anybody been through a career change?

Kira · 2013-02-04T16:00:53+00:00

Sorry it's a little off topic from pole but you lovely ladies always have such good advice. I'm currently working as a full time graphic designer for a small local company that trades online. I take the product shots and produce web banners for them. The job itself is ideal for a new starter like me (even though I graduated 3 years before I got the job!) and the workplace is pretty laid back and flexible. But I'm really unhappy :( It makes me feel 3 years at university was a waste because my manager just wants things to look like ugly and brash, everything that goes against what my creative side wants to do. To him it just has to do it's job ("LOOK AT THIS PRODUCT IN CAPITALS, IT WAS £ NOW IT'S £! SALE SALE SALE!") rather than a well thought out designed web banner. Needless to say it wasn't what I expected it to be. I'm sick of helping undeserving, lying people make more money and I want to do something that helps people. I looked into art therapy, physiotherapist, helping animals, even teaching pole(!) but I just can't make up my mind. I have little self-confidence, I actually can't say what my strengths are because I don't believe in myself. I feel it is time to change my career slightly - so something that involves creativity, as I currently everyday I dread going to work and I sit at my desk thinking 'what has happened to my life'. I get so down every few weeks as I can't find any other suitable jobs and I can't afford to study another degree again. I know some of you have changed careers and was wondering if you could share your story and inspire me. Where did you find your courage from to change? I'm scared to take the leap of faith and I don't know what I actually want to do as I'm very indecisive and can't stick to 1 thing for long ... The sooner I sort out all this the sooner I can get back to enjoying pole, as I spend so much of my energy worrying about this it makes me…

