Looking to switch careers, what do you think I could do at this stage?

[jesb]

So I am looking to change careers, though I am in my mid 30's with very little money. Currently unemployed and looking to possibly make a change. I come from a computer graphics background, office, and customer service oriented work. I haven't been too happy doing this kind of work and not sure what the long term prospects will be. I want to step away from the office kind of job and do something else, I'm just tired of the office kind of job that I've always been doing.

Do you think it's possible to switch careers at this stage of my life, and with not a whole lot of money? I've thought about maybe doing painting for homes working for a contractor doing renovation home services. That doesn't seem too hard to get your foot in the door and requires no schooling but just on the job training. I enjoyed painting when I did do it in my house so I thought this could be something I should look into. Pay is not very good though to get started. Maybe 13-15/hr if your lucky. I also thought about my own business, but don't have the money to get started, is getting help from the government at all possible to get up and running?

Those are two things I looked at, is there anything else that is good for someone like me to get into?

[spookie149]

OP how about taking a trip down to HRDC and having a chat with someone there?

[jesb]

I could do that, I will give them an email or call and see if they can help me with my career choices. But are services provided generally for someone that is older? I recall seeing some councilor services that said they can help you with finding a job if your under 30 years of age, but maybe that wasn't related to any government program. If I can get some counselling, with changing careers that would be great. But I figured I can post this here. Maybe some have changed careers and found success and can give some insight.

[spookie149]

If HRDC won't, take a look online for some other community outreach counselors. For sure they exist in NL and MB. I imagine there are similar programs across the country intended to help anyone of any age.

[jesb]

Whenever I try calling I'm told the call volume is too high and to try later, than just disconnected. I cant seem to find an email to contact them either.

[Syne]

All government service lines regarding employment are completely flooded with calls. It's like that juncture of the plague or zombie movie, where the protagonist calls 911 and finds it busy.

[jesb]

Seems strange that I cant at least email them. They only list there phone number on the site.

[sleepyguy]

I'd say you are in a good spot for a career move. Mid-30s isn't too old. Trades is going to be tough unless you know someone that will guide you through the process (if you want to become a handyman). If you are going to professional trades... that's a longer road.

If you don't mind jobs that aren't too intellectually challenging... get your fork lifter license... truckers license. You can make some decent money.

My bro was a bit like you... he finished college in IT business management but couldn't find work and hated the idea of being a cubicle worker. He jumped from one odd job to another over the years... window installer, handyman, assembly line worker, auto worker (good pay but he hated it)... then finally landed the role that seemed to fit him, at 35. He now manages circuit board production lines and makes about 60k.




So I am looking to change careers, though I am in my mid 30's with very little money. Currently unemployed and looking to possibly make a change. I come from a computer graphics background, office, and customer service oriented work. I haven't been too happy doing this kind of work and not sure what the long term prospects will be. I want to step away from the office kind of job and do something else, I'm just tired of the office kind of job that I've always been doing.

Do you think it's possible to switch careers at this stage of my life, and with not a whole lot of money? I've thought about maybe doing painting for homes working for a contractor doing renovation home services. That doesn't seem too hard to get your foot in the door and requires no schooling but just on the job training. I enjoyed painting when I did do it in my house so I thought this could be something I should look into. Pay is not very good though to get started. Maybe 13-15/hr if your lucky. I also thought about my own business, but don't have the money to get started, is getting help from the government at all possible to get up and running?

Those are two things I looked at, is there anything else that is good for someone like me to get into?

[jesb]

I'd say you are in a good spot for a career move. Mid-30s isn't too old. Trades is going to be tough unless you know someone that will guide you through the process (if you want to become a handyman). If you are going to professional trades... that's a longer road.

If you don't mind jobs that aren't too intellectually challenging... get your fork lifter license... truckers license. You can make some decent money.

My bro was a bit like you... he finished college in IT business management but couldn't find work and hated the idea of being a cubicle worker. He jumped from one odd job to another over the years... window installer, handyman, assembly line worker, auto worker (good pay but he hated it)... then finally landed the role that seemed to fit him, at 35. He now manages circuit board production lines and makes about 60k.

That's awesome that he found his way finally. I only hope I can too, but I know I'm at the age now where I'm not too old, but not young either. It's really depressing that at this stage I still don't have what I can call a career. I really am not sure what to do at this point. Driving a forklift I don't know if I can ever consider that a long term thing, or anything to do with driving. I've always been interested in technology, and recently built my first computer from scratch which I enjoyed, so I also thought maybe opening up my own computer store building computers, and selling computer hardware might be a business I could like. But I just wonder if this is smart with how many computer stores there are, or if I would even be able to get the funding needed for it. And this would be just me without a partner, that would be very hard.

[Intotheblue12]

Well 35 isn't very old, you still have a good 30+ years of work ahead of you, if not more the way things look these days..You are young enough to do whatever you like and I wouldn't worry too much about not finding your "career" by now because for tons of people thats just how it is now. Its not like the old days, people do many different things, and switch and change things up all the time for many different reasons. Don't think that your less of a person or anything because you haven't landed a gig that you think you can stay in for the rest of your life. Just live each day, and if your doing something that you somewhat like just role with the punches and be happy in the moment because it seems like nothing lasts forever and nothing is permanent anymore. If you wind up in something you don't like then exercise the power of choice and change it up and move on. Sometimes we don't know until we "do".

