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new job field?

gallandof

gallandof

Android Expert
I'm interested in looking for a new job since the one im working is starting to grow old and tired (long story behind it all). but one of my main concerns is finding a job/carrer field where i wont take too much of a hit in pay. I know this isnt the best place but im going into this blind so most advice here will be more than welcome.

Basically im trying to find a job field with a minimum salary of around 50k (i make around 70k now) the issue is, i'm only 21 and my only official degrees and stuff i can put on a resume are High school diploma, and vocational diploma for IT, and A+ certified.

is this gonna be a lost search and I should just tough it out and deal with it? the pay at my current job seems too be hindering my search for another job
 
I think as of right now I would stay at your job. With the way the job market is you never know if you will get let go not soon after getting hired. If you have some seniority I would stay at the job for now. 70K? I will take your job please lol.
 
It's easy when you're younger to get burnt out and try to look for something better, or even just something else no matter what it is. The bottom line is that unless you find something that you really truly enjoy, your next job is going to be the same exact thing all over again. You'll be there for a while, make some money and then get burnt out and tired of it just the same. The key is to find something that you love and do that. That way you will not get tired of it and it will hardly seem like work. Trust me.
 
If you are willing to take the chance. Then i say go for it. Remember one thing though. The grass isnt always greener on the other side.
 
If I recall correctly, you were a salesman, right? Phones?

I don't know much about the job market in the US, but 70K is good. You should think twice about it.

Even if you find a job you enjoy, the people there might not be your best friends either. I'd just hope for some change in the staff. ;)
 
Does your company offer educational assistance or reimbursement? The IT field is a very competitive field. If you want to stay in that field and advance, I would suggest getting a bachelor's degree. Sad, but many big corps want that piece of paper even if your skills surpass expectations. If your company does offer help with college, I would take advantage of it and hold out until you have that degree. Your salary expectations then would be justified in the eyes of HR reps. Then your opportunities will grow.

I recently left my last job of 10 years for a new opportunity. The new opportunity was in a completely different industry. My last job just didn't have any benefits and long-term was a dead-end job. I took a big cut in pay leaving, but my current benefits are excellent and I am taking advantage of the college reimbursement.

Ultimately, it is your future and path. Only you know what is right for you. I wish you good luck.
 
I'll be honest, with those credentials, $70k salary is pretty phenomenal IMO. I know doctors that start out with that.

It never hurts to look (secretly), but I will be blunt. Decide what matters more, the $$ or your happiness.
 
lordofthereef said:
I'll be honest, with those credentials, $70k salary is pretty phenomenal IMO. I know doctors that start out with that.

It never hurts to look (secretly), but I will be blunt. Decide what matters more, the $$ or your happiness.
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And at 21, it's almost unreal.

While searching for a replacement for my g/f's DInc, I found myself in the Verizon store quite a bit. I quickly realized how little the majority of their reps and techs knowledge of these devices were. After proving I had at least more general cell phone knowledge than a tech, the sales rep lightheartedly suggested I should work for them. I basically said I didn't want to take a step down in pay. It was then he asked what I thought they made. I figured about $25,000. He just shook his head as I went up in increments a few times before telling me each rep there makes about $60,000. He even pointed out their top sales rep who makes about $80-90,000 a year. My jaw about hit the ground with the thought of doubling or even tripling my yearly salary. A couple days later I was on the phone with a tech making smalltalk as we were trying to address a prob with the same DInc. He stated that the top reps in large markets could bring in six figures easily. My interest was officially piqued.

I've decided to try this out for myself, being as I already spend most of my free time on these forums or tinkering with my phone (it's truly an obsessive hobby I'm sure most of you would relate to). But seeing as I don't have the job history to support the change (as I haven't been able to snag an interview), I decided to move to commissioned sales to get my foot in the door, even snagging a part time gig at Costco slinging phones. Figured after a year or so of this, I'd be in good position. Thing is, even though I've only been doing this about a week or so, I really love the environment and the people I work with. Money isn't Verizon-like, but I know I'm not a corporate type and the laid back style of Costco is more my speed.

