I have had a pretty chequered career so far.Its now over 8 yrs that I have been working and have changed jobs every two years or so(due to better offers and stagnation in existing jobs).My career so far has been in the telecommunication and information tech sectors,initially in operations and for the past four years in hard-core field sales.I have always ensured giving my 100% in all my jobs so far and can safely say,have left my own legacy in each of them.My former employers still appreciate my work and I have good relationships with all.

Though I have always performed in sales,I never started my career thinking of being in it.In university I studied literature and got my first job in my final year,which led to telecom and information tech.It wasnt planned at all and one thing just led to another.My pay packet kept getting better with every job and I was carving my own position,so though I wasnt liking crunching sales targets and working under the sometimes-unbelievable pressure,I went along cos thats what I had been doing and become good at.

Now,I cant take it any more and have started feeling like putting a stop to this -dont like-but-have-to-do-it mindset.I know that deep inside I want to break away from sales.I WANT A CHANGE

However,realising that I need a change(I am 31)has stirred up a hornet's nest inside of my mind cos now I am faced with the obvious question as to what do I do?I am good at communication and working in sales has made me more disciplined,structured and professional.I know that I can deliver but I just dont want any more target-related pressure or the idea that if I didnt meet this month's quotas,I would lose my job.I want a more settled career,one which requires me to be creative and innovative and work with people.

Need suggestions and opinions from people who have either changed careers or are looking to do so,in order to make up my mind and go all-out in fulfilling my dreams

JZH

Hi Starry nights
Let me start by telling you what I've done when I decided to make a career change about a year ago, I started working at a restaurant chain when I was still in high school, and I've been with them for about 9 years, and I got to the position of Assistant Manager in one of the restaurants. I was happy with what I've got (at least that was my thought at the time), then I woke up one day with a voice in my head "this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life, and I don't want to do this anymore, I don't want to be on my feet for 14 hours a day, 6 days a week," And that's when I decided to start searching for a new job, and the journey began. I went through some of the big corporate names and the positions they have available, and none of them interested me, so I decided to go to my friends for help, and one of them suggested that I look for a position at the airport, because even though I don't want to be a watchdog for the restaurant chain anymore, but I still wants to find a job where I can put my customer service skills to work, and off I went, and I got the job where I am happy and gets to do what I do best at the same time. So the real question shouldn't be what should you do or what do you do, it should be what your heart and mind wants you to do, follow your heart and trying to find a job where you can be happy and gets to do what you do best at the same time, there are many positions availabe out there that will offer you both and will also provide you with growth and a promising future. Hope this answers your question and good luck.

Starry nights

Thanks JZH......this really helps.I do agree that it all starts by understanding what I want to do,what I am good at and what will make me happy.Thats what I want as well,you know,to figure out what really makes me happy and then maybe I can make a career out of it.For so long,its just been about doing something because I have to do it and because it pays good money.Now it will be about what I LIKE doing...........food for thought

JZH

Starry nights

you're welcome, also please note that sometimes even doing what you like to do and what makes you happy comes with stress, and sometimes that stress will make you doubt if you've made the right choice. When that time comes, don't doubt the choice you've made are bad, and don't think about how good your old job was, because that will only make you believe firmly that you've made a mistake by changing jobs, try to relax and calm your mind, and don't think back.

Starry nights

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO,THATS SO UNFAIR-----------------

No,but maybe,JZH,they should teach us JOB=STRESS in school,in order to prepare us,but I suppose,when you're doing what you like,at least it feels like its worth the stress,maybe!!

redhed35

hey starynights,have you considered setting up your own sales training business?

teach people to sell...

with your good relationship with past employers you could now have them employ you for training sessions....be your own boss.

Starry nights

Red--what a fabulous idea--must say,you've seriously got me thinking dear,thanks so much,sounds cool-----of the many ideas I've been thinking of and discussing with people,this is surely one of the best--I've always paid a lot of attention to your advice in this forum and no wonder why

Thanks for your time!

redhed35

it really would not take much,register as a company,you as the ceo,of course..register for tax,maybe there are grants for new business's?

a few business cards...a little info..and bobs your uncle!

starynights..CEO...aka..the boss.