Professional Prestige & Fulfillment | Asian American Poll

PROFESSIONAL PRESTIGE & FULFILLMENT
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:09:58 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

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WHAT YOU SAY

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I like to consult the fine minds on this forum.
I am in a situation where I am 34+, have a Bachelors and a post-graduate degree, am working as a Senior Systems Engineer (just a fancy euphemism for a programmer) in a well-known, very stable Fortune 100 company. However, there is a field which I am very interested in (commercial aviation).
The training is brief for this job (about a couple of months), however the starting compensation is LOW but increases with time and experience. However I have a great deal of interest and knowledge in this field, and feel that with hard work and good fortune I should do quite well.

It almost certainly would moving around the country for a couple of years or so until,
one gets a post at one of the bigger airlines. I am not married, have no dependents and the only reason I have not purchased any property or tied myself down is to give me the freedom to move around as opportunities arise.

Do you think I should stay in a very stable but sort of so-so job or make should I chance a switch to a riskier but much more inspiring career that I have yearned for some time now.
As the adage goes, nothing chanced, nothing gained. I'd hate to get older and then rue not having given it a good shot. Having said that, I also realize that job satisfaction does not pay the bills. Any advice is appreciated.
Philip (in two minds) Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at 14:16:35 (PST)

Job Woes,

What about a computer certification?

All you have to do is pass a few tests.

See http://www.certmag.com for more info

I've see teenagers get an MCSE, start at 30K, and earn 60K within 5 years
roger chen Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 19:50:20 (PST)

Job Woes,

Do you want to radically change your career? Or are you just unhappy at the current company?

You could look for the same position in another company. Then there would be no need for retraining.

The only guarantee quick money scheme I know about is blood donations and sperm/egg donations.

Other than that you will have to ask yourself what you really enjoy in life and see if their are opportunities in that field.

Random suggestions without input:

You can be a private financial consultant and do people tax with very little training. Telemarketing is always looking for a voice. Fortune telling is another low training field (charisma).
AC dropout Tuesday, January 22, 2002 at 12:48:10 (PST)

I hate my job right now. I am sick of white trash getting to do whatever they want to do, and me being delegated the crap work. I should be happy to have a job, and I am working diligently, but somedays, I really hate working. So here I am again, asking ... what is a good career for someone who needs retraining. I do not have a university degree, but I am academically inclined. The only problem is that I would have to start my whole life over again and I am nearly forty. My life sucks. I need to make some money!!
Job Woes Monday, January 21, 2002 at 16:26:32 (PST)

Valley Chinese Dude,

Good points. As long as people do not equate unhappiness with money or position, it is not a problem in my book.

But even a ranch in montana requires money to purchase and run.

AC dropout Friday, January 18, 2002 at 10:54:22 (PST)

AC Dropout,

thanks again for good advice. I'll try to ask around (discreetly) to see if I am blowing this out of proportion. I actually did get my performance review not too long ago, and it was quite positive, so I probably don't have anything to worry about.
Job Woes Tuesday, January 15, 2002 at 19:21:42 (PST)

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