Manual labor or cushy desk job?

[Ceezer]

For most of the last 13 years I've been at a desk, the majority of it IT-related. It was alright at first but about 4 years ago I started feeling like it just wasn't me. I wanted to be outside and I was getting restless. At the time I was putting my wife through school to become an RN and was the only income, so I ran it by her. She seemed to think that I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would, especially in this Carolina heat, and that I'd always be tired when I got home. But I'm already tired when I get home because mental exhaustion (not from using the ol' noodle too much, but from stress of the job and dealing with ignorance all day) really does a number on me.

I considered going into the park/forestry service in some manor, as that was a childhood dream, but she thinks I'd just be out there dragging dead carcasses around. My other childhood dreams were to be a truck driver (can't do that because I get sleepy behind the wheel these days) and accountant (I like numbers but never pursued it because the old man said college was for "pencil pushing (w)ussies").

I considered autobody but worried I'd lose interest in it as a hobby if I was making it a job every day.

I guess she's got a point, I'm a good ol' boy from the mountains of Appalachia and would probably miserable if I was out roofing or something similar in the blistering sun every day.

I did also consider a medical field and looked into radiology, as I'd still be up and about on my feet if not outside, and I'd get to help people. All the schools offering the program around here, however, carried a 3-year waiting list.

Maybe I'm just bored with who I am and am flaking out. Maybe I'm subconsciously seeking the approval of my elders (my grandpa is known as the hardest working man from Louisville to Pittsburg; my old man is known as the 2nd hardest, as he's always tried to fill those expectations, but is the #1 welder in the same region). I don't know, but what I do know is I feel like an animal trapped in a cage. I have an hour commute each way and I spend the morning hour dreading my arrival at work, and the afternoon hour wishing I didn't have to go back the next morning. I've been called an idiot many times by many people for even considering it because I have it easy and am willing to give that up. Yeah, I suppose I do have it easy. What I do isn't "hard", but it's not easy and it's not fulfilling and it's not rewarding in any way (not that I'm seeking anyone's approval or merit).

Unfortunately, I'm coming up on 33 and feel as if it may be too late for me to be making that kind of change in my life. Especially since I'm just now going through a separation and have an entire household to maintain on my own.

But what do you guys think? If you could choose between the two, what would you do?

 

[FTG]

Hey Ceezer,

Well, I'm 38 and my last career change was in 2005 (age 34) when I became a high school teacher. At the time my eldest son was heading into his 4th year and my 2nd son was born that same year.

Prior to this I seem to have gone in roughly 7 year stretches with what I'm doing. One of my motivations for this career change was the need for stability for my family - to actually buy a house etc.

There are different factors involved
-financial (regular income? size of income? financial commitments?)
-personal (aside from money - what do I get out of this?)
-values / what's important (does the job need to involve something I value?)

I guess sometimes it's ok for a job to be just a job - you can get value out of it in different ways (eg. interaction with collegues / clients)

Sometimes a hobby / interest should stay as that - it isn't always the same when you rely on it for an income.

On the flip-side - there can also be the attitude of 'If you're doing something you love for a living then it's not really working...'


Whatever you choose, I think is ok - so long as your family is on side!

You never really know until you try something - sometimes it works out well, sometimes it isn't really for you. Sounds like you're ready for a change (maybe you were ready a few years ago?) - the question is what sort?

If you're concerned about being too old, don't be. I like the story of the 80 yr old starting a university course. When told she was too old, that she'd be 84 when she finished, she replied - 'In 4 years time I'll be 84 whether I do this course or not.'

Starting something new is scary but also kind of exciting. Being a learner, a beginner is daunting for us adults, but again it is great to learn to experience new things.

Good luck with whatever course you take - who knows what the future holds!!??

All the best,
Michael.

 

[Chimensch]

Especially since I'm just now going through a separation and have an entire household to maintain on my own.

Your marriage is busting up and your wife has left you to deal with the kids all by yourself? And you think that your problem is that you don't like your job? Will your wife go with you to counseling? I think that you need more professional help than you're going to get from a shaving forum. Not because I think there's anything wrong with you, but because someone has obviously dumped an elephant-load of **** in your lap and you need some help sorting it out. By the way, I don't think that this is the time to change jobs.

