Should I change careers?

**number9** · 03-12-06, 09:54 PM

Dear Dr. Phil,

Day to day I work as a Unix (like DOS but more painful) administrator for a payroll/paycheck processing company. Yes, it's about as boring as it sounds. Trouble is, it pays well, and I can work 30 hours/week and still bring home some good bacon.

My passion, apart from bikes and Mandy Moore, has always been guns and shooting shit up. And, it turns out there's a couple of openings at Bushmaster that I could apply for (quality control and production/assembly). It pays almost exactly half per hour what I'm getting now, but the thing is I might actually enjoy going to work in the morning. Wouldn't that be nice? Yes Dr. Phil, it sure would.

So... what should I do? I don't have any balls of my own, so please, NESR, lend me yours. Thoughts? Yay/nay/gay/schmay? Gracias,

#9

**Awesome** · 03-12-06, 10:02 PM

half what you make now?

**reiobard** · 03-12-06, 10:02 PM

i am currently in the process of looking for a new career as well and it is a good thing, i got rid of my job so i could focus on interviewing and finding something new. I completely recommend finding happiness at your job. Even if you have to work 50 hours and be happy about it then you will probably not mind doing the extra hours to make the "bacon"

**number9** · 03-12-06, 10:05 PM

hessogood: Yeah... a buck an hour short of half. I know... it sucks. I have plenty of cash in the bank though, so I'm not worried about starving.

reiobard: That's what I think; I kinda dread going to work in the morning & spend a good portion of my day just sitting at my desk waiting for something to do. Suffice to say, it blows. I think I would much rather enjoy putting AR15s together and troubleshooting (pardon the pun) them!

**LuvDog** · 03-12-06, 10:28 PM

I've taken pay cuts and quit jobs that I was miserable at.

It's all about quality of life and not just the paycheck on bank account for me.

I took a pay cut for my current job, but I'm much happier now.

**number9** · 03-12-06, 10:32 PM

Originally posted by LuvDog
I've taken pay cuts and quit jobs that I was miserable at.

It's all about quality of life and not just the paycheck on bank account for me.

I took a pay cut for my current job, but I'm much happier now.

Can you go into a little more detail? I wouldn't go so far as to say I am 'miserable' in my current job, but I'm probably not too far from the finish line. The office where I work (maybe 100 people) is so quiet that I can hear it when people take paperclips out of their desks!

The money thing is probably the only concern that I have, and even that's not a huge issue because I am comfortable financially as it is.

**ssg** · 03-13-06, 03:23 AM

I was in a situation a few years ago where I left something high stress (and well paying) to go back to something that was ~60% of the previous salary but was cakework I enjoy doing, and could do blindfolded in my sleep to boot.

Then I realized when you take something you like - and try to convert it into your livelihood - you don't like it anymore, at least I didn't.

Going for half your pay...sounds easy now cause you don't really have to comprehend what it's like when that paycheck lands. You can do the math, think about it, live the plan - but unti it's sitting there and its a 'permanent' decision - it will never have the same gravity for you. I seriously suggest looking at a lateral or semi diagonal alternative to what you do now. There has to be something interesting and resourceful around here for a *nix guy to do.

Good luck tho

**richw** · 03-13-06, 08:40 AM

"If it was fun you would be paying them"

Any job begins to suck very soon. If you leave your chosen profession to do something your peers will find weird then you will have the weird stigma for a decade.

There is the every ten years recession just around the corner within 2 years. Do you want to be the low man seniority wise anywhere for the recession of 2009 or 8

If you have a family or want one then you have an obligation to make the most you can in a reasonable amount of time. It gonna cost 1/2 million when young ones go to school.

Slap yourself and hit the pavement. Find some evening hobby or community service to get your other rocks off. Race on the weekends but get the most $ per hour you can. LIfe is not always up but to volunteer down is just dopey.

**SWEET_Z** · 03-13-06, 08:47 AM

That job would start to suck too after 6 mos or so. Then you'd be in a boring job and making half the dough.

**ultraTwist** · 03-13-06, 09:44 AM

Hi,

I've been lurking and signed up just to respond. In 1992 I changed jobs to do something that was my hobby. I got quite a pay raise to do it too. I spent two years working 50 plus hours a week and many times more doing my hobby. I got very good at my hobby.

Two years later I went back to my profession, and have not spent so much as a single second on my old hobby since.

If you like guns so much, I'd keep them as you hobby and use your job as a means to support the gun and bike hobbies. I don't know how much money you have in the bank, but unless it's millions and millions you be surprised how fast it goes today.

Happiness at you job is over-rated. A 40% pay cut is for the new agers and other cultured people out there, let them have it. Staying current in your field is valuable. Look for a new job in the high tech space if you current place is so bad.

ut

**sanfelice** · 03-13-06, 10:49 AM

Got to respond here, too. If it were me, I would go for the happiness. If you had a family and have to support them, it would be "unwise" to shirk that responsibility just to play around with your hobby all day. But, since you are probably single and have no kids and not alot of obligations, I would go for it. Families make you think differently, so if you decide to down that road, your thought process should change accordingly. Hey, you might even get promoted in the company you move to; you will certainly be much happier.

