Career Transitions (Blog)

[Steve Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

Career Transitions

[joefredriks21]

You'd think that after building a successful business this would be something you could avoid, but I'd say im in a situation that ins't too far off the mark here where I compare the symptoms.

My 'biggie' is transitioning from software consulting (service based) to a software product development co. service = instant revenue, product = build it and hope they'll come. Obviously in the long run a the product model has a huge advantage as you decouple your time from revenue, which is the draw for me.

[Renoa]

Hi everybody,

It's my first post here and I don't know if I'm posting in the
proper place, but after I read Steve's last post I felt like
registering and posting my current troubles right away. I'll explain
you all my situation.

I'll be going abroad to study for 2 years or more (depending on my
performance), the topic I want and to the country I want. But now I
have a 4 month fellowship in my home country. I consider I'm wasting
my time because:

1.- I don't care about the topic I'm researching under this
fellowship. It's unrelated to my main topic and I don't see how it
could teach me something...maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like
running monothonic computations all day.

2.- I'm not, and I won't be, contributing to the research group I'm
in, because I don't have the specific preparation that would be
necessary for that. My supervisors also recognize this fact and they
have told me so. I agree. So the task that they have given to me is:
re-check previous calculations done by them.

3.- In the country I'll be researching and living in, a different
language is spoken. I really need to study the language. Badly.
Also, the standards are really high, so I better read more papers in
my field or they'll kick my ***.

4.- I have to spend all the fellowship money in housing, so no $
gain either.

At first I thought I could study the language and also my own topic,
while doing this fellowship. The free time I have is either the
weekend or the time in the train or bus, quite a lot of time! but I
didn't have in mind the lack of sleep and how hard is to concentrate
in public places (at least for me and now). I tried to see it as a
training, but I'm starting to worry seriously about not being able
to learn enough before departure.

However, I feel uncapable of say 'I quit' to them. The reason is
that I was supposed to start the fellowship 3 months ago, but for
some unexpected events I couldn't. So I went to them and told them
that I wanted to cancel the fellowship, but they were so kind to
wait for me 3 months. At that time I was too troubled with that
'unexpected events' that I didn't think straight and I was just
moved by their kindness. They are indeed nice people. But going back
to the point: the fellowship was meant to be from 9/07 to 12/07 and
it was not possible to change those dates. For that reason, although
I was not there, I received the stipend each month. Now I'm starting
(12/07-3/07) and if I say 'I quit', how could I give the money back?
Burocratically speaking, I can't quit because I have already
finished!.

This situation is bad for both parties. But if they don't think like
me or/and the 'burocratic irregularity' they created (unrequested,
but to make me a favor) causes big trouble to them, they will have a
really bad opinion of me and that's something I want to avoid, since
as a young researcher I'm aware of the importance of reputation,
recommendation letters and comments at workshops.

I don't know if I have explained it clear enough...man, I'm so
troubled...

When I reached this state I thought of having a talk with them and
explain the situation frankly. But when I told my friends about it
they told me I couldn't do that. 'They will think you're the
worst!'-they told me. Their advice was: it's a short time, don't put
any effort in that work, arrive late, go home early and skip work as
much as you can.

Great, so they'll think I'm an incompetent instead of a selfish
cheater/cheeky traitor.

So, where's the win-win situation?, I wonder.

[cdn2wheeler]

Hi Renoa and welcome to the boards.

Let's deal with these things one by one, in the way you've outlined them here:

1. The topic doesn't excite you. OK, fair enough; that's pretty common. My suggestion is to just do what you've agreed to do for the short time period you're committed to. It's only a few months, no big deal.

2. You feel your talents may not be used to their full abilities because you don't have the credentials yet. I imagine - though I can't be sure because I don't know all the details - that what you're in the midst of is actually a fundamental part of the credentialling process. It may not be in the actual nuts-and-bolts of your chosen profession, but you may need another professional in your field to provide a recommendation. And you'll get that through doing this work that you really aren't interested in at the moment.

3. There's a language barrier. I'm no language expert - I only speak two languages, English and profanity - but in your commute you might find time to listen to language CDs (or on your iPod or whatever). It may not be as effective as actually chatting with someone else in that language, but it may provide you with a good foundation.

4. There will be no financial gain. Well, the sense I get is that you won't be losing any $$, and while you may not walk away with hundred dollar notes bulging from your pockets, you'll enjoy a new experience which many, many people never get the opportunity to take advantage of.

You mentioned that as a young researcher, you're well aware of how important reputation and recommendations are. So that's your goal. I don't agree that you should arrive late, leave early, take time off and just plod through the days. I think this is a good opportunity to solidify your reputation, get glowing recommendations, do well.

