What happens when you pull out and start again?

Anyhow, I didn't have acareer per se, but after working for three years fulltime in the photographic industry, I packed it in and went back to uni. Despite how I feel about it at this very moment, it makes me happy to think I won't be working a shitkicking job my entire life now. Highly recommended.

For what it's worth, I'm currently in IT and loathing it, but I'm studying IT part-time as well, and loathing it. As a result I'm getting exactly nil pleasure out of life, and really starting to wonder if I wouldn't be better off getting out of IT entirely and doing something I actually enjoy.

Been thinking about it a lot lately, actually. I'm going to see a career coach next week.

Me too, Thursday morning. The lady at the coaching place said they ignore what I'm skilled/experienced in, and focus completely on what I like and what I'm good at.

My main reservation is having to throw away more than three years of the degree I've half-completed; but if it's this painful, am I mad to keep doing it?

I'm just horrendously crass I'm afraid.

Adam Ive been thru this before. I worked in the govt for 7 years in a truly dead-end role, no chance for advancement (as Idve had to go back to Canberra for that and I wasnt going to). One day at that job this woman I worked with mentioned RMIT's Professional Writing and Editing diploma and in a fit of inspiration I picked myself up, worked up a CV/portfolio and applied.

I not only got in, apparently I came top of the applicants (!!!). It was a fantastic change and one I dont regret in the slightest, as it not only helped me focus my writing but introduced me to the internet/web/DTP/design which is where Im at now.

This career-change lark sounds better by the minute.

Naw, I thought this this thread was gonna be about something different as well.

I'd recommend paying some attention to your abilities, not just your tastes. I mean, I'd love to be a pop star, but that doesn't make it a good career move (age 44, unattractive, horrible voice - my chances seem limited), and I don't mean financially, I mean in terms of finding something satisfying. I'm also beginning to accept that I may never score the winning goal in the World Cup Final. On the other hand, I wonder if I'd pursued ideas of writing (comics, criticism, that kind of thing) with more vigour and confidence if I might have something more rewarding now.

I think age and level of responsibility is a big factor: if you are young and without dependents, I'd certainly say have a good shot at things you might enjoy before settling into something that's only okay but reliable.

I'd recommend paying some attention to your abilities, not just your tastes.

That's what I want to do. Fortunately, I think I'm good at most of the things I enjoy. I guess I'll find out more when I go in for this career coaching thing, because their job is to tell me what I'm good at, and what careers can be had by exploiting those skills.

I think age and level of responsibility is a big factor: if you are young and without dependents, I'd certainly say have a good shot at things you might enjoy before settling into something that's only okay but reliable.

I'm 30 and have no kids, but kids might happen in the next 2-3 years, so whatever I end up doing must be reasonably solid and well-paying. But, my main goal now is to enjoy what I do. In all seriousness I've hated every job I've had since the late '90s, and I know it shouldn't be that way.

These personal accounts and tips are ace, thanks everyone.

I realize this kind of career path isn't for everyone, but it has been mine and I have enjoyed life a whole lot more.

I did maths at uni (zero computer content) then went to work as a computer programmer, quit that to do a maths Phd, finished that, was a teacher for a year, quit that to do journalism or something which I didn't get a job at, just a couple of work experience things which led on to work as a general admin person at a music related company.

I also have a sideline in photography which pays sometimes.

But my main thing is music...

This is an obstacle to being a pop star?

but my new thing gives
me MORE flexibility
plus a lot more fun

and my crazy dream
of striking out on my own
now remains ALIVE

I've been really pleased that some of my close friends have reacted positively about this new direction. A couple of years ago I suggested something similar and I was essentially laughed at. I guess I've changed...

I would dearly LOVE to use my possible loss of job at the year's end as a chance to go back and study (thinking graphic design/multimedia, maybe photography... not sure). Problem is a uni degree is out of the question with HECS the way it is now. I suppose I could do a shorter intensive course at a specialist grafx college or something, but I'll be 10 years older than everyone else... and I cant really afford study unless my partner starts earning what I am now to support us both... arrrgh.

How the hell do people get jobs like writing reviews for PC games mags and that kinda shit? That would be so much fun.

Why? Counselors make enough to get by, don't they?

'Toads'
Why should I let the toad work
  Squat on my life?
Can't I use my wit as a pitchfork
  And drive the brute off?
Six days of the week it soils 
  With its sickening poison -
Just for paying a few bills!
  That's out of proportion.
Lots of folk live on their wits:
  Lecturers, lispers,
Losels, loblolly-men, louts-
  They don't end as paupers;
Lots of folk live up lanes
  With fires in a bucket,
Eat windfalls and tinned sardines-
  they seem to like it.
Their nippers have got bare feet,
  Their unspeakable wives
Are skinny as whippets - and yet
  No one actually starves.
Ah, were I courageous enough 
  To shout Stuff your pension!
But I know, all too well, that's the stuff
  That dreams are made on:
For something sufficiently toad-like
  Squats in me, too;
Its hunkers are heavy as hard luck,
  And cold as snow,
And will never allow me to blarney
  My way of getting
The fame and the girl and the money
  All at one sitting.
I don't say, one bodies the other
  One's spiritual truth;
But I do say it's hard to lose either,
  When you have both.
- P. Larkin

Anyway, it's been a huge help, because now that I've actually written down all my likes and dislikes, and discussed it all with her, I'm getting a really good idea of the types of jobs that would suit me. She's helping me with that bit now. It's looking like system development or technical writing, either of which would suit me.