<p>I met a nurse today who told me that nursing was her third career! She previously worked in two completely unrelated areas (financial services and retail management). Wow, that is really inspiring! What has been your career path?</p>
<p>Me, I’m really on my first, though I took a break and mostly did painting for a couple of years. My older son’s best elementary school teacher though, had been a nurse for years, and one of his best high school teacher was a lawyer.</p>
<p>Publishing marketing manager, Stay at Home Mom, Hotel Management, Construction Management</p>
<p>Dental Hygienist * Stay-at-Home-Mom (5 years) * Real Estate Broker</p>
<p>Meeting/Event/Conference Planner (BA degree), Stay at home Mom, Elementary School Librarian (MLS) !</p>
<p>Only one for me but hubby is on third: Lt Cmd in US Navy, then mid-manager in big-pharma, then tenure-track professor.</p>
<p>Production supervisor in a truck plant, higher education administrator (admissions, co-op relations, registrar, financial aid), stay at home mom and super-volunteer, substitute teacher … and now, financial aid officer (not in charge, as I once was).</p>
<p>Adjunct prof in English, then counselor in at-risk college student support program.</p>
<p>My H wa a pediatrician, now HS biology teacher (and much happier!)</p>
<p>Somewhat related but Copywriter, Adjunct Prof., Marketing Director</p>
<p>For those of you who changed jobs or careers, what was the incentive to change?</p>
<p>Bio major. Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Medical Reference Librarian. Stay at home mom. Middle school librarian. Artist.</p>
<p>Income streams:</p>
<p>1st: biology technician and part-time unsuccessful science fiction writer
2nd: full-time technical writer, computer industry (user documentation)
3rd: mom and part-time tech writer
4th: chemistry teacher (high school)
5th: dog trainer and internet bicycle parts retailer</p>
<p>Incentives to change: boredom, excitement of new industry and opportunities, need to adapt to circumstances… Left biology for high tech because that was where the money was in 1980; left that for teaching when the kids were little, so I could have the schedule I needed (and because I loved chemistry); I left teaching with DH developed lymphoma and I no longer cared about anything but his health and time with family; we started the bike biz because cycling probably saved his life (ten years in remission)… and I got the dogs when the kids went to college, and they made me learn dog training!</p>
<p>engineering aide, political staff, college administrator/counselor, management analyst, copywriter, college counselor, political campaign staff, writer, freelance writer, real estate agent for 19 years, now starting up my own real estate relocation enterprise on the side. Still trying to write on my own projects on the side but time is the enemy.</p>
<p>Wow, I’m in awe of you all who have done so many changes. I even admire one change! I think so many would benefit so much by making the leap, but it takes a lot of courage and trust in yourself to do so.</p>
<p>Medical Technologist - left because of bad working conditions/low pay/shift work
Accountant (had to return to school first)
Stay at home mom
Accountant</p>
<p>Purser on cruise ship –> Customs inspector –> Stay at home mom –> back to Customs, different dept. (trade)</p>
<p>People change fields for many reasons. Common reasons to jump is a salary bump or a realization that you have a particular interest that is unexplored. Third might be an unexpected opportunity that is intriguing. I’ve heard that the average job span at a company is now only 3 years. If this is fairly accurate it means a whole bunch of people are switching jobs, some stay in the same company or job category, but many will be switching gears. My good friend was in purchasing for many years. She finished her MBA and switched to finance. Not entirely unrelated, but definitely a career switch.</p>
<p>I’ve stayed in variations of the same career (which now involves writing research reports) but scaled down to part time recently due to more time spent on my <em>second</em> career which is educational advocacy. I love advocacy work because the right services can dramatically change the future of a child. (I would do it for free, but I am glad I get paid with college looming!)</p>
<p>1) producer/director/announcer public radio (fun job, but no money)
2) adjunct college instructor, piano teacher, stay-at-home mom (kids were little so I was home during the day and
taught evening classes)
3) elementary school music teacher, adjunct college instructor, mom (steady income)
4) grad student (Ph.D.), adjunct college instructor, college academic advisor (full-time), mom (better pay than<br>
elementary school teacher)
5) piano teacher, mom (current jobs)
6) real estate salesperson, mom (start my real estate class next week!)</p>
<p>I have moved several times during my adult life and had to find jobs in each new city. Being an adjunct instuctor has been the constant. I have been in education most of my adult life. I am sooooo ready for a change. I am burnt out on teaching.</p>
<p>Wow, it is great people had opportunities to explore either because of interests or unforseable change of circumstances.
Me, I’ve been a full-time RN for 35yrs, but changed fields several times, without ever taking a break ICU-CCU, ER, Cardiovascular, Adjunct Faculty.</p>
<p>Over the last 6yrs I have earned money with my baking skills and more recently just started a little business making jewelry.
But my Nursing career is what pays the bills.</p>