[Renoa]

Hi cdn2wheeler, thanks for your reply. I will clarify some points:

2.- It's not that my "talents may not be used to their full abilities", it's just that I don't have the base knowledge to do anything valuable in that field. I didn't chose the research group, I applied as an undergrad and someone I've never seen put me there. And it has nothing to do with credentials. Frankly speaking, I applied before I applied the 2-year long fellowship, I was quite desperate because I didn't see any other better opportunity at that moment.

3.- I'm afraid what I need to master to pass the exams there is the written language, which is the main handicap. I'm listening podcasts and such, but it won't be enough to reach my goal.


Indeed, some other person could take my place and have a good opportunity. It's a good opportunity for someone that is interested in that field, and with top researchers. Even if I had no other choice, I wouldn't continue there towards the phD. I'd rather work in a fast-food restaurant and wait till I find a new opportunity in my field.
No matter how I look at it, it looks so wrong I'm there. Still, I don't know how to fix it. And one thing that bothers me is that these people won't see the real me. I mean, I won't make a big effort as I did in the past as an undergrad and during other research experiences I had. I'm focused (or I try to be) in the big cake.
So I wonder what would really damage my (inexistent?) reputation, and if that wouldn't be a fair price to pay in order to get time to work towards something bigger. I don't want to have regrets later.

Thanks again for reading my first post and for your fast reply.

[eternomi]

Originally Posted by Steve

If you think a problem like having no money in the bank or having an unsupportive family is enough to stop you from switching to the career of your dreams...

It does take some level of "physical" stability as well to make the transition unless you hit rock bottom and you have absolutely nothing to lose!

Stability/security is surely a subjective concept and your standard of living determines what it is for you, but in general, if your finances are a mess, then it will be much harder to muster that inner strength to make the jump.. especially if you have to get a substantial pay cut, or have to go back to school, or you do as Steve says and quit your current job before you know what the next step is. Bills won't wait until you sort things out.

As for uncertainty of the future, it doesn't really ever disappear. It only seems bigger when you don't have a history in a new line of work/experience. In fact, certainty is a retrospective illusion. Future is always uncertain (mostly due to lack of 'complete information') and looking forward always requires inner strength no matter where you are and what you are doing (even when you have a long history in a particular line of work)!

[impaul99]

Steve, it sounds like your article basically says that if you don't like your job, don't bother with any form of transition, just walk in to your boss's office and quit. If you don't do that, then it simply means you're a wuss and don't have the kahuna's to do it.

I used to think this way too, and in fact did that 10 years ago, quitting a stable job to pursue my own business. My attitude was "Whatever, who cares, I'll figure something out." Although it was an interesting learning experience for me, I don't think I'd recommend this path to everyone. There are definitely cleaner ways to make a "transition".

When you wrote this article, did you speak from personal experience? I can't remember now, but did you have a good paying stable job that you quit to pursue your video gaming company? For some reason I thought you never had a job...I thought it was school > Dexterity > StevePavlina.com as far as career path for you.

[Lola]

while those who seem to have the odds stacked against them proceed as if the obstacles weren’t even there.

Because when the odds are stacked against you you're better able to think what's the worst that can happen? It's tough to make a change? It's unknown? Uncertain? I might fall on my face?

{{shrug}} Can't be any tougher/unknown/uncertain than what I'm already dealing with.

[impaul99]

My personal view on this topic is a bit different from Steves. I'm a bit more conservative and wouldn't just quit a job as soon as you find something else you'd like to do. I've written my thoughts on the subject in these two articles:

Making the Transition to Doing What You Love for a Living | Inspired Money Maker - How To Make Money Doing What You Love

Transitioning to Doing What You Love Tip #1: Build a Warchest | Inspired Money Maker - How To Make Money Doing What You Love

I kind of see the "I Quit" thing as the easiest thing to do as far as exit strategies, but I don't think it's always the best option.

Also, from the point of view of being a manager I've seen people actually do that as well, coming to me and telling me they quit out of the blue with no prior warning. When I asked them what they are going to do, some of them quit for another job which pays a dollar more per hour which I would have gladly matched if they came and talked to me before quitting, or in some instances people have quit with no plan whatsoever of what they are going to do next. I then heard from someone they went to work for an ice-cream store a few months later because they couldn't find a job.

In other instances I've heard of people talking about starting their own businesses because they saw that their boss is an "idiot" and doesn't know what he's doing, and then when they start their business they realize it isn't as easy as they thought.

