Thinking of a career change...

[dave1949]

That's a tough question. I think it's normal for guys your age to sort of take stock and decide if they are enjoying life or not.

Before you leave police work, try to figure out what it is in particular about the job that is causing you to question it. Is it the hours? The internal BS and politics? Spending your working day with low-lifes and jerks? Scrapping guts off the road? Lack of career advancement opportunities? If you can identify which of those types of things are bothering you, then perhaps moving to another department with a different atmosphere or location/type of police work would make you happier.

If the issue is something common to being a policeman anywhere, then you cannot escape that. But maybe a position that required fewer on-duty hours would allow you the time to pursue a second job where you could learn a trade, start a business, or just plain enjoy life.

From a financial perspective, how many more years do you need to have your pension fully vested? How secure is your pension? If it is a state plan, it may be transferable/carried with you to other jurisdictions and public sector jobs within the state.

It's a tough job market out there. Think carefully before leaping.

I did change careers about three times. From industrial arts teacher to computer field service to database software and systems analysis. It worked for me, but those were different times and each job had a logical skill connection to the next, and I got some formal education along the way.

 

[bcp]

...and have a job in law enforcement working for a small city.

Have you considered moving up to county or state level? Teaching law enforcement at a Junior College?

Bruce

 

[Rayster]

A guy by the name of Askinosie was a defense attorney for a horrific murder case in my area. After that case, he quit being an attorney. Opened a chocolate shoppe, and makes chocolate from beans that are from all over the world. $8-$9 chocolate bars. The business is thriving and does business all over the planet.

Crap like that amaze me...

 

[bigtiller]

This thread remindes me of an old boss of mine. He started out in life as a jet fighter pilot in Vetnam, then became a trial lawyer until he burned himself out, started his own field tiling business and went broke and last I heard he was driving a truck for someone else.

So,,,I guess, be carefull what you wish for, the grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive been an electrical contractor for many years. The work is easy and pay is great; however competition is fierce at times.

I love being self employed.Basically cause im a lazy bum, and these hours agree with me. HAHA.

Actually its alot of work, and if you have employees its a real PITA. I have invested my own in the market over the years, and the wife and i are sitting on a nice retirement nestegg and dont have to trust that the pension will be there when i retire. Also have a few rental houses in the mix.

On larger jobs im getting about $50-80 per hour plus percentage of materials. Not so much on smaller jobs.

Then again, ive done some jobs that have only taken 30 minutes and was low bidder at $200/hr .

Lots of these better paying jobs are as trouble shooters. A company will pay nicely if you can get them up and running FAST.


But the best thing is...i really do love my work. 2 hour lunches are nice also

 

[murphy1244]

best thing is...i really do love my work!!!---------- You have it made! I'm very happy for you. That is a rare thing to have.

 

[SPIKER]

Me being mid (um errr later 40's) can say your age is OK to start NEW careers but be aware it is very tough job market out there. You are making very good $ for someone your age and probably more than you will get doing much in any HVAC or Electrician job at the moment. I've been Electrical Engineering and did not make that in Ohio and Michigan is in worse shape for Jobs Market... I did HVAC work for many many years as Industrial Equipment designer, building from scratch as Engineering, Fabrication and Installing the Ovens Washers, coolers etc into factories. Again not making what you are now and times it is very hit/miss lots of work 7 days a week then nothing for 2 or 3 months... I also had 7+ years in Union Shop as Industrial Electrical Maintenance, good work but again you worked weekends off hours and holidays when shop was normally closed the maintenance worked 12hrs... I was on 1st, 2nd and 3rds all in the same month worked every weekend & was lucky to have Tuesday/Wednesday off. Went to work Thanksgiving week on 1st shift the boss said Mark I want you to start 2nds Wednesday on 2nd shift and work that all thru the Thanksgiving shutdown... I said Nope that dont work, How about I Quit and go home , (10 or 15 maintenance guys all standing there & Boss was a jerk) it really felt good lol... One other job was just as bad with 2nd shift hours and on Friday Payday I said I'm giving my 2 weeks notice they said here take your check and get out & dont come back lol...

There are next to NO place anymore offering Pensions other than a few Unions and State/Government jobs & looking back I think I should have finished my Pension Military job but Clinton cut forces and I was forced out of USAF to start switching my jobs... I've gone thru maybe 10 jobs from Hanging/Finishing Drywall, Rough carpentry, Electrician, Welder/Fabricator Industrial Maintenance and went to school for Electronic Engineering. I finished my Associates Degree in 97, now I'm unemployed again & going BACK to school again to finish my BSEE degree which is going to take 3 years as only SOME of my old degree transferred..

Mark

 

[grsthegreat]

Me being mid (um errr later 40's) can say your age is OK to start NEW careers but be aware it is very tough job market out there. You are making very good $ for someone your age and probably more than you will get doing much in any HVAC or Electrician job at the moment. I've been Electrical Engineering and did not make that in Ohio and Michigan is in worse shape for Jobs Market... I did HVAC work for many many years as Industrial Equipment designer, building from scratch as Engineering, Fabrication and Installing the Ovens Washers, coolers etc into factories. Again not making what you are now and times it is very hit/miss lots of work 7 days a week then nothing for 2 or 3 months... I also had 7+ years in Union Shop as Industrial Electrical Maintenance, good work but again you worked weekends off hours and holidays when shop was normally closed the maintenance worked 12hrs... I was on 1st, 2nd and 3rds all in the same month worked every weekend & was lucky to have Tuesday/Wednesday off. Went to work Thanksgiving week on 1st shift the boss said Mark I want you to start 2nds Wednesday on 2nd shift and work that all thru the Thanksgiving shutdown... I said Nope that dont work, How about I Quit and go home , (10 or 15 maintenance guys all standing there & Boss was a jerk) it really felt good lol... One other job was just as bad with 2nd shift hours and on Friday Payday I said I'm giving my 2 weeks notice they said here take your check and get out & dont come back lol...

There are next to NO place anymore offering Pensions other than a few Unions and State/Government jobs & looking back I think I should have finished my Pension Military job but Clinton cut forces and I was forced out of USAF to start switching my jobs... I've gone thru maybe 10 jobs from Hanging/Finishing Drywall, Rough carpentry, Electrician, Welder/Fabricator Industrial Maintenance and went to school for Electronic Engineering. I finished my Associates Degree in 97, now I'm unemployed again & going BACK to school again to finish my BSEE degree which is going to take 3 years as only SOME of my old degree transferred..

Mark

I was an electrical journeyman in the union for a few years. Pay was great (this was in late 1990's) and was making $32/hr plus per diem, plus 10,000 towards retirement yearly. Plus full medical and dental and vision.

Was good work, but required travel. as i got older, i didnt like the travel much.

 

[rustyshakelford]

A friend of mine does great in the septic business. There's a ton of money in the maintenance of aerobic systems. I would however consider riding the next 10 years our and once you start collecting your pension do whatever you want

Brett

 

[Larro Darro]

If there is other county jobs that pay as well that you would like, that is one way to not lose the ten years you have in. But think about what you will be doing when you are fifty before you take the leap. Hands, knees, hips and just about everything else hurts more as you get older. I have an office job these days, and when the weather is 35 or 95, I thank the Good Lord for heat and air conditioning. My pay isn't great, but I do love my job. It is as close to stress free as you can get.