 

[FTG]

Just read the tail end re separation.

Yep - you do need some stability right now.

+1 to getting counselling.

Good luck
Michael.

 

[Ceezer]

Your marriage is busting up and your wife has left you to deal with the kids all by yourself? And you think that your problem is that you don't like your job? Will your wife go with you to counseling? I think that you need more professional help than you're going to get from a shaving forum. Not because I think there's anything wrong with you, but because someone has obviously dumped an elephant-load of **** in your lap and you need some help sorting it out. By the way, I don't think that this is the time to change jobs.

It's not as simple, or horrible, as it sounds. My wife is an RN and works 4 days a week so I have our daughter when she's working, and she has her when she's not. We're good on that aspect. To be honest, and open, our marriage pretty much ended 5 years ago. I spent the next 4 trying to fix it, including trying to pursuade her to go to counseling with me, but she wasn't interested. The truth is we were both young and dumb. I got her pregnant and we rushed into marriage (my little brother died 3 days after we found out she was pregnant so I was probably emotional and looking for some sort of stability/grounding; though, even knowing what I do now, I'd still marry her if I had it to do over). We were good for a few years but then I guess we grew apart. We're great as friends, just not as husband and wife. We had discussed the big D a few times over the years but just recently decided to quit putting it off. While I still love my wife and this whole situation sucks, I don't think we have any underlying issues. Our friendship is healthy for our daughter and we went to the fair together the other night. I'm probably also going to her parents (her family all still love me) with her for Thanksgiving, just so we can spend it as a family. She says I'm a good man and didn't do anything wrong. She didn't do anything wrong. We just didn't work.

Wow, so that's a whole lot more than I planned to get into when starting this thread. The reason I touched on it is to explain that I've been able to keep my feelings about my relationship separate from my feelings about work. If there's any relation, it's that having less time with my daughter had increased my dislike for the commute I make. If I'm not getting paid for my time, then I want to spend it with her on the days she's home. Unfortunately, this type of work isn't really available where I live (outside Sumter) so commuting (to Columbia) is the only option. Transitioning into something I enjoy more and could do in Sumter means I'd also free up 8-10 hours a week.

When I first got out of the Corps and moved back to Ohio I applied to the State Patrol. I jumped through all the hoops and was accepted into the academy. It wasn't until after I had gone through all that, though, that I found out the academy was backed up a year and a half. I couldn't afford to just sit around and wait so I went on to do other things. Shortly after I landed a job down here in SC and moved back down.

Since being here, I've been approached by the Sumter Police Debt 3 times out in the public about joining the force (I'm naturally built like a linebacker). The thing is, Sumter is rated by Morgan Quinto as the 3rd most dangerous metro in the US. Because of that I thought the risk was too high for their salary of $26k + car (heck, that's low for any job; I've taken 3 paycuts in the last 2 years and still make more than that) and politely refused. But now I'm starting to give it a second thought. Public service is something I think I'd enjoy. It's why I served in the Corps, it's why I tried to become a trooper, it's why I wouldn't mind working in a hospital or a school. Unfortunately, I don't have the education for either of the latter.

In fact, my wife is even supportive of my desire to change fields and has stated that if I decide to do so, she would try to help out financially as much as possible.

So there, you pretty much have The Ceezer Story now...

 

[Piper Down]

I have very few mottos or mantras.

One that has never failed me is: "Follow your heart."

Go slow and don't be afraid to change.

 

[paulboeck]

Well, putting all the marriage stuff aside, I'll get back to the original question. I've also been in IT for a while (15 years) and have many of the same career satisfaction issues that you seem to describe. My take on it is this. Now is probably not the best time to be looking for a new job, much less a career. However, it's never too late to do the right thing. I'd say keep your day job as stable as possible and start investigating other opportunities in your free time. You may have a hard time finding something outside the IT industry that pays as well though (at least that's what I've found), so keep that in mind.

 

[Chimensch]

I have very few mottos or mantras.

One that has never failed me is: "Follow your heart."

Go slow and don't be afraid to change.

+ 1 I can support that.

