Can the same path lead to a new destination?
In searching for a new career, I've come across a couple opportunities for jobs very similar to what I've had in the past, but in a completely different industry. Now, I didn't exactly enjoy my past work experiences, and I was hoping to change BOTH the job type and the industry, but is it ok to settle for a similar job if a lot of its other aspects (industry, location, environment) are vastly different?
Currently I'm leaning towards pursuing this opportunity because overall I think it would be a change for the better. I just have to remember that the experience is up to me, and that I need to take more control this time, and make sure I get what I want out of it vs. just taking what is given.
Your thoughts?
Currently I'm leaning towards pursuing this opportunity because overall I think it would be a change for the better. I just have to remember that the experience is up to me, and that I need to take more control this time, and make sure I get what I want out of it vs. just taking what is given.
Your thoughts?
4 Comments:
Just stumbled across your blog, and as another quasi-lost 20 something, let me just say that I've been asking many of the same questions you have this past year.
Conclusions that I've come to:
1) Money Matters
I don't care how much you enjoyed your work in college (I certainly did!); in the real world pain=paid. Career ladders exist not to prove how smart someone is, but rather how much pain they've put up with to get there, ie how trapped they are. The irony of the real world is that specialization continues to pay better and better until the point your specialization is no longer relevant. It's your own responsibility to balance being a generalist with more job safety and a specialist who may get paid more for a brief period of time.
2) Location matters
Barring knowledge of a particular area, the next best thing that will keep you employed is knowing lots of people. Pick a location where you can appreciate the local culture and meet lots of people you trust. They will probably get you your next job.
So yeah, the most logical thing to do may be taking the same kind of job in a location you like better.
By
Anonymous, at 11:40 PM
I like #2: "Pick a location...and meet lots of people you trust. They will probably get you your next job."
Related to that, I'm taking a trip out to Cali towards the end of Oct...wish me luck.
By
Anonymous, at 1:27 AM
Where are now? I decided on Seattle: http://www.jordanrule.com/culture/creative-class-migration
I'm at Amazon now.
By
Anonymous, at 4:48 PM
Jordan,
Great blog, challenging and enjoyable read.
Currently in Chicago (which I think has some creative class potential...we've got 37signals, Threadless, an IDEO office, etc...
thinking about submitting to manifest destiny and heading west to Cali, Portland, and/or Seattle.
How'd you handle making the leap to Seattle without having a job first? Did you have any connections to Amazon prior to the move?
By
Adam, at 6:03 PM
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