That said, someone commented on how guns might not be your hobby any longer after they become your "job." That is very true and something to think about. But, aside from your sick and twisted fascination with guns

I would concentrate on bikes - they're a lot more fun and usually only harm the person riding them, unlike guns.

Good luck.

**richw** · 03-13-06, 11:00 AM

I worked at Remington for 3 years

It was a metal working factory.

We had a nice skeet club other then that it could have been radiator caps.

There is like zero association between making of and the using of an item. There would be no romance in the production of guns or even staple guns

If you are bored then start the family you will still be bored but you won't have time to dwell on it. In fact while they are young you will look at the quiet office as your sanctum.

**tonyd** · 03-13-06, 01:32 PM

Simple test, stay were you are, live of 50% off your paycheck for 6months. Don't cheat on this...

If you still think 1/2 the salary is OK after 6 months than go to the new job and enjoy.

Tried the paycut thing in 2001 and I'd rather be unhappy for 30hrs a week with the extra cake to enjoy the time off.

**sanfelice** · 03-13-06, 01:57 PM

Originally posted by richw
I worked at Remington for 3 years

It was a metal working factory.

We had a nice skeet club other then that it could have been radiator caps.

There is like zero association between making of and the using of an item. There would be no romance in the production of guns or even staple guns

this is true, I was commenting more on the original post than on the factory setting.

**odduc** · 03-13-06, 02:16 PM

"they" say that money can't buy happiness. I say "they" are dead wrong. Call me materialistic, shallow or whatever, but I can tell you that not having to worry about where the money is coming from to pay the bills is a good feeling. It is an even better feeling to know that you can enjoy your hobbies because you have enough money and time. So, suck it up while you're at work and deal with the BS and smile when you think about how much fun you'll have during your time off simply because you can !!!!!

**Hardcore** · 03-13-06, 08:59 PM

blaa blaa blaaa !

if your not happy --- say fuck it!! go try something new!!! just try not to burn any bridges--just in case!! tell your current job you're getting burnt out + you're gonna take a leave of absence!

trying something new isn't the end of the world!!!

money wise--if you can afford it, DO IT !!!

so sayeth lord Hardcore !!!!!!!!

**mzdagrl** · 03-13-06, 09:25 PM

Originally posted by tonyd
Simple test, stay were you are, live of 50% off your paycheck for 6months. Don't cheat on this...

If you still think 1/2 the salary is OK after 6 months than go to the new job and enjoy.

That's a great test, and a realistic idea of whether you can really afford to do this, or if you are fooling yourself. Sometimes, we lose track of how much stuff we do (that we do only because we enjoy it) until we no longer have that flow of income. Last year I had a job that paid shit, but I really enjoyed it. Then, I moved an hour away (the equivalent of a pay cut). I didn't realize how much I used all he money I had. There is something to be said for being accustomed to living within your means.

odduc has a point too...without that extra income, can you afford to be into bikes and shooting, and pay for everything associated with both of those hobbies? By getting a job you think you'll like better, you may be setting yourself up for unhappiness in the not to distant future by losing your hobbies.

If you are positive you can do it comfortably, by all means, go for it! There is no time like the present, and especially if you don't have a family to think of.

**number9** · 03-13-06, 10:47 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys... I did read every one of them.

I was kinda hoping that all the replies would be of one opinion or the other, to make the decision a lot easier

Some valid points got raised here, ones that I might not have come up with on my own. I actually just got married (my wife is getting her Masters, so she only works part-time), but we don't have kids... no plans to either, we're still practising

I think ultraTwist has it right, I should maybe concentrate more on my hobbies outside of work than trying to make my work a hobby like richw suggested.

I might try approaching my boss where I work now, I'm a lowly contractor (so no benefits) but they really could be utilizing me a lot more than they are. I'm still looking around for other IT jobs closer to home (my commute is a 70mi round trip at themoment), but I'm not having much success so far.

FWIW I dropped my resume off at Bushmaster this afternoon, I'll see what they say. From the brief description I got from the receptionist it doesn't sound 100% like what I want, but I'll wait to see if I get an interview. I don't want to take a risk on a 40% pay cut if I'm not 100% on the job though...

Why can't life be easy like it is in the movies :p

**Billy** · 03-14-06, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by number9
Dear Dr. Phil,

My passion, apart from bikes and Mandy Moore, has always been guns and shooting shit up.
#9

Funny! I work as a Network Administrator (mainly WinTel shop). When I'm not working or on my bike I shoot as well. I got a 20" Bushmaster AR-15 as well as some other firearms!!!

Thats a tough choice. You might enjoy the job more but you really need to sit down to see if you can afford a decrease if your salary by 50%. If you can afford it, then do it. If it's going to be tight financially I wouldn't do it.

Should I change careers?

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