 

[Confuzius]

I'm facing something mildly similar.
I've been working at the same place for 5 years, 2 in the warehouse, then I got promoted to sales, and have been doing inside sales for 3 years. I have zero passion for what I'm doing, and my favourite days at work are when too many people are on vacation/call in sick in the warehouse and I get to go back and work shipping because I'm the only other one who knows how the system works. The problem is that I now make almost double what I did in the warehouse. I like the company, but I'm not really satisfied with my job.

I've gone back to school in university night classes for software development, eventually I'll make a career change, but it will take some time. I do have to say though, it feels great to be learning again after years of mental stagnancy.

I'll be 27 next month.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

In regards to the accounting profession, I would say go for it, but you should know what you're getting into. I think accounting isn't going to give you the same mental exhaustion as a normal desk job, but it depends on if you like it. As far as getting your accounting degree, there's a 150 hour credit requirement to take the CPA exam, so if you did not attend college (which I think I gathered from the original post) it's a daunting task. If you did, then it's just another 30 hours and then sitting for a CPA exam. You can make good money and your background in IT might help especially in designing accounting systems (if you felt like you could continue that).

I disagree with the idea that it's a bad time to transition, at least to an accounting degree. If you can afford the time off and the education, you'll be fine, accounting doesn't experience the same issues as the rest of the economy (at least for the most part, not saying it hasn't hurt). That being said I'm still looking for a job.

But, like everyone else said, do what you want to do. If you would enjoy a park service job then go for it. I also second the advice on counseling. It's a bit personal but I believe two people pursuing Christ in a marriage will end up meeting somewhere along the way (my parents describe it as the triangle, the couple being the base and Christ being the pinnacle).

Anyway, that was quite a bit more than I thought I had to say, but good luck in your endeavors and I pray that you and your wife could reconcile, it's a terrible thing to lose love.

 

[Argonaut]

It's not for everyone but the HVAC field is starving for qualified service technicians and installation experts. There is a vast difference between people who work in this trade and the minority that actually know what their doing. Diagnosing and repairing large commercial equipment is mentally and physically demanding and your rarely in the same place day to day. Top techs can earn from 40K to 60K a year and more depending on your area. I'm not saying it's all great, but it's a thought.

 

[kwk285]

My wife is a CPA. The shortage of good accountants is large. This is a field that if you enjoy it, you can build a good well paying career.

I have been an outside sales person for 15+ years in the construction and pharmaceutical industries. I have found sales to be very rewarding. I don't have to work in an office. I get to control my schedule. Most importantly, I like the fact that I control what happens in my territory. If something goes well, I feel my efforts played a part. When things are going wrong, I like the fact that I feel I can help fix those problem areas.

I have told my wife that if I ever say I want to work in an office again, she has my permission to hit my upside the head with a 2x4.

You need to find something that you like doing and can make enough money doing it.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

I should add that being a CPA would go a long way towards setting up your own business and you would be understand your finances (in the business) a lot better.

 

[airplanedoc]

What about working for the National Park Service? Its outside, they have a variety of jobs, ranger, guide, maintenance, IT etc. From the things you mentioned you were looking for variety, service, outdoor. it might be right up your alley.

I have a former employee who retired from Factory work , and went to work for our local conservation district. He loves it, says he wished he would have done it 30 years earlier, and he get to do a little of everything.

 

[_JP_]

One thing about the desk job compared to doing labor is that usually with the desk job there is nothing to show for it at the end of the day. That was illustrated to me by a friend in college. He drove a cement truck to pay his tuition. While we drove around town, he would point at a building, sidewalk, swimming pool, etc., and say, "Look! I built that!"

 

[richmondesi]

My wife is a CPA. The shortage of good accountants is large. This is a field that if you enjoy it, you can build a good well paying career.

I have been an outside sales person for 15+ years in the construction and pharmaceutical industries. I have found sales to be very rewarding. I don't have to work in an office. I get to control my schedule. Most importantly, I like the fact that I control what happens in my territory. If something goes well, I feel my efforts played a part. When things are going wrong, I like the fact that I feel I can help fix those problem areas.

I have told my wife that if I ever say I want to work in an office again, she has my permission to hit my upside the head with a 2x4.