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Tovah · 2/9/2013
Olivia, Enjoy what you have. I hate to break it to you but there is crap in every job. It's all the same just a different flavour. Your a very talented lady and when I saw you take your pole to the hospital to keep your friend occupied well that lifted so many of us on here and of course your friend that I must in turn encourage you somehow but I don't know how. *HUGS*
Anonyma · 2/9/2013
wow thanks a lot i teared up reading this! i loved that studio and gave my 100%, but so far, the money isnt good , and i d rather get a job that pays the big bucks and do pole as a hobby i think it was one of the biggest mistakes in my life to open that studio! I do not want to sound negative but its time to me to regain control of my life and closing the studio is the best option for me so far !
AliciaPolerina · 2/10/2013
I've been batteling the whole "what to do with my life" arguement for the past few years and it actually is leading me to a lot of anxiety and constant worry. I was in retail jewelery for about 7 years on and off, mostly with the same company, but moved a few times, and went through a big break up which made me move back home, broke, and having to quit the store I worked at that was really enjoyable and the people I worked with were great. After I finished school, which took like 6 years to get an Associates in Fine Art because I had so many changes in my major because I had no clue what to do, I worked in more retail which was awful and was treated like crap. I got another jewelry job with the same company that I had been with before, but it was a verrry slow store with a ton of drama and peole constantly gossiping and causing problems, including dragging me in to it and calling me a stripper. I have consistantly taught pole over the past 5 years but have ended up leaving almost every studio that I've been with for not being good engough in the owners eyes, which is a huge knock on my self esteme which just seems to get lower and lower as the years go by. (Trying to change that!) So anyway, right before this past Christmas, we get told our store is closing because it's not busy enough, but we were PROMISED to be transfered to another sister store, and closer to home....yay! I was so happy to have a better opportunity because I was dreading going to work every day. I fractured my foot about 2 weeks before Christmas, so it made running around the store very painful and pretty much impossible as I was ordered to stay off my feet. Right after Christmas I was told I was the only one not getting transfered and they were letting me go because my numbers over the hollidays were the lowest in the store....no questions asked, nothing I could do and no one to reason with over it. Hello??!! I had a broken foot!!! This devastated me and I had a nervous breakdown, suffered from severe depression and felt like all i do is FAIL at everything I do. I've been teaching pole for about 6 months at a wonderful studio and have amazing students, which is probably the only reason I've stayed sane is my pole and aerial silks training. I'm on unemployment now, because I just don't know where to go from here. I want to go back to school to get a bachellors or beyond in art and design. I really love graphic design, even though I know that may not be a perfect career, but I will feel much more accomplished if I can manage to get into a program and graduate and hopefully get a job in the field instead of continuing with retail going nowhere hell! I don't know if I will get in to any colleges, but I'm sure going to try. Right now, I'm just trying to work on me and getting my mindset back to a healthy and positive one. All I do is cut myself down and feel inferior, and I know that needs to change. Even if I did manage to get another jewelry job full time, I don't think I could handle it mentally right now, and then would have no time to focus on my portfolio required to get in to school! I was running myself dry working 2 jobs every day with an hour commute. I still don't know what I'm going to do when unemployment runs out, hopefully I will be teaching full time so I don't have to get another miserable retail job and feel "stuck" again. Sorry this is so long, it kinda felt good to get it out!!
rachelskye · 2/12/2013
Hi Raven Kai! I'm a graphic designer too! And i've had my fair share of working for a jerk boss in a non-creative/sweatshop work environment. The pay was so terrible, it's too embarrassing to mention. But it'd had been 2 years since I was laid off at my previous job, my unemployment was running out so I took the position. It was nothing but grunt work. And to be honest, a lot of graphic design is grunt work. A lot of clients have no idea what GOOD design looks like. And when the boss is nothing but money hungry, you're supposed to play god and design a complete brochure/poster/logo design in less than an hour. Luckily I had a few freelance clients that allowed me to use my creative freedom. Six months later, I made the irrational decision to quit my job and pursue another opportunity. (which didn't pan out at all) BUT it got me to leave that god forsaken sweatshop! After freelancing for a few months, losing a few pounds from stress, a headhunter contacted me about a Flash Development job. (I was applying for at least 10 jobs a day!) I hadn't used Flash in years (and I kinda hated it), but the company was willing to train and the pay was good. I got the job and turns out I LOVE working in Flash--and I learned a new skill. I finally have the kind of job I always wanted, ie: relaxed work environment, flexible hours, great team, fun office parties, etc. But it wasn't easy getting here! I've been out of school for over 6 years and been designing for over 9 years. I took a BIG leap of faith, something I don't usually do, but it paid off in the end. Under normal circumstances, I would of waited until I had another job offer lined up before quitting. Having a job that doesn't make you happy can really affect your personal life. I've been there. My boyfriend had to experience my depression too unfortunately. I know it's easy to just say 'do what you enjoy.' But sometimes there aren't any opportunities to do what you enjoy....YET! Don't give up! Life isn't easy, and it takes a lot of strength to make it through the storm. But once you made it, it was worth the fight! I see a lot of talented people give up and it angers me. The people who inspire me the most are the fighters!
PoleWarrior · 2/12/2013
If you do change careers, please keep in mind that its OK to admit if it doesn't work out. I changed careers last year and spent the whole of last year miserable.I felt like I had to stick to my decision after taking such a huge plunge. It took me all that time to admit firstly to myself that I was unhappy then to everyone else. Luckily I managed to get back into my original industry. Its a bit annoying to have on my cv, but at least I tried...
Kira · 5/12/2013
just an update for those who are interested - I've finally found a part time waitressing role, saved up money (for emergencies) and decided to focus on handmade crafts to sell online. I'm resigning this week. I'm excited and nervous - will this work? have I made a mistake quitting now? will I be able to afford to pay my rent & bills? Hopefully I have accounted for the bills and every time I think 'should I really resign?' I think back to the times I cried every night because I didn't want to next working day to start and how my job did nothing to challenge me or make me better in any way and I know it's the right decision. Just hope it goes well! Also it gives me more time to pole dance - great!! :D
ShonaLancs · 5/12/2013
DO IT!!! As webmaster said, we are here on this earth for 80 years and once they are gone they are gone. You are an intelligent woman Olivia and will not struggle to find a job once you decide what you want to do. Life is far too short not to try. I can relate to hating a job. When I graduated uni I took a job at the local library, I love books and the girls there were such a great laugh I thought it would be a breeze until I found the job I was looking for (something psychology related as thats what I did my degree in), anyway, the job was cushy, paid well and the staff were all ace to work with but every Monday morning I cried before I went to work, because it was depressing and ate away at my soul. I lasted 6 months then ended up taking a job working with homeless young people for less money but more in the line of what I wanted to do. For 2 years I worked 3 part time jobs to make a full time wage, then applied for the job I have now, when I started this job as a street sex worker support worker it depressed me and I often thought 'what have I done?', now I love it and would not leave through choice. Sometimes you have got to try things you didnt think you would do or be good at to realise your strengths. I didnt think I could work with young people when I left uni, I did it and loved it and was good at it, when I started this job, I didnt think I could work with adults, now I enjoy it and think I am good at it. When an opportunity comes up say yes first and think about it later, thats how my career has worked so far. Who knows where it might lead :) My friend has just left her very reasonably paid job in the NHS because she was miserable, she has set up her own business. Sometimes you've just got to jump :) Dont be miserable, try doing something for you that will make you happy, Good luck x
Kira · 5/12/2013
awww thanks Shona, I feel like I've been avoiding responsibility since graduating and played it safe with jobs. Now I feel I should push myself to actually do something with my life. If all goes well I'd love to do a few days volunteering at a local animal shelter too, then that's another thing ticked off the 'to do' list!
calipolepixie · 5/13/2013
I sympathize with where you are at right now. I felt the same with my last job of 11 years! Then I got a blessing of sorts...I got laid off. Now a year later, I am still unemployed and trying to figure out what I want to do as a career now. I have a few things that I have ALWAYS wanted to do/try and now I think I am actually going to try and go for them ALL! Why not? life is too short and if you have the time, passion and patience, you can start a new career as often as you like, until you find the perfect fit for you :)