You mentioned that you would like to try something that isn't an office/cubicle type gig, so I would definitely start there. You have learned from your past experiences and know yourself a little better so maybe try something that is not in an office. You also mentioned your own business, and there are lots of small businesses in the trades. I can't pick a career for you and tell you what you should do only you can do that but based on your comments trying a trade out may be a good idea. Once you are skilled at a trade, have been working for someone, know the business, have started developing contacts then you could one day start your own small business based on your trade.

I don't know too much about the computer tech stuff but I am sure there are plenty of people on here with that background so maybe then can give you some comments on that area.

[jesb]

Well 35 isn't very old, you still have a good 30+ years of work ahead of you, if not more the way things look these days..You are young enough to do whatever you like and I wouldn't worry too much about not finding your "career" by now because for tons of people thats just how it is now. Its not like the old days, people do many different things, and switch and change things up all the time for many different reasons. Don't think that your less of a person or anything because you haven't landed a gig that you think you can stay in for the rest of your life. Just live each day, and if your doing something that you somewhat like just role with the punches and be happy in the moment because it seems like nothing lasts forever and nothing is permanent anymore. If you wind up in something you don't like then exercise the power of choice and change it up and move on. Sometimes we don't know until we "do".

You mentioned that you would like to try something that isn't an office/cubicle type gig, so I would definitely start there. You have learned from your past experiences and know yourself a little better so maybe try something that is not in an office. You also mentioned your own business, and there are lots of small businesses in the trades. I can't pick a career for you and tell you what you should do only you can do that but based on your comments trying a trade out may be a good idea. Once you are skilled at a trade, have been working for someone, know the business, have started developing contacts then you could one day start your own small business based on your trade.

I don't know too much about the computer tech stuff but I am sure there are plenty of people on here with that background so maybe then can give you some comments on that area.

That's how I looked at it too. I'd still be happy with 30 years of service doing something I like. I turned 34 this past March. I have been thinking for a while to get into painting, seems like most people that do end up becoming a painting contractor with their own business. But I just wonder if this area is over saturated now, seems like painting contractors outweigh every other type of trade. I don't know what my options would be for a trade, because most of them take many years to be very good at, for example wouldn't a cabinet maker be someone who has worked with wood for many years, what are the odds of being successful in something like this when just getting into it? There's also the aspect of the trades being difficult to even find someone to take you on as an apprentice to begin with. You actually need someone to hire you with no experience.

The thing is, the next thing I get into it has to be a sure thing, I cant afford anymore hiccup's as time is running out. I need the next thing I do to be what I want to do. I don't want to be 40 and still wondering what I need to do. Or simply not good enough for the next thing I chose. So I kind of need to do something I like but is a good chance to succeed at. I think if I took something like welding, cabinet maker, ect, high skilled trades, than it's a big gamble too.

[jesb]

Wouldn't mind getting some more insight here. Maybe someone out there had similar circumstances, and can share their experience with a major switch.

[Intotheblue12]

OP everything is a gamble man. You are not going to know if you are good or can be successful or even like something unless you try. It sounds like you are a little scared of failure which may be limiting you from moving forward in something. Yes painting is probably more saturated then other trades but there is a reason for that - low barriers to entry. If you are looking to find something easy to get into that doesn't require much work such as painting then that is always going to be the case for whatever you choose but that doesn't mean that you can't be successful if you work hard at it.

I have been in the same boat as you and took a 50% pay cut to try something different and yes I might fail at it but I think its important to understand that the road to success is always under construction. Sometimes you have to jump in with both feet and see what happens. If I were you I would definitely go spend some tame talking to professionals working in fields that are of interest to you. Bring your resume and leave it with them as well. If they know your interested in they have a need then they may have a spot for you.

[ssharm02]

My dad was in the banking field, he had courses that his managers didn't have...eventually he left due to presence of "glass ceilings." But he became a lawyer at the age of 53 or so.....IMO you should pursuit something you love.

[jesb]

I'm interested in what it would take to get into being a Print Press Operator, I see a lot of jobs that need 3 years experience or more. How would I get into this field, do I need some kind of degree in Printing to get my foot in the door? Anyone have any knowledge of this field in Canada, how can I get experience?

[niroopg]

I'm interested in what it would take to get into being a Print Press Operator, I see a lot of jobs that need 3 years experience or more. How would I get into this field, do I need some kind of degree in Printing to get my foot in the door? Anyone have any knowledge of this field in Canada, how can I get experience?

Just email the company that is offering the job. They would know best.

[canguy9999]

I'm interested in what it would take to get into being a Print Press Operator, I see a lot of jobs that need 3 years experience or more. How would I get into this field, do I need some kind of degree in Printing to get my foot in the door? Anyone have any knowledge of this field in Canada, how can I get experience?

You can take college courses for this. You can get a certificate taking something like 6-8 courses I believe.

A lot of it depends on the route you want to go, if you find a small place that will teach you while you do other work and assist, or if you take the courses and then try and find a place. Be aware if you go to any medium to large sized place you could very well have to start off on the night shift.

[jesb]

Just email the company that is offering the job. They would know best.

I figured this was best too, and I did email them but never got a response back. Maybe I should respond to any ad I see and ask.