You need to find something that you like doing and can make enough money doing it.

I have an accounting degree, and absolutely hated being in public practice for a couple of reasons. 1. The hours were very long - not just in sheer number, but also because the mental exertion was exhausting. 2. I really didn't feel that most of my clients really appreciated what I did. A story that I love to tell is one of a meeting that I had with a client for 2 hours with a senior partner at a small firm. We showed our client a way to save literally $10,000 in his startup, and when we presented him with a bill for our service, he tore it up, didn't pay (obviously), and went to a competitive firm because we were too expensive.

I've since gotten into the medical sales field, and I work just as hard but with much more satisfactions. Prior to this experience, I was a project manager for a utility construction company. This was by far my favorite work. It was the hardest physically, it was almost as time consuming as being in public practice, but I would do it again if the work climate ever got back to the point that I could be happy doing it again. (the company that I was contracting for was a real PITA, but I loved the work)

I should add that being a CPA would go a long way towards setting up your own business and you would be understand your finances (in the business) a lot better.

This is very true

One thing about the desk job compared to doing labor is that usually with the desk job there is nothing to show for it at the end of the day. That was illustrated to me by a friend in college. He drove a cement truck to pay his tuition. While we drove around town, he would point at a building, sidewalk, swimming pool, etc., and say, "Look! I built that!"

The value of this feeling cannot be overstated IMO.

 

[Ceezer]

Thanks, everyone, for your input and suggestions. I didn't mean to bring my marriage into this discussion, I just mentioned it initially because having to support a household by myself now made me a little weary of changing jobs this late in life.

I would love to work for the National Park Service, or even DNR (I'm already a state employee). I just haven't been able to find anything locally, and those that have popped up required backgrounds in Earth Science, Conservation and other stuff. I've been able to make it through the IT field without a degree because of my knowledge and hard work, but I think it would be harder to wing it with that stuff.

I've since gotten into the medical sales field, and I work just as hard but with much more satisfactions.

What is it that you find satisfying about medical sales? My neighbor is an insurance guy and he's home just about every day, farting around on his boats, buying new toys, etc. I think I only see him get dressed and leave the house maybe a few times a month. I'm guessing at this point he's just been at it long enough that he's collecting residuals and renewals.

Kwk285 also said he was in sales and liked that he wasn't chained to an office and could control his schedule. Just how much control over your schedule do you have? What is a typical day like?

I've considered it, because that's all that really seems to be available in the immediate area other than nursing and truck driving, but I just don't know if I'm the salesman type. I don't like to be pressured, so if someone were to tell me no, I don't want to pressure them. Is it simpler than this? I also don't like cold-calling. I worked for AFLAC very briefly 10 years ago. I went through the process of getting certified in Life & Accidental Death (OH 1030?) and then spent the next week cold-calling. My supervisor took me along on the appointments that I set up and at the end of the month I received a check for $168. It was a bad experience and I certainly couldn't afford to support a family on $2000/yr. I don't know if it was just slow to start or if he was keeping most of it, or what, but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

Sales will always have some degree of skillful pressuring involved (I'm uncomfortable with selling as well, it just didn't work well for me), I imagine the reason that some people are able to keep out of an office a lot is because they're good salesmen. Just know all the pro and con that comes with commission work.

 

[richmondesi]

What I like about my job is that I have some ability to set my schedule, and when a surgery utilizes one of my products, it feels like I've done something worthwhile. I also get to stay home a lot, and when I am out, I can come home early enough to see my kids usually.

There is a lot of cold calling and relationship building in what I do, though.

 

[Stubblefield]

As I have done both (I was a mechanic, display artist, then transitioned to graphic artist, now teacher) I'll suggest that jobs that require a good amount of manual labor become harder to do as you get older. But both can be rewarding, providing you are suited to them. As I gain in age, the best jobs (to me) are the ones that do not have you chained to a desk/station all day, provide decent time off, and present numerous challenging problems that require solving. In fact, the most compelling reason for me to take one job over the other is the variety and level of challenge in the problems the job addresses. I plan on teaching at least another 10 years, but am already casting about for my next gig.

So ask yourself, what types of problems do you like solving?

Good luck with your search.