Ok, enough story time and back on track. Basically, I've entered a job field I have almost no experience in, and have def been apprehensive about it. But I know I'll have the opportunity to make money I wouldn't otherwise have a chance at, or at the very least work with people I enjoy in a field I already know I love. Only you know what's right for you, but doing something you love leads to aging gracefully, I truly believe.
 
Why not perhaps try out the real estate field? Depending on your location, it could be a good business. The broker that I worked with in Manhattan made about $240,000 last year. I'm not exactly sure what the requirements are for Massachusetts, but I know that in NY, one needs 75 hours of real estate salesperson education and pass 2 exams and you're ready to start. Keep in mind though that you are not going to be making even in the ballpark range of that amount as you'll start out as a salesperson (aka agent) and work under a broker for a few years.

The most important thing is that you find a job that you love and to work with people that you like. If you were a real estate agent and you had that kind of situation, all you would have to do is find another broker to sponsor you (that could be within the same company at a different office or at a whole other brokerage) and make the transfer. Once both brokers agree (obviously your current one isn't going to force you to stay), then it's a simple switch.
 
Vihzel said:
Why not perhaps try out the real estate field? Depending on your location, it could be a good business. The broker that I worked with in Manhattan made about $240,000 last year. I'm not exactly sure what the requirements are for Massachusetts, but I know that in NY, one needs 75 hours of real estate salesperson education and pass 2 exams and you're ready to start. Keep in mind though that you are not going to be making even in the ballpark range of that amount as you'll start out as a salesperson (aka agent) and work under a broker for a few years.

The most important thing is that you find a job that you love and to work with people that you like. If you were a real estate agent and you had that kind of situation, all you would have to do is find another broker to sponsor you (that could be within the same company at a different office or at a whole other brokerage) and make the transfer. Once both brokers agree (obviously your current one isn't going to force you to stay), then it's a simple switch.
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I was actually thinking about real estate but wasnt quote sure where to begin with it. i'll definately take a look into the 2 exams you brought up.

its odd I love working sales because I fully believe in customer service first and love helping people and making sure they are actually happy.
 
A lot depends on the market. For instance there is a big tech market in Reston VA, and sillicon valley and various other cities. In NY there is a big Advertising market. Some fashion, Finance, etc. Detroit is/was cars, Hartford Connecticut = insurance....and so on and so fourth.

I think you'll find certain cities specialize in certain industries.

Something to keep in mind.

Also, if you dislike the place you work, you might as well hop to a different company if you can while you contemplate and prepare for the career change.
 
gallandof said:
I was actually thinking about real estate but wasnt quote sure where to begin with it. i'll definately take a look into the 2 exams you brought up.
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I'm almost finished with my real estate classes online for NY. I'm sure there has to be one available for MA or take classes in person if you don't want to or like taking classes online. If you take classes online, you can do them while still working at your current job. Great thing about taking them online is that you can easily take them at your own pace and you don't have to do each module all at once; stop halfway if you need to and return when you are able to. I'm finishing the classes before I actually move so all I have to do is take the exams and immediately find a broker.

The typical process to obtain a license is:

1. Take the required real estate salesperson course.
2. Take the school's exam, which is proof that you fully completed the course and passed with a 60% or more (at least for my school)
3. Take the state salesperson exam and pass with a 70% (for NY)
4. Find a broker to sponsor you
5. File for a salesperson license with that sponsoring/employing broker (you can not apply for a license without a sponsoring broker)
6. Practice real estate and do NOT forget your fiduciary duties to your client (you'll learn all about them; it's a critical component)

The actual classes themselves aren't hard to understand. There's just so much information to learn, especially regarding contracts, laws, finance, taxes, and all areas of real estate (residential, commercial, investment, management). It just takes a good amount of reviewing and testing yourself.

