I am 42 years old and have been a job-hopper for as long as I can remember. The longest job on my resume lasted 6 years, and I was able to stand that only because it was part time and I was going to school.
I graduated with my Bachelors degree 4 years ago at age 38, and since then I have had 6 jobs! Right now I am working as a receptionist at a local community college. I have been doing this full time for about 7 months, and I am ready to jump again! I don't get any satisfaction out of dealing with the public, my boss is nice but a severe control freak, and the hours are rigid.
I am depressed and wondering what my next move should be--go back to school AGAIN, try to find another job AGAIN, or just stick it out. The college just laid some people off, and right now there are no other jobs I can move into there. I seem to do better with 2 part time jobs, but until 2014 I won't be able to get health insurance if I do that.
My family is really disappointed in me since I can't seem to find myself. I just can't bring myself to tell them that I am thinking of quitting yet another job. Well just needed to vent, thanks for listening.
JM, here's an idea: go to school WHILE working. Are you interested in academic administration? You can get a master's in that while working your current job, and you could move up or sideways.
IMO, there is nothing wrong with quitting a job you hate. Life's too short.
I've been a job hopper most of my life as well. The longest I've stayed at the same job was three years. My mother once said that I change jobs like she changes her underwear. Nice. Thanks.
I'm easily bored. After a couple of years, I want to move on and find something else. I hate that about myself but it's true and I don't think there's anything wrong with it.
HOWEVER, I am also in my early 40's and I think at this point, I have to find something I enjoy and stick with it.
I feel your pain and I totally understand where you're coming from. I'm not going to offer any advice since it's your life and your decision . I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in this situation.
I would be a lot like you if I hadn't found my current job. It is always different and challenging, and the big reason that I chose it is because I rarely get bored, and if I do then I complain and they move me.
I wouldn't suggest going back to school unless there was something in particular that you really want to take. Or are you able to get free tuition because you work for the community college? In which case you might keep working and take a couple courses if there are any that interest you.
I really don't know what to suggest because it depends upon what else is out there and how much you can tolerate your current job, but life is too short to hate something. The problem is, life is also too short to be without income! Still, I wouldn't worry about what others think so much as what you want.
I've resigned myself to not liking my job. Work sucks. Most jobs are boring and tedious. Bosses tell you how careless you are. You eat shit and smile.
My honest advice is don't bother changing jobs unless it's unbearable. All jobs suck. If you keep changing jobs it just gets harder and you get more and more disappointed. Find a job with a decent rate of pay and retirement benefits. Then suck it up.
I guess I'm a tad cynical about work life. To say the least.
If you are just bored with your job I'd say stick with it. If you have some insane boss or unrealistic demands it is probably time to move.
Is it possible you are in the wrong line of work or are working below your abilities? You say you have a BA, but are working as a receptionist. Did that job require a BA? If you are doing work that isn't challenging it can lead to job dissatisfaction. Maybe reevaluate what you strengths and goals are and find work that suits that.
Good luck to you and keep us posted.
(07-28-2010 11:16 AM)catsnotkids Wrote: [ -> ]I've resigned myself to not liking my job. Work sucks. Most jobs are boring and tedious. Bosses tell you how careless you are. You eat shit and smile.
My honest advice is don't bother changing jobs unless it's unbearable. All jobs suck. If you keep changing jobs it just gets harder and you get more and more disappointed. Find a job with a decent rate of pay and retirement benefits. Then suck it up.
I guess I'm a tad cynical about work life. To say the least.
I think I would tend to agree with you. All jobs suck.
There are very few people out there that love what they do and do what they have to do to survive and make a decent wage.
It really depends what your expectations are.
For myself- I have kept my financial responsibilities very low.
That gives me a lot of flexibility in life for jobs.
Mostly, I have been able to get part-time jobs and contracts in the hobbies that I am childishly enthusiastic about because it is rare to find people who have that depth of knowledge and level of enthusiasm about these very rare areas of interest.
This allows me to share my enthusiasms with others and make some coin at it.