I also think it's really important to make sure you're not quitting because you're trying to run away from your own ego-self problems. That kind of thing will just follow you around from job to job, from business to business.

[Steve Pavlina]

I quit a well-paying, full-time consulting arrangement to start my own business. I quit because that gig was full-time, and it would have crippled my ability to try to start a new business, even though I could have used the money. Although it may not have looked like it, I pretty much up and quit my games biz too by stopping all new game development and discontinuing all active marketing. However, I still kept the Dexterity web site running while starting StevePavlina.com because I could maintain some of its cashflow on just an hour or two per week, so it never interfered with the new path. Even so, the business was basically coasting to a stop, and the income dropped quite a bit before the transition.

If you're stuck in a full-time job, for most people I think it's best to up and quit. Otherwise your job will suck away far too much time and energy, not to mention the fact that it will reinforce your old identity for 40 hours or more every week. That's a killer.

Some people are able to make a real commitment to a new career while still holding onto their old jobs, but that seems to be the more difficult path and often takes years. It's hard to stay motivated to work on your new career after you've already worked full-time. Most people can't do it.

Saying "I quit" may seem harder, but I think it's much easier in the long run.

[impaul99]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I quit a well-paying, full-time consulting arrangement to start my own business. I quit because that gig was full-time, and it would have crippled my ability to try to start a new business, even though I could have used the money. Although it may not have looked like it, I pretty much up and quit my games biz too by stopping all new game development and discontinuing all active marketing. However, I still kept the Dexterity web site running while starting StevePavlina.com because I could maintain some of its cashflow on just an hour or two per week, so it never interfered with the new path. Even so, the business was basically coasting to a stop, and the income dropped quite a bit before the transition.

If you're stuck in a full-time job, for most people I think it's best to up and quit. Otherwise your job will suck away far too much time and energy, not to mention the fact that it will reinforce your old identity for 40 hours or more every week. That's a killer.

Some people are able to make a real commitment to a new career while still holding onto their old jobs, but that seems to be the more difficult path and often takes years. It's hard to stay motivated to work on your new career after you've already worked full-time. Most people can't do it.

Saying "I quit" may seem harder, but I think it's much easier in the long run.

Hmm... I guess it depends on what your old job is, how it aligns with your new path, and how many hours a week your new path takes.

Just out of curiosity, how much does having your wife being a psychic help with such decisions? I mean, she can kind of act like a guide to pick the right path at the right time, and to help with the decision to quit, right?

If for example your decision to quit a job or shut down a business would lead to financial devestation, she could foresee that, no?

This year I've started working with a psychic and it's been a great help to clarify a lot of things for me. I can totally see it being a great help with career decisions like this as well.

[qed]

Originally Posted by impaul99

This year I've started working with a psychic and it's been a great help to clarify a lot of things for me. I can totally see it being a great help with career decisions like this as well.

It is my understanding that noone can tell you about the "exact" unfolding of the/your future. At any given point in time, they can tell you what is "forming", so perhaps warn you of certain things or tell you to take a particular path that is more or less leading to a better outcome, but there is always a certain level of uncertainty in their premonitions (whether they realize it or not).

Lesson: Learn to read your own signals. If you put in the time and effort, you can develop your own psychic powers. But don't take any "sign" as the "absolute future", as things are always dynamic. Of course some signs are for longer term than others, but as you spend the time to master the psychic elements, you get to realize which is which. Take the signs as clues to help you navigate each step of the way.

OTOH, I am sure it helps to have a well-developed psychic wife who can read you for free at any point in time..

[AlmostGone]

Originally Posted by joefredriks21

You'd think that after building a successful business this would be something you could avoid, but I'd say im in a situation that ins't too far off the mark here where I compare the symptoms.

My 'biggie' is transitioning from software consulting (service based) to a software product development co. service = instant revenue, product = build it and hope they'll come. Obviously in the long run a the product model has a huge advantage as you decouple your time from revenue, which is the draw for me.

I've done both, consulting and product development. IMHO, it's extremely difficult for a small shop to develop a product and then sell it. You don't have enough "foot traffic" to generate substantial sales. Put on your consulting hat and determine what a sector or company might find useful in a software package. Begin development, but while still on the table, go out and sell the package. This will tell you if your instincts were correct and give you ideas to include in your product. It definitely puts you under the gun, but as a S/W developer, that should be familiar territory.

[LeahWhitehorse]

I'm with Paul on this one.
I think it really depends on circumstances. A few years ago I walked out of a job and started my own business. I worked night and day on it and did all the research but it wasn't enough and the business never broke even. Through all that time I watched the loan I had taken out to sustain me just dwindle away to pay the bills and eventually I got to a point where it was get a job or not have a roof over my head. I took the job. I was so stressed all of the time about money that I was exhausted.

