Midlife Crisis...

[SacrosanctFiend]

So, I've changed career paths twice now. First, it was medical school. Then, I chose human resources (for what reason, I don't know). It can probably be determined at this point, that I don't really have a set career goal. My wife is getting fed up with that, but I'm still young, so I don't see the reason to hurry up and settle in a field.

Anyway, I've received an offer to go work for an HVAC/Plumbing/Electrical design firm as an HVAC designer (I have limited experience in this from my high school days). I was told that they would pay for me to get my engineering degree (about 3 years at 9/credits a semester) during my tenure as a designer, and that they wanted to groom me to become a principal in the company (along with one other engineer) when they retire (they are currently in their early 50s).

I love design work, and the only reason I changed my major from engineering was due to one bad professor (a mistake that I constantly regret). Has anyone ever made a career switch that required them to go back to college? Is this even something I should consider? Obviously, I'm going to make up my mind on my own, but I'm looking for opinions and experience in this matter.

 

[Randum]

I recommend you follow what you like-if ive learned anything, be sure you are happy with that choice you make.

 

[imported_cambit69]

join the army

 

[Legendary]

One of the things I've enjoyed since coming out of college is learning all the different things I could do.

Roll with it, you'll be surprised what you're capable of.

 

[James Bond]

Sounds fun, do it.

 

[nakedfrog]

That's more like a third or quarter life crisis

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: Legendary
One of the things I've enjoyed since coming out of college is learning all the different things I could do.

Roll with it, you'll be surprised what you're capable of.

Yeah. Even with your current job, you can always find ways to challange yourself with doing something else. That's all you have to do IMO, challange yourself.

And I call this a 1/4 life crisis.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
That's more like a third or quarter life crisis

lol, I said the same. Not just for the OP but for myself in real life situations.

 

[Josh123]

Go for it dude, what do you have to lose? I'm currently 23 myself and I don't have a degree. I would like to one day but right now I have a great job that I love and I make a decent salary for my location. It sounds like the offer they proposed is a great opportunity to get a good career going.

 

[Homerboy]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
That's more like a third or quarter life crisis

lol, I said the same. Not just for the OP but for myself in real life situations.

Sadly "quarter life crisis" is some excepted terminology and "ailment" now... everyone has an excuse for everything it seems.

 

[Tiamat]

Do what you love. Sounds like the company is very interested in you. Schooling is no problem. Grades don't really matter (you dont have to fight for the A to keep the scholarship) when company is paying as long as you get B- type average usually. The occasional bad professor wont affect you as much now as they would if you were full time student on your own dime (or scholarship).

 

[shortylickens]

I know how the OP feels. When I was about 24 or so I felt similar.
I felt that the Navy had wasted some of the best years of my life and I had nothing to show for it.
Am 28 now and free of them, and I still have a load of cash for college, so I'll probably get another mid-life crisis eventually.
FUN!

 

[moshquerade]

46 is hella young to die.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
46 is hella young to die.

It was a figure of speech.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: moshquerade
46 is hella young to die.

It was a figure of speech.

well... ok.... we'll call it a fig newton of your imagination then.

 

[Chryso]

Do it. You are definitely young enough to make it work.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: moshquerade
46 is hella young to die.

It was a figure of speech.

well... ok.... we'll call it a fig newton of your imagination then.

Haven't heard that one before.

 

[simms]

23 with a wife? Sounds like you're further ahead...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Midlife Crisis...

You don't know the meaning of the word my naive young friend.

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: simms
23 with a wife? Sounds like you're further ahead...

I'd say he's behind. Don't get the whole marrying in the early 20's without a career thing.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Midlife Crisis...

You don't know the meaning of the word my naive young friend.

Indeed I do not, as I am not middle aged. But, let's not focus on the figure of speech, and more on the actual issue.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: simms
23 with a wife? Sounds like you're further ahead...

I'd say he's behind. Don't get the whole marrying in the early 20's without a career thing.

Wife has a career, and I have/had one.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Midlife Crisis...

You don't know the meaning of the word my naive young friend.

Indeed I do not, as I am not middle aged. But, let's not focus on the figure of speech, and more on the actual issue.

Oh, I assure you that midlife crisis is more than just a figure of speech.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

I graduated college at 21 and then just did nothing for a year and a half.

What I realizing sitting there was that your career shouldn't be a personal decision.....it should be a practical one. Do what you're good at and what comes easy, not what you like doing. Nothing healthier than walking out the door at work and completely not caring about it until you walk back in the door the next day. And there's no better way to kill a passion than to try to make it profitable.

And you will take skills you acquire from seemingly unrelated jobs and bring them with you to make you better at whatever your next role is. So, in that regard, switching careers is probably a really great way to acquire different skill sets and knowledge.

Far more important than WHAT you're doing is WHERE you're doing it. You want to be at a work culture that complements you. You'll be happier and more productive.

 

[randay]

i plan on having my midlife crisis when im 67-ish.