I have never had to pursue work in these areas, employers just find me.
Several people are encouraging me to "Go Pro" ( ie make efforts to get more money and hours ) in these areas of work, but I am not in a hurry to do so.
So- yes!
My jobs are mostly very fun!
I've been a job-hopper all my life. The problem is it was never my decision to be job-hopping. I always had a goal of getting a decent paying job and sticking with it until retirement. It's too bad the companies I worked for never had the same vision. Every job eventually ended up being temporary. I've spent half of my adult life either being unemployed or taking a countless number of job retraining programs-have a big stack of college diplomas that are only useful as toilet paper. I've lost track of the number of jobs I had, mostly because so many were very short term. I've pretty much given up hope of being at a job until retirement. My career goal now is working at a place long enough to be eligilble for unemployment insurance when the axe falls.
I've never had ther luxury of being able to job-hop, either. I'd love to be able to find one of those fancy career jobs now that I have my Master's, and I've been stuck in terrible jobs and unable to find a new one to replace it. I was laid off the best-paying job I had to date, as well.
I haven't stayed more than 5 years at one job.
Right now I'm reading Po Bronson's What Should I Do With My Life? The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question. He interviewed a lot of people and they shared their stories, but also he writes really well and insightfully. He jumped around in different jobs until he decided he really wanted to be a writer.
The biggest problem in the USA is that you have to have health insurance. This severely restricts most of us with regard to job choices, unless we have a spouse who can cover us through their job.
I lived for years doing low-wage work but now it's not an option - I need health insurance. I feel like a rat in a maze most of the time - driving to work with all the other rats in the morning. Sitting in a cube. But what's the alternative?
I can totally relate. I've hopped from job to job my entire life...then even returned to school to pursue an entirely different educational direction and continues to change jobs, lol. I believe that average person changes careers 5-6 times?
Attitudes towards working/jobs are so different today. My parents were the get-a-job and-stay-there-for-life people. At the same time, they were treated well (esp. my dad), had amazing benefits, etc. so there really wasn't a reason to switch occupations and move around.
I know that I have stated on this site before how much I hate it when people advise, "Go back to school" (because it isn't always a great solution and can be very expensive), but have you considered classes at a Tech school? Meaning, taking a few classes or a short course to specialize in skills that can enhance all of the skills and knowledge that you already possess? Kinda gives you that 'edge' over others.
Yes, jobs suck...and as CNKs stated, many jobs are tied to health insurance, but even health benefits are being stopped for many employees. My sister has her PhD in PT and has worked for a facility for almost 5 years and her boss is jerking them around w/ their health insurance. Cutting back bennies, cutting back hours which are tied to benefits, etc...
Many people I know are only using Catastrophic Health Insurance plans. Others are using clinics w/ sliding scales, others are ordering their meds online.
Jeaniemarie, I understand how stressful this is, but try not to let others voiced disappointment in YOUR life decisions bother you too much (if at all).
Remember, it is always easier to tell someone how they should live their life....
(07-29-2010 03:25 PM)beachbum Wrote: [ -> ]I can totally relate. I've hopped from job to job my entire life...then even returned to school to pursue an entirely different educational direction and continues to change jobs, lol. I believe that average person changes careers 5-6 times?
I've gone through phases in my life where I was going from short term temp job to temp job where I worked at 3 or 4 places per year.
Quote:I know that I have stated on this site before how much I hate it when people advise, "Go back to school" (because it isn't always a great solution and can be very expensive), but have you considered classes at a Tech school? Meaning, taking a few classes or a short course to specialize in skills that can enhance all of the skills and knowledge that you already possess? Kinda gives you that 'edge' over others.
Been there. Done that (on a few occasions). My opinion is it's a total waste of time. Once you have entered the workforce, employers don't give a damn about pieces of paper from any tech school. The one and only thing employers look for on a resume is your work history. Nothing else matters. Each time I completed a job training course, I would run around flashing my diploma to employers. The only response I got from employers is the same question: "How many years of experience do you have in ....? We're lookong for someone with a minimum of five years of experience in ..." Employers would rather hire a high school dropout who has experience in the field instead of someone who went back to school to get training. In most of the retraining programs I took, it was very rare for a graduate to actually get a job in a related field, and the few who did got a job is because of having the right connections.
