Career shift problems/dilemmas--part 1

While we gave a good thought to opting out of the two :-- passion or money,it might be worthwhile to even contemplate on a few sample cases here.You guys,might have come across some of them yourself,but as readers and as my audiences,I would appreciate your opinions on the following cases.

Case 1

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A finance professional with twenty years in his field, lost job in the dotcom bust and with post 9/11 downturn couldn’t find work. Rather than sit on his thumbs he went out and got a job in commercial real estate and has done really well in sales, but hates the work. He wants to get back into finance, has great finance work experience, good references, great credit, and no drug use or alcohol problems.

Headhunters have told him to take the real estate off the resume, but he thought that those important years of successful work experience (even if out of finance field) was better than a big gap. He felt his shift into real estate has been the kiss of death, and now can’t think how he can get back into the financial world.

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Well,what I think is,that it is never too late to shift into the stream of your choice,and in this case,this guy has worked for 20 years in finance.Are any HRs reading this ??What do you think,would you consider such guys of the industry willing to shift back in the stream they were initially.

Infact,that also reminds me,of the fears that people live under,while opting for a career shift.Its the fear of finding the previous career-doors closed if they are unsuccessful in their new venture.


Case 2

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I have a job offer, at over $100,000 in salary plus bonus. I will continue to travel nationally, while working from a home office as I have done for 18 years. My family has gotten use to the travel, however, they would like me to be home more. My other option is to start my own insurance office with a national company in my home town. I would work 8-5pm and be home every night, while building my business, I am just struggling with a decision.

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Well ,in this case,its totally a personal decision and there are pros and cons attatched to every career for that matter.

Points to ponder before making a career shift :-

1) What kind of work exactly would you like to do for the rest of your life ?

2) Is it necessary to change your employer or can your present employer be of some help,in providing you the kind of work that you would love to do.

3)Would you new profession need a higher degree/course/training--If yes,will you get paid in that period.Or in other words,are you financially sound to support the change.

Passion or money ??

Well,the discussion again,more or less,pertains to the same question,which perplexes most of us all through our life.

Passion or Money ?

Some careers are intrinsically more promising and paying than the others.Should one's choice be based totally upon which career is more paying.

--- I had a friend of mine,Hari(name changed) whose only aim in life was marketing.He was the one,who was really crazy about it,could go upto any limits to market out things--a salesman,by instinct.

Now,as it happens with most of us,he never knew what his real USP was, when he was at 12th and so had nothing better to do ,except to opt for a Btech or Medical entrance,opted for the former,ended up in a Btech institute of repute and finally ended up in IT.He worked there for an year , quit after that and went for an MBA(again to a very good institute).This time,he had made up his mind,to pursue marketing ,no matter what.

But ,soon after he entered the college,he discovered ,that most of the fat salary jobs were centred around finance.

Now he had two options

A) to stay with his passion,wait for a couple of years to try out his hand at marketing and find out how much it pays in the end.

B) to Pick up finance,obviously, because it seemed much more lucrative to him(in terms of the huge moolah and foreign offers)

He turns back to his seniors to have their opinion, who come up with different opinions about the same and finally taking the more lucrative course ,he ends up picking finance.

Now,fortunately ,he lands himself in a good investment bank,is able to make a big buck for himself but that longing for marketing still pesters him.....

Now the questions is :--

How radical was his choice ?? Well,keeping in mind all those financial returns,his friends always said he had made the right choice.But,somewhere deep down his heart,he still craves for his passion...........