You can find MA real estate exam prep guides online at Amazon. I found a good one for NY and plan to review it before I take mine.

gallandof said:
its odd I love working sales because I fully believe in customer service first and love helping people and making sure they are actually happy.
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I think you'd do really well in the real estate since you love working sales and put customer service first. The real estate field is easy to get into but it's through hard work that one survives. If you're personable, resourceful, intuitive, and determined... you will succeed. :) (my dad is proof of that and he only has an elementary education since South Korea was in a bad shape in the 70s and he was dirt poor; he taught himself a LOT when he came to the US)

What I love about the real estate field is that it's never boring. There's always something happening or something to do. You meet so many people from all walks of life and help them find their ideal home, which is surely one of the the biggest investments in their lives, if not the biggest. Real estate is one of the few large fields where you can easily see the fruits of your labor through commission. Getting a nice $15k after a few weeks worth of hard work would be a great feeling. :p
 
YankeeDudeL said:
And at 21, it's almost unreal.

While searching for a replacement for my g/f's DInc, I found myself in the Verizon store quite a bit. I quickly realized how little the majority of their reps and techs knowledge of these devices were. After proving I had at least more general cell phone knowledge than a tech, the sales rep lightheartedly suggested I should work for them. I basically said I didn't want to take a step down in pay. It was then he asked what I thought they made. I figured about $25,000. He just shook his head as I went up in increments a few times before telling me each rep there makes about $60,000. He even pointed out their top sales rep who makes about $80-90,000 a year. My jaw about hit the ground with the thought of doubling or even tripling my yearly salary. A couple days later I was on the phone with a tech making smalltalk as we were trying to address a prob with the same DInc. He stated that the top reps in large markets could bring in six figures easily. My interest was officially piqued.

I've decided to try this out for myself, being as I already spend most of my free time on these forums or tinkering with my phone (it's truly an obsessive hobby I'm sure most of you would relate to). But seeing as I don't have the job history to support the change (as I haven't been able to snag an interview), I decided to move to commissioned sales to get my foot in the door, even snagging a part time gig at Costco slinging phones. Figured after a year or so of this, I'd be in good position. Thing is, even though I've only been doing this about a week or so, I really love the environment and the people I work with. Money isn't Verizon-like, but I know I'm not a corporate type and the laid back style of Costco is more my speed.

Ok, enough story time and back on track. Basically, I've entered a job field I have almost no experience in, and have def been apprehensive about it. But I know I'll have the opportunity to make money I wouldn't otherwise have a chance at, or at the very least work with people I enjoy in a field I already know I love. Only you know what's right for you, but doing something you love leads to aging gracefully, I truly believe.
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Wait this is the same Yankee who posted problem after problem of his Droid and dinc? Yeah you would fit right in. If you get a job at 60k? Then i should get the 90k job. Lol :p


Just joshing ya a little. I know what you mean though. When I was having problems with my phone I had to show the guy what to do. Its quite sad they don't hire some of the devs and guides on here to be tech support. If they did we would never hear the dirty phrase of you need to do a factory reset of your phone. Plus we would have killer updates for our phones that actually works.
 
Dark Jedi said:
Wait this is the same Yankee who posted problem after problem of his Droid and dinc? Yeah you would fit right in. If you get a job at 60k? Then i should get the 90k job. Lol :p


Just joshing ya a little. I know what you mean though. When I was having problems with my phone I had to show the guy what to do. Its quite sad they don't hire some of the devs and guides on here to be tech support. If they did we would never hear the dirty phrase of you need to do a factory reset of your phone. Plus we would have killer updates for our phones that actually works.
Click to expand...

It was those very DInc issues that lead me on this path. lol

Man, if the CM team were in charge of Ice Cream Sandwich, how awesome would that be. lol

It really appears there are far more sales reps there for the earning potential than because of their love for mobile technology. The best reps are always the ones that truly know and love these products. It's what got me hired at Costco without an interview.
 
YankeeDudeL said:
It was those very DInc issues that lead me on this path. lol

Man, if the CM team were in charge of Ice Cream Sandwich, how awesome would that be. lol

It really appears there are far more sales reps there for the earning potential than because of their love for mobile technology. The best reps are always the ones that truly know and love these products. It's what got me hired at Costco without an interview.
Click to expand...
I thought about getting a job like that part time. I would be running the place in no time. I just have people issues lol.
 
The average household income in the US is around $45k. You're making 1.5 times that just on your own and you're 21 to boot. Props to you. If you like sales, I find it hard to believe that there aren't a bajillion sales jobs out the for a someone who really knows how to sell like you obviously do.
 
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