I tend to think that the perception employers have of an adult in their 30's and older who end up going back to school for whatever reason is that of someone who isn't capable of handling and keeping a job. When a recession/down turn in the economy doesn't affect your job, it's hard to imagine why other people would be affected by it. Anytime I talked to an employer or agency after taking a job retraining program, they would quiz me about the purpose of going back to school rather than to continue pursuing a job.
(07-28-2010 11:16 AM)catsnotkids Wrote: [ -> ]I've resigned myself to not liking my job. Work sucks. Most jobs are boring and tedious. Bosses tell you how careless you are. You eat shit and smile.
My honest advice is don't bother changing jobs unless it's unbearable. All jobs suck. If you keep changing jobs it just gets harder and you get more and more disappointed. Find a job with a decent rate of pay and retirement benefits. Then suck it up.
I guess I'm a tad cynical about work life. To say the least.
Man oh man this is depressing but it is so incredibly true.
In some cases, going back to school can result in losing EI benefits. At the very least, there will be a delay in payment as your request for benefits while attending school (when not directed to do so) is reviewed.
I know people are only trying to be helpful but when they suggest that I take a course or go back to school while unemployed, I want to scream. I can't afford it. Taking a course of any kind can cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 - depending on the course. I'M UNEMPLOYED. I HAVE NO MONEY. What part of unemployed don't you understand???!!!
(08-08-2010 11:16 AM)NKBurlington Wrote: [ -> ]In some cases, going back to school can result in losing EI benefits. At the very least, there will be a delay in payment as your request for benefits while attending school (when not directed to do so) is reviewed.
I know people are only trying to be helpful but when they suggest that I take a course or go back to school while unemployed, I want to scream. I can't afford it. Taking a course of any kind can cost anywhere from $100 to $1000 - depending on the course. I'M UNEMPLOYED. I HAVE NO MONEY. What part of unemployed don't you understand???!!!
The problem is not only the cost of going back to school, but in your case (referring to some of your previous posts), school might be a detriment to finding another job.
What I mean is that in some of your earlier posts, you said you came close to getting a job, but the problem was the employers weren't willing to pay you a livable wage. If you go to school and have another piece of paper to flash to them, they'll think you want even more money now that you have a new diploma.
If you do what I've done a few times-go back to school and get retrained in a totally different field-there's the problem with not having actual work expereience in that field, while employers are looking for someone with a minimum of 5 years experience in that field.
But then again, you might one of the few lucky ones who gets a break and lands a job in whatever field you choose. I suppose either case is a moot point since you can't afford to go back. Not only do you have to have the money to go back, but you must have the drive and determination to go through with it and complete the course. That's not that easy to do once you've been in the workforce and have the taste of getting a paycheck.
Not only that Dog, but if I decided to switch careers entirely, I'd be starting at the bottom of my new profession and I'd more than likely, be making shit money until I get more experience.
Rock. Me. Hard Place.
ETA:
Sorry. I know this thread isn't about me. Didn't mean to highjack. I just wanted to respond to Dog Holliday.
Are there no assistance programs in Canada to pay for college? One of the reasons why American colleges do even better during a recession is because unemployed people go back to update their skills -- and if you're out of work, one's options for financial aid just explode! Scholarships in particular -- and people tend to forget that there ARE scholarships out there, and you don't have to be a teenager to get them, and you don't have to reach automatically for the student loan.
There are options PG but to be honest, it's not worth the red tape.
Even my "counsellor" at the employment assistance office said don't bother. The wait times for approval alone could be longer than six months and then another six months wait time for the course that you want. I'm on E.I. so everything has to be approved by the government if I want to continue to receive E.I. There are just too many people in the same boat and it's overloading the system.