means parents can throw all sorts of benefits to their children.. tuition, lots of classes, Super-Teen camps, brand new expensive textbooks... Of cos I'm not saying being poor means you can't be academically bright or that rich = smart, but $ really is an impt factor in nurturing the intellectual.

Wow, digressed quite a bit...

I guess age is impt but if the determination to switch is there, we have to start from somewhere. My thinking now is that if I don't try I will regret when I'm much older and when it's really too late to change. Read somewhere that when u are too comfortable in where you are, it's dangerous cos you are not growing. I'm in this position now!

I just want to make sure that the move is right. But as they say, you wont know until you take the jump! Ironically the most successful people in this world didn't take the safe routes in life. Or rather they start with little. Unfortunately, being comfortable also means all the more we don't want to leave the comfort zone!

Not really. I have a friend who work around the clock, ever since his second job, his working hours per day is 16 hours. Now he is barely 28++ years old. He drives a BMW 7 series.

 

[bernardy4416]

Not really. I have a friend who work around the clock, ever since his second job, his working hours per day is 16 hours. Now he is barely 28++ years old. He drives a BMW 7 series.

Hmmm, or is he forced to work 16hrs per day in order to maintain the car? :dunno:

Anyways, been there, done that. Guess he's at the point of his life when making money is paramount. Everything is secondary, including quality of life....:cry: Well, to each his own...


Bernard

 

[Deceased]

From a semicon engineer asst to a graphic designer.

Tough decision,
Discouraged by peers and family,
but
eventually you lived only once.

Do it purely because of passion.