Now I'm in a position where I work 40 hours a week and feel tired when I get home but I have just enough energy to work on the things I want to work on without the fear of not knowing how I will eat the following week. I've never had a 'high fllying career' because I've only ever really wanted to do my music. In the past I didn't do my music because I was told I'd never make any money from it and I believed it (sad I know!).

My job is only just about basic wage so to get myself financially comfortable to be able to say "I quit" (i.e. have around a years income saved) would take me 11 years of living the most basic life possible (!!!) - I'm forty next year - no way!

I don't want to spend my free hours looking for yet another job that I don't want. Like Paul said in one of his articles, it's possible to use the job you have as a learning curve and I came to that conclusion myself some time ago. I realised I work with great people in a job that for several months of the year is quiet enough for me to reduce to 4 days a week. In the meantime I can get a ticket I want for practically any gig plus get to know how the live music scene works from a business angle and of course get to know names.

I've finally got to a point where 'all or nothing' doesn't work for me. I've had all the time in the world in the past but got nothing done because I was so poor I couldn't even afford to buy some new strings for my guitar - and sometimes not enough money to eat. I spent vast resources of energy trying to come up with finding a way out and ended up more depressed and unable to work at the things I really wanted to work at.

In fact, whilst financiallly it's not the greatest thing in the world, my current position means I can at least not only pay my bills but also pay to travel to Portugal (which is where I want to go and live) and pay for my classes in Portuguese.

For all the good the job brings me it's certainly not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. For the first time though I'm really realising I can achieve my dreams and I choose to see the job as something that is helping not hindering me. That in itself makes me feel happy when I get up in the morning.

Saying "I quit" is important for when a job is so bad it's destroying you of course but sometimes it's just not possible unless you have a partner or family to support you financially or a hefty amount of savings to see you through.

[KeithHandy]

Originally Posted by qed

It is my understanding that noone can tell you about the "exact" unfolding of the/your future. At any given point in time, they can tell you what is "forming"

Did you have meteorology on the mind when you wrote that?

[KeithHandy]

Saying "I quit" might be pretty effective, but at least in America (I don't know about other countries), it's helpful if you can use Jedi mind tricks to get your boss to lay you off without putting anything negative on your record. It's a little more tricky to pull off, but it helps smooth out the financial end of the transition.

[Dwane J.]

Steve has some good points in this article but I disagree with his recommendation of quitting your current job. Not having the piece of mind from a steady paycheck coupled with trying to decide what to do with your life can leave you broke and in debt.

A better idea is to: 1) make a plan for change 2) analyze other careers 3) interview people in careers that your are interested in 4) Decide to change 5) make plans to change 6) reduce/eliminate debt 7) Find a new job in your new career 8) When found, then quit!

I can't stress the importance of aligning your finances when wanting to change. You will take a pay cut.

I posted this link in another thread and feel it's relevant to this topic:

CoolPeopleCare | Making Your Passion Your Profession

I speak from experience on career changing. I have not made the leap, yet. However I've been prepping for the past 3 years. Everything is aligned and I'm waiting on new opportunity. It's frustrating and I fight the urge to quit everyday. However I know I'll be better off by being prepared.

[impaul99]

One other thing to consider is a persons ability to handle authority. I knew a few people in my life who have a really tough time handling any form of authority, mostly due to their childhood and upbringing where their parents really did not have their best interest at heart and were abusing them etc. I have found these types of individuals to be unable to get any satisfaction at all while working for someone else. To them, having a job is like hell. THe only reason they do it is because they are literally starving.

For people like this, it might be so agonizing to even come to work, that it might be better to quit and do their own thing.

On the converse of that, I have also met alot of people who are great producers when they have a boss, but when they are their own boss they become really lazy and unproductive. Not everyone makes a great boss, especially for themselves.

[qed]

Originally Posted by KeithHandy

Did you have meteorology on the mind when you wrote that?

No, but "precipitating" would have been even better.

[Erin Pavlina]

I've known people who were "planning" to quit their jobs for literally years. I've been watching as each of these people continue to say they are "going to quit" and do what they really want but they don't. In all cases, these people have at least paid lip service to what they want to do instead, but none can figure out how to accomplish it. When they do, they claim, then they'll quit. Years later, still no change.

Sometimes, and I'm not saying all the time, but sometimes you have to quit if you ever want to make the transition. Nothing gets you moving in high gear like necessity.