career question.....changing next year.... (1 Viewer)

[ProudAmerican]

Well,
I feel that this site has some pretty intelligent folks on it (yeah even you liberals!!!) THATS A JOKE SO CALM DOWN.

So I figure this is a good place to ask for advice on a career change. First a little background. I have been an insurance field adjuster for the last 10 years. If you read my thread about nationwide you know I am tired of the industry and am looking to change jobs first quarter of next year. My wife and I have planned for this for the last 18 months. We have gotten completely out of credit card debt except for a couple grand. That will be paid off by the end of october. We did this so I would be able to take a pay cut. Money certainly isnt everything. I currently make right at 50k. Thats definately not getting rich, but for this area....and no college degree....its good money.

My main job qualifications are customer service, and I handle large sums of money on a regular basis. Basically I work from a laptop, out of a home office, and go to body shops, and customers homes daily to evaluate damage to their automobiles.

Anyone have any clue what kind of job I could transition to? I have thought about possibly working in a bank. Im no financial whiz by a long shot, but I figure my customer service background along with basically having an open checkbook at my disposal daily might help me in this type of job??

Keep in mind, I do not have a degree. I simply have 10 years of experience in the business world, dealing with people, money, and working in an office enviornment.

in short.......HELPPPPP!!!!!


:mrgreen:

 

[talloulou]

A change of pace that sounds exciting! Have you thought about what you'd like to do? What do you dislike about your current job? What hours do you want to work? 10 yrs experience working in an office most likely qualifies you for a variety of office jobs. However I think it's important to figure out what about your current job is a "burn out?" Also do you want another office job? Or do you have some hobbies and interests that could send you off in a totally new direction?

For example my stepfather was laid off a few years back. He was an engineer and he had worked for the same company since he graduated college, 30+ years. While looking around for a new job he realized he wasn't going to start with a new company making what he had made at the old and he was most likely going to be working for men and women who were younger than him! The whole situation was looking mighty bleak. Anyway he got a dog figuring being out of work was a great time to train a pup. Well he got so in to training this dog that it became a frisbee champ winning all kinds of contests. It wasn't long before he got another dog and got that one winning contests too. He got really in to dog training and started volunteering at the humane society to work with the animals that were up for adoption. He worked on calming them down and teaching them a few commands so they would be more adoptable. Basically this new found passion became his life and now he spends all his freetime traveling to dog shows and working at Petsmart as a dog trainer. He makes less money....I think.....but he's way happier.

I guess my point is .....don't limit yourself.

 

[ProudAmerican]

Have you thought about what you'd like to do?

I really dont know. Thats part of my problem.

What do you dislike about your current job?

I hate insurance companies period. I feel they are underhanded, sneaky, corrupt, and unethical.
I also dont like dealing with peoples property. ie, their cars. They have a wreck, and fail to read the "fine print" in their policies, and then they are angry with me when they dont get what they feel they deserve in the settlement.

However I think it's important to figure out what about your current job is a "burn out?"

the two above things are my main reason for looking for a change.

Also do you want another office job? Or do you have some hobbies and interests that could send you off in a totally new direction?

I love many things. Translating those into a money making venture is another story.

thanks for the input. Im definately not giving up on this.